Following Ohio’s state of emergency declaration, Kettering Health Network–in conjunction with the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association (GDAHA) and its member hospitals–have strengthened the region’s existing visitor restriction policy for hospitals in 11 counties (Auglaize, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby, and Warren). Visitor restrictions for COVID-19 have been developed with the support of GDAHA’s COVID-19 Taskforce and input from our region’s infection control experts.
Visitor restrictions will go into effect on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 9 a.m. These restrictions on visitation during COVID-19 will be implemented consistently across Kettering Health Network to protect our patients and ensure their well-being, safeguard our hospital workforce, and limit the community spread of COVID-19.
When implemented, the restrictions will be as follows:
- No visitation by anyone who is ill with seasonal flu or COVID-19 symptoms including: shortness of breath, coughing, fever, chills, headache, vomiting, sore throat, muscle aches, or diarrhea.
- No visitation by anyone under the age of 14.
- Patients will be allowed one visitor per day, as long as that person is over the age of 14. This includes emergency department patients, as well as surgical and procedural patients. Exceptions include:
- Maternity patients may have one partner and one birth support person, for a total of two visitors.
- Patients who require assistance due to mobility, interpretation, or health care decision making may have one additional support person, for a total of two visitors.
- When visiting a patient, visitors will be asked to primarily remain in the room with the patient.
- Exceptions can be made for end-of-life situations and other special circumstances and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Because of the increased risk of having complications with COVID-19, the elderly and those with chronic health problems should reconsider whether visiting patients in the hospital is necessary.
If a visitor refuses to comply, hospital police will be asked to escort the visitor off the premises. COVID-19 visitor restrictions will be rescinded when the state of emergency declaration is lifted for the State of Ohio.