Who can visit? Lexington hospitals change visitor policies as COVID-19 curve flattens
Several Lexington area hospitals, including University of Kentucky HealthCare, Baptist Health Lexington and CHI Saint Joseph Health, relaxed their patient visitor restrictions Monday.
While restrictions have been loosened to allow for one or two guests, depending on the patient’s situation, strict guidelines are still in place to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus at each hospital. Those include requirements for wearing masks, screening of guests to make sure they don’t show COVID-19 symptoms, and guidelines for where guests can go while in each hospital.
Baptist Health Lexington has implemented daily visiting hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The emergency department permits one visitor with patients, but the visitor must wait outside until it is deemed appropriate for them to come in. Visitors will have to be health screened and wear a mask at all times.
Maternity patients can have one visitor over 16. They must be health screened and wear a mask. The neonatal intensive care unit is restricted to parents/partners only.
Surgical patients can have one guest. The guest has to be screened, wear a mask at all times, practice social distancing and stay in the waiting room or patient room.
Outpatient and imaging patients who are under 18 or disabled can have one visitor.
End-of-life patients can have one or two visitors with approval. Their visitors must wear proper personal protection equipment and stay in the patient’s room when possible.
Patients at physician’s offices who are under 18, in end-of-life care or require assistance can have one visitor as well.
Patients in critical care who aren’t COVID-19 positive can have one or two visitors for less than two hours. Visitors are encouraged to limit the number of items they bring with them, according to Baptist Health’s website.
Patients who are in isolation, have COVID-19, or are in the cancer center cannot have visitors, except under case-by-case exceptions.
Visitors have to use Entrance B at the main hospital, Entrance E at the emergency department and Entrance G or the pedway from the North parking garage at North Tower.
UK HealthCare allowing both parents for patients under 18
UK HealthCare’s policy allows for “one designated family member or other individual” to accompany or visit most patients, according to a news release. Patients who are positive for COVID-19 are the only ones who can’t have a guest.
The policy is effective for Chandler Hospital, Kentucky Children’s Hospital and UK Good Samaritan Hospital. Visitors can also accompany patients to UK HealthCare clinic appointments.
“We continue to ask for your cooperation and assistance in complying with restrictions and our visitor guidelines,” said Dr. Mark F. Newman, executive vice president of health affairs. “We appreciate your understanding during this time that the safety and well-being of our patients, employees and our community is our greatest concern and priority in making these decisions.”
Some patients can have up to two guests. Patients under age 18 can have two parents or guardians with them, and dying patients who aren’t positive for COVID-19 can have “limited visitors for the length of time approved by the attending physician,” according to a news release.
COVID-19 patients can have a guest if their condition worsens and the doctor agrees a family member should visit.
There will be designated entry points for patients and visitors at UK’s health care facilities. Everyone entering will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, and if they exhibit symptoms, they will not be allowed to enter.
There are still guidelines in place to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Visitors have to wear a face mask at all times, remain in the patient’s room at all times (except to get meals), limit the number of personal items brought into the hospital, avoid spending time in public areas of the hospital and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer every time they enter or leave a patient’s room.
Masks will be given to visitors who don’t have one when they show up. UK HealthCare is still monitoring COVID-19 and will adjust its restrictions according to the virus’ danger, according to the news release.
Saint Joseph’s zero visitor policy still applies to doctor’s offices
Saint Joseph has changed its policy to allow one designated visitor for patients admitted to the hospital, patients in labor and delivery in maternity units, and patients in end-of-life care. One parent or guardian is allowed for patients under 18.
Visitors have to be screened at entrances, just like patients and employees, according to Saint Joseph’s website. Everyone entering the building is asked to wear a mask at all times, wash their hands frequently while inside and stay in the patient’s room if they are a visitor.
The “zero visitor policy” is still in effect for physician offices and clinics. There are exceptions for patients under 18, or patients who require assistance.