ASHLAND — Due to an increasing cases of COVID-19 in Ashland, UH Samaritan Medical Center has adapted its visitor policy to again restrict visitations.
The updated policy states no visitors will be allowed in the Emergency Department, except in special cases such as minors or if the patient is clinically unable to actively participate in their care.
COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients receiving end-of-life care, may have two visitors, one at a time, with approval by the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer or their designee.
When arriving at the patient unit, the visitor will receive help in donning the appropriate personal protection equipment, including isolation mask, face shield, gown and gloves.
A staff member will accompany the visitor during the visit, which will be limited to 20 minutes. The visitor must avoid close contact with the patient.
At the end of the visit, the staff member will assist the visitor with removing the personal protective equipment, followed by handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. The visitor must immediately depart from the hospital.
The Birthing and Women’s Unit is limited to one adult visitor during the labor and delivery period and the same one adult visitor for the remainder of their hospital stay. Maternity patients younger than age 18 may have two visitors: the baby’s father and a parent/guardian.
Further exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for special needs only, and require approval from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or designee.
The changes came in a Nov. 17 update of the hospital’s visitor policy, communications and development manager Kathy Witmer said.
Patients on general medical floors, inpatient acute rehab floors, inpatient psychiatric floors and intensive care units may have one same adult visitor per day. Surgery patients may also have one same visitor on the day of surgery just before and immediately after surgery. After surgery, patients may have one same visitor per day.
Additional information and latest updates can be found at uhhospitals.org. Restrictions may change based on the prevalence of COVID-19.
Further visitor requirements include:
– All visitors must wear masks. UH has implemented universal masking guidelines, which means everyone in all facilities — including patients, employees and visitors — must wear an isolation mask. We will provide this special mask to those who do not have one. Visitors who cannot or will not wear a mask at all times will not be allowed to enter or remain in any UH facility.
The visitor shall wear a mask at all times, including in the patient room. The visitor shall remain in the patient’s room throughout the visit, except for brief periods of respite (e.g. food delivery/cafeteria).
When the visitor leaves the patient room, the visitor is expected to perform hand hygiene, observe physical distancing, wear a mask and wash hands thoroughly before re-entering the patient’s room.
– All visitors must be screened. Every person — including patients, employees and visitors — coming to any UH facility will be screened as they enter the facility. Any visitor who screens positive may not enter the UH facility.
To pass visitor screening at all facilities you must: Have temperature screen of less than 100.0 degrees and be free of flu-like symptoms — no cough, no shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain or sore throat.
If the visitor leaves the hospital property, they will be re-screened upon re-entry.
