11/21/2020
The Wyoming County Community Health System updates hospital patient visits
HOSPITAL PATIENT VISITATION UPDATE 11/20/20:
Effective: November 23, 2020
The health and safety of our patients, visitors, employees, and our communities remain a top priority at WCCHS. Therefore, with the increasing cases in Wyoming County, as well as surrounding counties, WCCH will be revising our current visitation guidelines. Thank you for your ongoing understanding and cooperation.
We understand the importance of patient interaction with their loved ones and the role visitation plays in a patients’ emotional wellbeing and therefore in their recovery. We encourage families to consider communication through phone and video chat as their primary means of communication. The Patient and Family Services department can help set up the video call. If an in-person visit is desired, the following precautions are in place to protect our community, patients, families, staff, and visitors, against the potential risk for acquiring and/or the spread of infectious disease.
The visitor must:
• Be limited to one adult (18 years of age or older) person per visit, except as determined by the hospital.
• Undergo temperature and symptom screening upon arrival. If a visitor does not pass the screening process or does not follow hospital protocols, they will not be allowed to visit. Behavioral Health visitors will be screened upon arrival at the Behavioral Health entrance on the backside of the facility, Door “M.”
• Perform hand hygiene (with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or the use of soap and water).
• Wear a mask at all times. Visitors who fail to wear a mask will be asked to leave the facility.
• Practice social distancing and remain at the bedside throughout the visit unless directed by hospital staff, except to use the restroom.
Visiting hours may vary by unit and will be at the discretion of the healthcare providers:
• General inpatient units (Med/Surg 3rd Floor and ICU) and Behavioral Health: limited to 1 visitor between 4pm and 6pm, daily. Visitors will be allowed under special circumstances, for patients in imminent end-of-life situations and patients for whom a support person has been determined essential to the care of the patient.
• Emergency Department: No visitors allowed at this time with the exception of the special circumstances listed above for the inpatients. If your loved one is admitted to the hospital between 4pm and 6pm, you may check in at the screening station, to see if visitation is allowed. Otherwise, you must return the next day during visiting hours. Pediatric patients may have both parents as essential support persons.
• Labor and Delivery: limited to 1 designated support person and if applicable, a doula. The support person must have a temperature check every 12 hours.
• Same-Day Surgery and Procedures: limited to 1 visitor, starting at patient arrival through the intake process and visitor will be contacted to rejoin the patient for the discharge process.
• Outpatient Clinics and Services: No visitors allowed at this time unless the patient needs wheelchair or communication assistance. Scheduling of patients must be done to limit time in waiting rooms due to space constraints and social distancing requirements.
We understand that this is a particularly stressful time. Please know that we remain wholly dedicated to supporting you and your family during this challenging time. If you have any questions about these changes, please contact (585) 786-2233. Thank you for observing these important measures to promote a safe and healing environment for all.
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