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Level Red Visitation Guidelines

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The following visitation guidelines go into effect Monday, November 22, 2021

For the safety of our patients, visitors, staff and the broader community, visitation is restricted to Level RED due to the high risk of transmission of COVID-19 and Influenza. Recognizing the importance of having trusted Care Partner support at the bedside, Valley Health has established the guidelines below.

Care Partners must be 18 years of age or older. All Care Partners must comply with Valley Health’s masking, distancing and PPE requirements.

Definitions:
  1. Care Partner: A Care Partner is a family member or trusted friend designated by the patient to be an active part of the care team. Care Partners participate in patient education and physical care, and provide emotional support. The presence of Care Partners positively contributes to the well-being of the patient, improves management of chronic and acute illnesses, enhances the patient’s experience, ensures continuity of care, and reduces hospital readmissions.
  2. Procedural Support Person: A family member or trusted friend, designated by the patient as their primary contact and support person while the patient is having their procedure.
  3. Social Visitor: Any visitor who is not designated as a Care Partner, Care Team Member, or Community Clergy.

Level RED Visitation Guidelines

Adult Inpatient

Adult Inpatient Confirmed or suspected COVID-19

End of Life/Comfort Care

Critical Care

Emergency Department (ED)

Behavioral Health Services

Pediatric

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Labor and Delivery

Mother Baby

Surgical Services

Heart & Vascular/Non-invasive and Invasive Cardiology

Acute Rehab

Critical Access Hospital: Transitional Care patients (ONLY)

Persons with a Disability

Clergy

Family Meeting (all units)

Imaging Services

Infusion Center

Outpatient Diagnostic Center

Cardiac Rehab

Post Anesthesia Care Unit/AM Admissions (PACU/AMS)

START Clinic

Surgi-Center at Winchester Medical Center (on the WMC campus)

Valley Health Surgery Center (off the WMC campus)

Wound Care

Transition Center

Endoscopy

Heart Failure Clinic

EECP Therapy (Enhanced External Counterpulsation)

Type of Visit Number of Care Partners

Adult Inpatient

  • TWO (2) Care Partners will be designated by the patient and remain the same throughout the admission.
  • Only ONE Care Partner permitted in the hospital at a time.
  • Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted to stay the night.
  • Care Partners may alternate presence at the bedside TWICE within a 24-hour period. Switch must occur outside of the facility. Transition at the bedside may occur if needed to ensure the safety of the patient.
  • No social visitation.

Adult Inpatient Confirmed or suspected COVID-19

  • TWO (2) Care Partners will be designated by the patient and remain the same throughout the admission
  • Care Partners may alternate presence at the bedside TWICE within a 24-hour period. Switch must occur outside of the facility. Transition at the bedside may occur if needed to ensure the safety of the patient.
  • Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted to stay the night.
  • No social visitation.

End of Life/Comfort Care

  • TWO (2) Care Partners will be identified and remain the same throughout the admission.
  • A limit of TWO (2) persons in the room at a time. Care Partners must switch in lobby or public areas.
  • Confirmed or Suspected Covid-19 Patients: TWO (2) persons in the room at a time.
  • Exemptions may be permitted for children on a case-by-case basis by manager or designee.
  • Community Clergy who are Valley Health badged and fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are permitted to visit non-COVID patients.
  • Virtual visitation options are available through Valley Health Chaplaincy for non-vaccinated and/or unbadged clergy.
  • Community Clergy Exception for End of Life (EOL)/Comfort Care Patients: All Community Clergy will be permitted for ONE visit with patient and family to administer last rites, other religious or end of life customs.

Critical Care

  • TWO (2) Care Partners will be designated by the patient and remain the same throughout the admission.
  • Only ONE Care Partner permitted in the hospital at a time.
  • Care Partners may alternate presence at the bedside TWICE within a 24-hour period. Switch must occur outside of the facility. Transition at the bedside may occur if needed to ensure the safety of the patient.
  • Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted to stay the night.
  • No social visitation.

Emergency Department (ED)

  • ONE (1) Visitor is permitted to provide support, transportation, care continuity, and receive education regarding patient’s care.
  • If volumes necessitate, local ED leadership may ask visitors to remain in their vehicle until the patient is roomed.
  • ONE (1) Visitor for Covid-19 positive patient permitted by manager or designee dependent on facility’s ability to manage.
  • Upon admission, visitor may be identified as a Care Partner following current visitation policy.

Behavioral Health Services

  • No Care Partners or social visitors permitted.

Pediatric

  • TWO (2) Care Partners are designated and remain the same throughout the admission.
  • Care Partners are permitted at the bedside at the same time.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

  • TWO (2) Care Partners are permitted and remain the same throughout the admission.
  • Care Partners are permitted at the bedside at the same time.

Labor and Delivery

  • TWO (2) Care Partners are designated and remain the same throughout the admission.
  • Only ONE (1) Care Partner at the bedside at a time, except during delivery where TWO (2) Care Partners are permitted.

Mother Baby

  • TWO (2) Care Partners are designated and remain same throughout admission.
  • Only ONE (1) Care Partner may spend the night, other Care Partner must leave at end of visiting hours.

Surgical Services

  • ONE (1) procedural support person may be with the patient until patient is taken into prep, provided there is enough space for physical distancing.
  • If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to Valley Health visitation level.

Heart & Vascular/Non-invasive and Invasive Cardiology

  • ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
  • Procedural Support person must wait in outside of hospital.
  • If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to Valley Health visitation level.

Acute Rehab

  • ONE (1) Care Partner designated and must remain same throughout the admission.
  • Visitation hours Monday- Saturday 5:30-7:00 p.m. & Sunday 1:00-4:00 p.m.
  • Visitors will check in at front desk upon arrival
  • No social visitation.
  • Family training will be held. All participants must follow patient safety measures.

Critical Access Hospital: Transitional Care patients (ONLY)

  • TWO (2) Care Partners will be designated by the patient and remain the same throughout the admission.
  • Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted in the hospital at a time.
  • Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted to stay the night.
  • Care Partners may alternate presence at the bedside TWICE within a 24-hour period. Switch must occur outside of the facility. Transition at the bedside may occur if needed to ensure the safety of the patient.
  • No social visitation.

Persons with a Disability

  • A disabled patient, or their designee, defined as the patient’s guardian, authorized representative, or care provider, is allowed to identify TWO (2) "designated support persons," referred to as Care Partners, to accompany the patient during an admission.
  • Care Partners will remain the same for the duration of patient's stay.
  • Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted at the bedside.
  • Even under visitation restrictions, if care lasts longer than 24 hours, the disabled patient may have a second designated Care Partner at the bedside.
  • Care Partners may alternate presence at the bedside TWICE within a 24-hour period.
  • Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted to stay the night.
  • Care Partners are permitted access to patient 24/7.
  • Care Partners must switch outside of the facility. Transition at the bedside may occur if needed to ensure the safety of the patient.
  • No Social Visitation.

Clergy

  • Community Clergy who are Valley Health badged and fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are permitted to visit non-COVID patients, with the following exceptions: Behavioral Health and Women’s & Children’s units remain restricted.
  • Virtual visitation options are available through Valley Health Chaplaincy for non-vaccinated and/or unbadged clergy.
  • Exception for End of Life (EOL)/Comfort Care Patients: All Community Clergy will be permitted for ONE visit with patient and family to administer last rites, other religious or end of life customs.

Family Meeting (all units)

  • Family meetings for coordination of care and decision making are permitted and will be arranged by the care team.
  • The care team will provide the front desk with a list of family members who will be attending.

Imaging Services

  • ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
  • Procedural Support person must wait outside of hospital.
  • If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to Valley Health visitation level.

Infusion Center

  • ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
  • Procedural Support person must wait outside of hospital.
  • If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to Valley Health visitation level.

Outpatient Diagnostic Center

  • ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
  • Procedural Support person must wait outside of facility.
  • If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to Valley Health visitation level.

Cardiac Rehab

  • ONE (1) Care Partner allowed to escort patient to department, but must wait in outside of hospital for all sessions.

Post Anesthesia Care Unit/AM Admissions

(PACU/AMS)

  • TWO (2) family members over the age of 12 once the patient has been in PACU for 2 hours, and only for 10 minutes.

START Clinic

  • ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
  • Procedural Support person must wait outside of hospital.

Surgi-Center at Winchester Medical Center (on the WMC campus)

  • ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
  • Procedural Support person must wait outside of hospital.

Valley Health Surgery Center (off the WMC campus)

  • ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
  • Procedural Support person must wait outside of facility.

Wound Care

  • TWO (2) Care Partners will be designated by the patient that are permitted to be with the patient during outpatient visit.
  • No social visitation.

Transition Center

  • ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
  • Procedural Support person must wait outside of hospital.

Endoscopy

  • ONE (1) Procedural Support at bedside only for patients needing assistance with Activities of Daily Living or unexpected results and/or instructions.
  • No social visitation.
  • If patient admitted, Care Partner process initiated.

Heart Failure Clinic

  • ONE (1) Care Partner may escort and remain in exam room with the patient during the clinic visit.

EECP Therapy

(Enhanced External Counterpulsation)

  • ONE (1) Care Partner may escort and remain in exam room with the patient during the procedure.
  • Limit to ONE patient per session