Level Yellow Visitation Guidelines
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The following visitation guidelines go into effect Monday, March 14, 2022.
For the safety of our patients, visitors, staff and the broader community,
visitation is restricted to
Level Yellow due to the 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Social Visitor: Any visitor who is not designated as a Care Partner, Care Team Member,
or Community Clergy.
Level Yellow 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
- BOTH Care Partners are permitted at the bedside.
- Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted to stay the night.
- 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.
- ONE (1) Care Partner is permitted in the room 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 may occur in lobby or public spaces only.
- Transition at the bedside may be permitted, if needed for the safety of
the patient
- NO social visitation.
|
End of Life/Comfort Care
|
- TWO (2) Care Partners will be identified and remain the same throughout
the admission.
-
Non-COVID Patients
- Family and friends openly permitted.
- TWO (2) persons are allowed at the bedside at a time, and may switch in
non-care areas.
- Exemptions may be permitted for children on a case-by-case basis by manager
or designee.
- Community Clergy are permitted for End of Life spiritual support.
- Virtual visitation options are also available through Valley Health Chaplaincy.
-
Covid Positive Patients
- The TWO (2) designated Care Partners may be in the room at the same time.
- Community Clergy are permitted for End of Life spiritual support.
- Virtual visitation options are also available through Valley Health Chaplaincy.
|
Critical Care
|
- TWO (2) Care Partners will be designated by the patient and remain the
same throughout the admission
- BOTH Care Partners are permitted at the bedside.
- Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted to stay the night.
- NO social visitation.
|
Emergency Department (ED)
|
- In order to provide support, transportation, care continuity, and receive
education regarding patient's care, ONE (1) Visitor is permitted.
- If volumes necessitate, local 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 to manage.
- Upon admission, visitor may be identified as Care Partner following current
visitation policy.
|
Behavioral Health Services
|
- No Care Partners or social visitors allowed.
|
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 designated at admission and remain the same throughout
admission.
- Care Partners are permitted at the bedside at the same time.
|
Labor and Delivery
|
- TWO (2) Care Partners are designated and must remain the same throughout
admission.
- Care Partners are permitted at the bedside at the same time.
- ONE (1) additional person may be added for delivery only.
|
Mother Baby
|
- TWO (2) Care Partners are designated in Labor and Delivery and must 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 allowed to be with patient after completion
of AM Admission process.
- Procedural support person permitted in designated waiting area.
- If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according the
VH 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 designated waiting area during procedure.
- If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to VH
visitation level.
|
Acute Rehab
|
- TWO (2) designated Care Partners that remain same throughout the admission
- 1 Care partner can visit each day
- Visitation hours Monday- Saturday 5:30-7:00pm & Sunday 1:00-4:00pm.
- Visitors will check in at front desk upon arrival
- No off floor visits permitted
- 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 at the bedside.
- Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted to stay the night.
- Care Partners may alternate presence at the bedside throughout the day.
Switch may occur in lobby or public spaces only.
- Transition at the bedside may be permitted, if needed for 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.
- BOTH Care Partners permitted at the bedside.
- Only ONE (1) Care Partner permitted to stay the night.
- Care Partners may alternate presence at the bedside throughout the day.
- NO social visitation
- Care Partners are permitted access to patient 24/7.
|
Clergy
|
-
Community Clergy who are Valley Health badged and
up to date with all Covid vaccinations, as well as Community Clergy who are Valley
Health badged and vaccinated but have not received the Covid booster,
are permitted, subject to masking requirements.
- Virtual visitation options are also available through Valley Health Chaplaincy.
-
End of Life/Imminent Death: Community Clergy are permitted regardless of vaccination status, and must
only visit the designated patient.
|
Family Meeting (all units)
|
- Family meetings for goals of care discussion 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 in designated waiting area during procedure.
- If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to VH
visitation level.
|
Infusion Center
|
- ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
- Procedural Support person must wait in designated waiting area during procedure.
- If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to VH
visitation level.
|
Outpatient Diagnostic Center
|
- ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
- Procedural Support person must wait in designated waiting area during procedure.
- If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to VH
visitation level.
|
Cardiac Rehab
|
- ONE (1) Care Partner is permitted to arrive with patient
- Care Partner will remain in waiting area during exercise session.
- Care Partner is not permitted to attend classroom orientation session.
|
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 in designated waiting area during procedure.
|
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 in designated waiting area during procedure.
- If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to VH
visitation level.
|
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 in designated waiting area during procedure.
- If patient admitted, Care Partner designation will occur according to VH
visitation level.
|
Wound Care
|
- TWO (2) Care Partners will be designated by the patient that are permitted
to be with the patient during outpatient visit.
- ONE (1) social visitor permitted.
|
Transition Center
|
- ONE (1) Procedural Support person allowed to be with patient in pre-procedural area.
- Procedural Support person must wait in designated waiting area during procedure.
|
Cancer Center
|
- One Care Partner designated by the patient is permitted.
- All patients and Care Partners are required to wear a mask while in the building.
- Waiting in Cancer Center lobbies is not permitted.
- No limited group educational events will be held.
- At the oncologist's discretion a Care Partner may accompany the patient
into the exam room or may be required to participate virtually.
|
Endoscopy
|
- ONE (1) Procedural Support person remains at bedside throughout the stay.
- Procedural Support person should refrain from eating, drinking, and moving
about the facility.
- Re-entry not permitted.
- NO social visitation.
- If patient admitted, inpatient Care Partner process initiated.
|
Heart Failure Clinic
|
- ONE (1) Care Partner is permitted to escort and remain in exam room with
the patient during the clinic visit.
|
EECP Therapy
(Enhanced External Counterpulsation)
|
- ONE (1) Care Partner is permitted to escort and remain in exam room with
the patient during the procedure.
- Limit to one patient per session
|
|