Mercy Health-Lourdes Hospital in Paducah and Baptist Health Deaconess in Madisonville recently announced they will expand their respective visitation policies in response to a decline in COVID-19 cases in western Kentucky.
According to a release, there are no restrictions as of Wednesday on visiting non-COVID-19 inpatient units at Mercy Health, barring some exceptions. Visitors must be at least 15 years of age and wear face masks, and they will be screened for COVID-19 upon entry. Infants up to 6 weeks of age in a covered carrier can accompany the patient when necessary.
Patients are allowed two visitors each in the maternity ward and newborn intensive care unit (NICU), the medical and surgical unit and physician practices and clinics. Mothers may have two visitors while in labor and one in post-partum.
Patients are allowed one visitor each in lobbies, offices, diagnostic areas, the surgery and ambulatory surgery centers, and the critical care unit (CCU). Patients are advised to call the CCU or hospice before visiting either due to special restrictions. Visitors are not allowed in the urgent care lobby or behavioral health unit (BHU).
Although clergy may visit most inpatients without restriction, they may only visit end-of-life patients after receiving approval by a charge nurse in COVID units.
According to a release, visitation at Baptist Health Deaconess locations as of Monday in Hopkinsville, Powderly, Princeton, Dawson Springs and Madisonville has been extended to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Visitors must be at least 16 years of age and wear face masks, and they will be screened for COVID-19 upon entry.
Patients are allowed one visitor each in the CCU, emergency department, the cancer center, the same-day surgery unit and the sports medicine and rehabilitation unit. Patients are allowed two visitors each in the maternity ward and NICU, the medical and surgical unit and physician practices and clinics. Certain restrictions apply.
Visitation is not allowed in the BHU unless requested by a psychiatrist. Waiting rooms and lobbies are also closed. Exceptions may be made for NICU and end-of-life patients at the unit leader’s discretion.
Other Regional Hospitals Expand Visitation
Jennie Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville updated its visitation guidelines on Oct. 25. Visitors must be at least 16 years of age and wear face masks. One healthy adult must accompany minors and adult patients who are physically dependent or vulnerable.
Patients are allowed one visitor each in the emergency department, surgical waiting room, intensive care unit (ICU), maternity ward and NICU. End-of-life patients may be allowed visitation outside of the posted visiting hours.
Visitors of Jennie Stuart are not permitted for outpatient infusions, laboratory and radiology procedures, COVID-19 patients or in the BHU.
