Beebe, Bayhealth implement visitor restrictions
With a priority of the health and safety of patients, visitors, medical staff, team members and visitors, and with guidance from their infection prevention departments and state and federal agencies, Beebe Healthcare and Bayhealth have instituted visitor restrictions as information rapidly changes about the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.
Patients admitted to Beebe Healthcare’s Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus hospital will need to specify two essential visitors such as spouse, parent, caregiver, domestic partner, support person, or adult child 17 and over, who will be permitted to visit them while in the hospital. The names of the two essential visitors will be recorded in the hospital’s system.
Only those two essential visitors will be permitted to visit the patient for the duration of their stay. Other visitors will not be permitted to enter the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus to wait in any area of the facility including waiting rooms, cafeterias or hallways.
Identified essential visitors will be screened upon arrival to the hospital and may not be able to enter if they are deemed potentially infectious. Children 16 and under will not be allowed to visit.
For patients in Beebe outpatient areas, which include: Emergency Department, Same Day Surgery, Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Diagnostic Services at the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus; surgery and endoscopy centers, Tunnell Cancer Center, rehabilitation services centers, diagnostic imaging centers, Lab Express centers, Beebe Medical Group physician practices and walk-in centers, patients may check in with no more than two visitors. Those two visitors will be screened prior to entry. Only one of those two visitors may accompany the patient to the treatment area.
At Bayhealth Hospital, Kent and Sussex campuses, visiting hours are restricted to 12 to 8 p.m.
No visitors under the age of 18 are permitted unless they are the parents of hospitalized children. This includes infants and siblings across all areas of the hospitals.
One visitor is allowed per patient. Only one person may accompany a patient into the hospital. Additional visitors must wait outside the building and not in the lobby or waiting areas.
Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for end-of-life situations, laboring mothers, neonatal intensive care units, pediatric patients, and for those serving as caregivers for patients, and undergoing same-day surgeries and procedures.
Visitors must check in at the front desk at all locations for a health screening and to receive a wristband identifying them as an approved visitor. Individuals who have symptoms of concern will not be able to visit patients. Visitors may also be asked to show identification.
Those who are feeling well and do not have to visit are asked to stay home.
Following are details of the visitor restriction policies for Bayhealth Medical Group practices, outpatient and ambulatory care locations:
Patients with scheduled appointments should contact their provider or outpatient area if they are feeling any symptoms, including fever, cough or shortness of breath, for guidance and self-isolation. These patients should not enter the facility without first contacting their provider.
If patients are required to enter these locations, they will be limited to one visitor or care partner for necessary care coordination or patient assistance. If a care partner isn’t necessary, the patient’s companion is encouraged to wait in the car. Those who are feeling well and do not have to visit are asked to stay home.
People experiencing respiratory symptoms are urged to call ahead. It is strongly recommended that they not go directly to their doctor’s office or emergency department without calling first, since many can isolate at home without being evaluated in person.
For more information, go to www.BeebeHealthcare.org and www.Bayhealth.org.
