Beebe Healthcare updates visitor restrictions, face covering rules

Beebe Healthcare is updating visitor restrictions to allow inpatients at the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus one well visitor per day from 2 to 7 p.m. Emergency department patients in Lewes and at the South Coastal Emergency Department will continue to be permitted one well visitor. Pastoral visits will also now be allowed during those hours and will not count as the patient’s one visitor for the day.

No visitors will be allowed for COVID-19 patients and patients under suspicion of COVID-19 except for special circumstances.

“With our COVID-19 inpatient numbers continuing to move in a positive direction, we feel that it is now safe for healthy community members to visit their loved ones at the Lewes campus,” said Dr. David A. Tam, Beebe Healthcare president and CEO. “Beebe has strict infection-prevention policies in place to create a safe environment for patients and now visitors. We ask for your continued support and understanding in adherence to the guidelines as we all work together to keep our community safe.”

Visitors are asked to remain with the patient as much as possible to limit movement around the hospital. Visitors may also be asked to leave if the care team deems it necessary for any clinical reasons.

Team Beebe continues to assist patients with video conferencing and phone calls so they can connect with family members and others.

Face coverings are still required at all Beebe care sites and must meet certain requirements based on recent research, medical studies, and the latest CDC guidance.

If visitors come to a care site wearing neck gaiters, bandanas, masks with an exhalation valve, or masks with only one layer, a guest relations team member will offer them an approved mask from their supply, which must be worn for the duration of the visit.

Anyone coming to a Beebe care location is expected to wear a mask or face covering, and should be prepared to have their temperature taken and answer COVID-19 screening questions, such as whether they have been sick or been around others who might be sick. They will notice Plexiglas dividers at some stations and visual cues on the floor to encourage physical distancing. Visitors may be asked to call when they arrive, or complete registration in their car. Continued limitations on numbers of visitors are still in place.

For more information about Beebe Healthcare, visit www.beebehealthcare.org.