FMCH revises pandemic visitor restrictions

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FORT MADISON - As Fort Madison Community Hospital moves toward increasing access to patient care, visitor restrictions have been revised.

Visitor restrictions were implemented at the height of COVID-19 planning to protect patients, staff and community from exposure to the virus.
Effective June 1, 2020, the following visitor restrictions and rules will be in force at FMCH.
•All visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms at one of the screening entrances
•Visitors must be at least 18 years of age
•Any visitor who fails the COVID-19 screening will not be allowed into the facility
•All visitors must wear a mask at all times in the facility
•Each patient may only have one visitor per day
•Visitors may not leave and return in the same day
•Permitted visitors must stay in the patient’s room during their visit or a designated visitor area, such as the surgical waiting room.

For visitors of inpatients, visiting hours are from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. with the following restrictions.
•One visitor per patient, per day, during visiting hours only
•Visitors must remain in patient's room
•Actively dying patients, patients who are at the end-of-life where death is imminent may have two visitors and one Clergy member.
•No visitation for patients who are in the COVID-19 Unit or patients considered under investigation for COVID-19. Support will be provided via telephone or video visits.
•No visitation for patients in isolation precautions.
•For inpatient overnight surgeries, one visitor per patient, per day. During surgery, visitor must remain in Ambulatory Surgery patient room. Visitors may visit patient in their inpatient room during visiting hours only.

Visiting hours do not apply to the following areas:
•Obstetric inpatients may have one dedicated partner or birth support person to accompany them.
•Patients 17 years old and younger may have one parent or guardian. This person must remain with the patient for the entire visit.
•Emergency Department patients may have one visitor, who must remain in the patient’s room for entire visit (may not come and go). The Emergency Department may allow additional visitors based on clinical patient situation.
•Same Day Surgery patients may have one visitor, who must remain in the patient’s room for entire visit.
•Outpatient Area (Annex / Cancer Care) patients are not allowed visitors unless one of the exceptions below is met.
•FMCH Clinic patients, adult patients requiring caregiver, or child 17 and under can have one visitor/guardian who must remain in patient's room entire visit.
•Women's Center patients may bring one visitor for ultrasound appointment only.
•Radiology, one visitor allowed for obstetrical ultrasounds.

Exceptions that require approval for visitation outside of visiting hours by the Provider and Administration include:
•Patients with disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care, may have one visitor overnight.
•Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays (where caregiver provides safety) may have one visitor overnight.
•Any other special circumstances approved by Unit Director, Administration and Provider.

There are currently three entrances open at FMCH. All patients and visitors must enter through one of these entrances to be screened:
•Main Clinic Entrance: 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., M-F; 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Saturday
•Emergency Department Patient Entrance- 24 hour access/ 7 days a week
•Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Center Entrance: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

FMCH Clinics are opening up more appointment times based on health care concern and specialty. This includes expanding the number of surgeries and procedures being done. Telehealth visits continue to be offered for patients who do not want to come onsite for a face-to-face visit. Patients are encouraged to call their health care provider to discuss the best option to fit their health care needs.

More information can be found at www.fmchosp.com.

COVID-19, FMCH, Fort Madison Community Hospital, Pen City Current, visitors

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