Emanuel Medical reinstates visitation

Effective March 1, 2021, the local hospital has lightened its previous visitation restrictions put into place as a result of the pandemic. Though the policy is subject to change, Emanuel Medical Center has taken precautions to protect and maintain the health and safety of patients and staff during COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the virus into the hospital and thereby announces the following visitation reinstatement plan for visitors during hours of PBX operations:

• From 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday.

• From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

• All inpatient visitors must use the front entrance only.

• All visitors will be screened.

• All visitors who pass the screening will receive a VISITOR pass and will be masked.

• Visitors must be 18-years-old or older.

• Only 1 visitor per patient at a time. That visitor must remain the same person throughout the duration of stay that day.

• The visitor must remain in the patient room when in the facility.

There will be no visitors allowed in rooms of patients who are COVID-19 positive and/or pending COVID-19 test results.

In regard to end of life visitiation, four visitors will be allowed (two at a time) for one hour. One of these will be allowed to remain with the patient until death.

ER visits will be limited to one visitor, who will be allowed to remain with the patient receiving care—but at the discretion of the staff and/or physician.

One visitor will be allowed with ambulatory surgery patients for support and escort.

One parent/guardian will be allowed to remain with pediatric patients. A second support person, parent, or grandparent can be designated to relieve the one parent in times of prolonged hospitalization.

The no-visitor rule will remain in place for the intensive care unit as well as the senior behavioral health unit.

Note this policy will be subject to change.