Upstate hospital system restricts visitors amid COVID-19 surge

Upstate hospital system restricts visitors amid COVID-19 surge

Prisma Health will only allow visitors in certain circumstances

Updated: 5:45 PM EST Jan 8, 2021

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, Prisma Health is restricting visitors at all of its facilities.“We know that being with families is itself a healing therapy and so we wrestled with this decision. But we believe this measure is needed in the wake of the growing post-holiday surge of COVID-19, especially given the growing community spread,” said Dr. Eric Ossmann, an emergency medicine physician who is Prisma Health’s chief of preparedness and leads its COVID-19 response systemwide. Prisma Health said its staff will work with patients to keep them connected to family through virtual visits. Limited visitation will be allowed under the following circumstances:Pediatric patients, with only one care partner allowed 24/7 except for a one-hour daily transition period in which both parents or legal guardians may be present for physician discussions and joint training Obstetric patients who are pre-term, in imminent labor, laboring, high-risk and post-partum may have one care partner Patients undergoing sedating procedures such as colonoscopies may have one care partner Case-by-case approval is required for visitation for those requiring additional assistance from care partners, such as for patients with dementia For emergency department care, the ED team will use their discretion in the interest of patient care in the treatment of children, older adults and any patients with special needs Up to three visitors may be allowed in end-of-life situations Patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are not permitted to have visitation except under special case-by-case approval Patients who do not have COVID-19 and are not suspected of having it can receive religious service from the clergy of their choice, so long as it does not disrupt their care, Prisma Health said. Patients with COVID-19 may still receive religious services, but the attending doctor should be made aware of the request.In physician offices and ambulatory offices, visitation will be limited to one care partner for obstetric patients and oncology patients except in infusion areas. Pediatric patients are allowed one care partner, except for infants under two months of age who may be accompanied by both parents. One care partner is allowed for adults with special needs. Care partners are not allowed to accompany a patient for laboratory or radiology services unless the patient needs extra help, Prisma Health said.All visitors will be screened and required to wear a mask.