BOONE, Iowa—The Boone County Hospital has announced an update to the current visitor restrictions, implement because of the coronavirus pandemic.  The restrictions were updated Thursday.

INPATIENT UNITS (MSP & Family Birth Center)

· Visiting hours will be limited from 9am – 6pm.

· One visitor at a time will be allowed. This includes the support person for the laboring patient until after the birth of the baby.

· Two parents/legal guardians are allowed for patients under the age of 18.

· All visitors will continue to follow screening procedures; anyone with symptoms of a respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat) will not be permitted to enter the facility.

· All visitors must wear a face mask while visiting. Visitors who fail to agree to wear a mask will not be permitted to enter the facility.

· Visitors must be 18 years of age

· Visitors will not be allowed for Covid-19 positive patients or PUI patients unless the patient is imminently dying.

· A patient is receiving end of life cares – Visiting hours will not apply. Two visitors will be allowed at a time; visitors may rotate at the discretion of the clinical care team. Visitors under the age of 18 may be allowed at the discretion of the clinical care team.

ER/SDS

· Emergency Department (ED) – One visitor will be allowed in the patient’s room (as clinically allowed) to support the care of the patient or in the ED waiting area until the patient is discharged home OR is admitted to an inpatient nursing unit. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the care team.

· Surgical Services – One visitor will be allowed with the patient in the pre-surgical area, in waiting rooms through the duration of the patient’s surgery, and in the post-surgical care area (as clinically allowed) until the patient is discharged home OR is admitted to an inpatient nursing unit.

The following restrictions will remain in place for the physician clinics and outpatient departments:

No visitors are allowed except in the following circumstances:

· When one of these exceptions is met only one adult (18 of age and over) designated caregiver will be allowed.

· This restriction does not apply to interpretation services as defined by BCH/BCFM policy.

· In all cases, the designated caregiver must pass screening guidelines and wear a face mask.

· The designated caregiver is needed to assist the patient with mobility (w/c, walker).

· The patient is a minor under the age of 18 years. One parent / designated care giver / guardian at a time will be allowed in the patient’s room to support care of the patient.

· The patient is suffering from confusion or delirium. One designated caregiver will be allowed in the patient’s room to support the care of the patient.

· Final decisions regarding access will be made at the discretion of the patient’s attending physician in coordination with the clinical care team.

We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult for you and will make every effort to support interactions between family and friends. Thank you for your cooperation in this effort.

(contributed release, BCH)