Beginning Wednesday, officials with Baptist Health Madisonville say visitation is being suspended for most patients in the hospital and medical group practices and allowing only essential caregivers to accompany patients for medical appointments or tests. They add there will be very limited exceptions.
Christy Littrell, chief nursing officer at Baptist Health Madisonville, says the community is again experiencing a significant surge in the COVID positivity rate. She says, this change, while difficult, is for the increased safety of our patients and to aid in protecting the health of their staff so they can continue to be healthy to provide care for those in need. She adds they must keep patients and staff safety as their top priority.
According to officials, the main hospital entrance will be closed to all visitors and no floral deliveries can be accepted at this time.
Visitation will be stopped for all hospital inpatient units including the Critical Care Unit. The Merle M. Mahr Cancer Center will only allow one essential caregiver if necessary and must be pre-approved by the unit director.
At the hospital, officials say one essential caregiver is allowed for:
– Patients under 18 (one parent or guardian)
– Women in labor (one birthing partner)
– NICU (both parents)
– End-of-life patients (one clergy member upon request)
– Hospice of end-of-life patients (family visitation on case-by-case)
– Dependent patients who require assistance (one caregiver)
– Emergency Room patients (one support person if the patient is non-COVID)
Hospital officials indicate those allowed to accompany a patient will be screened prior to visitation and must wear a mask at all times in the facilities.
For Baptist Health Medical Group offices and outpatient facilities, a single essential caregiver will be allowed for:
– Children under age 18 (one parent)
– Dependent adult who requires assistance (one caregiver)
– OB/GYN office visits (one support person)
For the latest information on Baptist Health Madisonville policies and response to COVID-19, visit BaptistHealth.com or follow Baptist Health Madisonville on social media.
