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Baptist Health Madisonville begins phased approach to ease visitor restrictions

May 18, 2020

(Madisonville, KY) May 15, 2020 — Baptist Health Madisonville is modifying visitor restrictions to allow one visitor at a time for most patients beginning Monday, May 18.

(Madisonville, KY) May 15, 2020 — Baptist Health Madisonville is modifying visitor restrictions to allow one visitor at a time for most patients beginning Monday, May 18.

In March, the hospital began limiting visitation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then suspended visitation last month in accordance with state recommendations. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has now eased those guidelines to allow for some visitation.

“We know that our patients look forward to visits from their loved ones while they are in the hospital, and we want to facilitate that, while still taking appropriate precautions to protect our patients and staff,” said Robert Ramey, Baptist Health Madisonville president. “The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority, and we must ensure that by requiring everyone to wear a mask, and to continue to limit the number of people allowed to visit and encouraging communication through other means.”

Visitor restrictions are part of the infection control measures taken by Baptist Health for the protection of patients and staff. Anyone who enters a Baptist Health facility must wear a mask at all times, and be subject to a COVID-19 screening which includes having a temperature taken.

The new visitor guidelines for Baptist Health Madisonville are:

  • Inpatient Non-COVID Patients/Critical Care:  One visitor is allowed at a time following appropriate screening and masking protocols.  Regular visits are limited to two hours or less per visitor.  These visitors should park in the Same Day Surgery parking lot and enter through the screening area at the Emergency Department entrance.  We ask that visitors remain in the patient room at all times during their visit.  Waiting rooms are for patient use only. 
  • Maternity and NICU: Visitation is limited to one birthing partner that should remain the same throughout the duration of the mother’s stay.  NICU is limited to the parents of the baby only.
  • Palliative Care or end-of-life patients: Patients at end-of-life may be allowed up to two visitors.  With prior arrangement, these visitors may enter outside of the posted visiting hours.
  • Outpatient Oncology:  Due to the increased risk of infection in this patient population, no visitors will be allowed in Oncology settings unless the patient is disabled or otherwise not able to attend their appointment without their support person.
  • Surgery patients: One visitor will be allowed to accompany a patient for surgery or other invasive procedures.  The visitor is to wait in their car until notified that they should be screened and able to enter the patient’s room.  Once the patient is taken for their procedure, the visitor will return to their car until notified it is time to re-enter the patient’s room.
  • COVID-19 patients and those patients being screened for COVID-19 will not be allowed to have visitors unless the patient’s condition warrants a restricted visit related to the patient outcome. All means for patient/family communication including electronic means (such as videoconferencing and phone calls) will be facilitated by the staff and physicians.

 

 

Visitors must:

  • Wash their hands before and after a visit
  • Wear a mask at all times
  • Stay two hours or less when visiting a patient room
  • Use the designated entrance and exit in the Emergency Department.

Visiting hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Those with fever, runny nose, body aches, or respiratory symptoms should not visit. Those under age 16 may not visit at this time.

Highly encouraged is communication with hospitalized loved ones by using personal communication devices to talk, text, or videoconference.

Baptist Health Medical Group

Baptist Health Medical Group, which includes medical offices and Baptist Health Urgent Care locations, will continue with its current restrictions. Patients are asked to come alone to appointments, wear a mask and expect to be evaluated for COVID-19 in advance of their arrival.

“Masks play a pivotal role in helping block the spread of COVID-19, especially from asymptomatic carriers,” said Wayne Lipson, MD, Chief Medical Officer with Baptist Health Madisonville.  “The more people who wear a mask, the fewer viral particles making it into the space around them, decreasing exposure and risk.”

A single companion is only allowed for:

  • Patients under age 18
  • Those who are physically dependent  or vulnerable and require assistance
  • Hospice or end-of-life patients

Baptist Health Virtual Care, which includes urgent care video visits, scheduled video appointments with your primary care or specialty provider, and e-visits comprised of an online symptom-specific questionnaire, may be options for care for those who don’t feel comfortable coming into a medical office. You must have a MyChart account, our secure, online patient portal, to access Virtual Care.

To sign up for MyChart, visit MyChart.BaptistHealth.com. For more information on Virtual Care, go to BaptistHealthVirtualCare.com.