South Central Reporter

HSHS Holy Family Hospital issued the following announcement on Oct. 30.

As our communities across Illinois are experiencing much higher rates in COVID-19 cases, we are modifying our current visitor restrictions for HSHS Illinois Hospitals in the best interest of our patients and colleagues. The following changes will go into effect on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese and Highland and HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville.

There will be no visitors allowed to our inpatient units, except for:

• Women and Infants Center patients (St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese only) may have ONE support person during the entire stay – must be the same person.
• Pediatric emergency and inpatients under the age of 18 may have TWO parents or guardians present.
• All patients nearing end-of-life will have special arrangements made on a case-by-case basis.
• Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disability or cognitive impairments may have one support person.

Emergency department: No visitors. Exceptions will be made for pediatric patients and those with intellectual or developmental disabilities or cognitive impairments. If the patient becomes admitted, inpatient restrictions would apply. COVID-19 positives or persons under investigation (PUI) would not have visitors unless special circumstances are necessary.

For outpatient appointments and/or procedures, including pediatric patients, ONE approved adult support person may be with the patient for the duration of their procedure or clinical visit. If the patient becomes admitted, inpatient restrictions would apply.

“We understand this no-visitor restriction is extremely difficult, especially for those who have loved ones in the hospital with severe health issues,” said Gurpreet Mander, HSHS Illinois chief physician executive. “But along with many other hospitals across the nation, we are taking this step to keep our patients, colleagues and community as safe as possible.”

Approved visitors must be over the age of 18 and will continue to be screened upon entering the facility for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure.

Family members and loved ones should provide nursing staff with their contact information and may call the hospital’s main number to check on their loved ones. Inpatient units will have room numbers visible from outside if family members would like to do window visits. Virtual video visits with your loved one are also an option.

Original source can be found here.