South Central Reporter

HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital Breese issued the following announcement on Aug. 9

Due to a rise in COVID-19 positivity rates in local communities, HSHS St. Joseph's has updated its visitor guidelines to allow only one (1) visitor per patient, with some exceptions noted below. Updated guidelines go into effect Monday, August 9.

Additionally, masks are still mandatory. The CDC still requires that masks be worn in all health care settings at all times and visitors should also expect to be screened upon entry.

Effective Monday, August 9, the updated guidelines are as follows: 

Emergency department:

• Adult patient: One visitor who must stay in the patient’s room for duration of visit.
• Pediatric patient: Two parents and/or guardians who must stay in the patient’s room for duration of visit.

Inpatient units:

• Adult inpatients: One visitor per patient per day during the hours of 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Pediatrics inpatients: Two parents or guardians allowed.
• Women and infants center: Two support persons who must stay the same for the duration of the hospital stay.
• End-of-life patients: Two visitors at a time.

Surgery (inpatient and outpatient): One visitor in the patient room for the duration of the surgical procedure.

Outpatient diagnostic and therapy services: One visitor may accompany the patient or wait in designated waiting areas.

Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disability or cognitive impairments: One support person.

*COVID-19 positive patients or those being tested for COVID-19 will not be allowed visitors.

NO VISITORS ALLOWED for patients under investigation for possible COVID-19 diagnosis and those confirmed positive for COVID-19.

These guidelines are subject to change at any time to address the health needs of the communities served by the hospitals. Approved visitors/support persons must be over the age of 18 and will continue to be screened upon entering the facility for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure. Support persons who have any of the following symptoms or are not feeling well will NOT be allowed to visit:

• Fever or chills
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Loss of sense of taste or smell
• Exposure to a known COVID-19 person in the past 14 days
• If the support person had COVID-19 he/she may not come to the hospital until 14 days after onset of symptoms or positive COVID-19 test AND at least 24 hours fever free with improvement in symptoms.

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. Virtual video visits with your loved one are also an option.

Original source can be found here.