Clark Regional Medical Center EASES VISITOR RESTRICTIONS
Limited visitation now available for most patients as elective and non-urgent procedures gradually resume
Winchester, KY (March 21, 2020) – Clark Regional Medical Center announced today that it is transitioning from a zero-visitor protocol to limited visitor restrictions as the hospital gradually resumes elective and non-urgent cases and services at its facilities. The decision was made as current projections continue to indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region and after careful review of state and federal guidance. The updated restrictions, which will now allow most patients to have one visitor or support person per day, have been implemented effective immediately.
“Our hospital’s top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community,” said William Haugh, interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Clark Regional Medical Center. “We continue to monitor closely the prevalence of the virus in our community as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients, and we feel confident that it is safe to begin allowing limited visitors again at this time.”
As part of the updated visitor restrictions, inpatients are now limited to one well visitor per day between 1 to 8 pm, including one designated support person for obstetric patients. Surgery patients are limited to one well visitor during registration and until the start of the surgical procedure. Once the surgery begins, visitors will be asked to wait in their car. If social distancing cannot be maintained in the surgery waiting room, visitors may not be permitted. All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask and an armband while in the facility. Visitors who do not pass the screening at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free. Visitors are not allowed for outpatient appointments, ER visits, high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised or patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19, including the transitional care unit (TCU). The following exceptions include:
- Pediatric patients may have one WELL parent or guardian during their hospital stay.
- Patients who are at the end-of-life may have up to two WELL visitors for the length of time cleared by the attending physician.
- Patients with altered mental status, cognitive impairment, developmental delays or disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care, may have one WELL visitor.
Clark Regional Medical Center continues to screen everyone who enters the facility for symptoms consistent with COVID-19, per CDC guidelines. For additional updates on how the hospital is working to maintain a safe and supportive environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit ClarkRegional.org.
About Clark Regional Medical Center
Clark Regional Medical Center, part of LifePoint Health®, provides high-quality healthcare services in the east Central Kentucky region and is dedicated to Making Communities Healthier®. A 79-bed, acute care facility, Clark Regional Medical Center offers a wide range of both inpatient and outpatient services, including emergency medicine, cardiology, general surgery, oncology/hematology, orthopedics, radiology, rehabilitation services, transitional care, women’s services, women’s imaging (including 3D mammography) and wound care. The hospital has been recognized for its commitment to quality care and patient safety by national organizations such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American College of Cardiology (Chest Pain Center accreditation), American College of Radiology, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety and the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Additionally, Clark Regional Medical Center has earned designation as a LifePoint Health National Quality Leader for its ongoing efforts to transform its culture of safety and achieve high standards of quality care, performance improvement and patient engagement. For more information about Clark Regional Medical Center, please call 859-745-3500 or visit ClarkRegional.org. For more information about LifePoint Health, visit www.LifePointHealth.net.
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