CHI Mercy Health Update On Guidelines For Visitors

The ongoing safety of patients, caregivers, and the community remains CHI Mercy Health’s top priority as they face the COVID-19 pandemic. Mercy has implemented guidelines effective June 15, 2020 for all visitors (people that aren’t patients or Mercy staff) desiring to enter their facilities. They have created these temporary steps to keep the care environment as safe as possible while also recognizing the value visitors bring to patients and their loved ones. CHI Mercy Medical Center welcomes the following visitors per day: -One individual visitor per patient per day during visiting hours. (does not include Family BirthPlace). Please also keep in mind that patients also need rest and quiet and plan your visit accordingly. -One support person for mothers in the Family BirthPlace unit. -A maximum of two parents / guardians for children. One caregiver or attendant of a patient needing assistance due to a disability. -Family member(s) of a patient undergoing end-of-life care, as approved by the nursing supervisor and/or unit director (not to exceed four). -Children under 12 are not permitted. -Visiting hours are from 07:00 am to 07:00 pm. Please note that the cafeteria and coffee cart are closed to visitors. To help ensure the safety and health of patients and caregivers all visitors must: -Be in good health. NO visitors will be allowed who: -Refuse to comply fully with all infection control requirements. -Have active, suspected, or presumptive COVID-19. -Have any of the symptoms being screened for at entry. -Complete a screening at the patient/visitor entrance. The screening will consist of visual observation, measurement of body temperature and medical questions about: -Symptoms including, but not limited to, fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, and body aches. -International travel within the past 14 days. -Cruise ship travel in the last 30 days. -Pending tests for COVID-19. -Known, presumptive, or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. To help ensure the safety and health of patients and caregivers all visitors must: -Enter and exit only through the designated patient/visitor entrance. -Follow visiting hours. -Use provided hand sanitizer or wash hands with soap and water for twenty seconds before entrance into the facility and frequently throughout stay. -Maintain physical distancing from others while in the facility. This includes staying at least six feet from others while in the facility and avoiding congregating in any public space. Please note: Currently the cafeteria and the Espresso cart are closed to visitors. -Wear appropriate protective equipment. All visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering while in the facility and in the patient’s room. Visitors should bring their own face coverings or masks. -Use of good respiratory etiquette. -Limit movement directly to and from the entrance/exit to the patient’s room. Moving forward, Mercy will continue to monitor the risk of COVID-19 closely and will adjust their visitor guidelines as appropriate to keep patients, visitors and caregivers safe.