(KLFY) — Many hospitals are altering their visitation guidelines due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Here’s a list of local hospitals’ guidelines:
Ochsner Lafayette General:
Please note that, for your safety and the safety of our patients, masking is strictly enforced for all
employees, patients, and guests and those unwilling to comply will be asked to leave – no
exceptions. Mask must also be worn properly, ensuring that the nose and mouth are covered
continuously.
Children under two years of age are excluded from masking requirements. Visitors must be at least 12
years of age and always remain in the patient’s room. Visitors are to maintain social distancing at all
times, including in waiting rooms, cafeterias, and other shared areas.
This policy affects all employees and visitors regardless of vaccination status in accordance with the
requirements set by the Louisiana Department of Health.
Information was accessed on their website’s updated visitor policy.
Our Lady of Lourdes:
PATIENT AND VISITOR GUIDELINES:
All visitors must be at least 18 years old, unless the parent/guardian of the patient. (Clergy are not considered or counted as one of the visitors. They may visit as requested)
SCREENING:
All visitors will continue to be screened daily for symptoms, including:
- Fever greater than or equal to 100.4°F
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Congestion that differs from their typical seasonal allergies
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Loss of smell/taste
- Diarrhea
- Active COVID Infection or recent exposure
If a visitor says “YES” to any of the screening symptoms, they will not be allowed entry into the facility.
MASKS:
With the well-being and protection of our team, patients and community in mind, we require all visitors to wear masks upon entering our facilities:
- Wear a mask
- Practice social distancing
- This includes members of our team, even in non-clinical areas.
- Visitors must mask when a caregiver enters the room
Exceptions to the Lourdes Visitor Policy and after hours:
- End of Life: Patients admitted for end-of-life evaluation and treatment, or patients being evaluated for and/or receiving hospice care, including persons under investigation, suspected COVID-19 and COVID-19 positive patients, may have immediate family members visit and the number of visitors and times for visitation will be coordinated with the units Director of Nursing or House Supervisor.
- End of life is defined as anticipated death with an active do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order in place and/or planned withdrawal of life-sustaining interventions (e.g., ventilator).
Information was accessed on their website’s updated visitor policy.
Opelousas General Health System:
| Area | |
| ED Patients | One (1) asymptomatic visitor per day. |
| Inpatients | One (1) asymptomatic visitor per day. |
| Labor/ Delivery/ Mother/ Baby | One (1) asymptomatic visitor for duration of the stay and one (1) visitor per day. |
| Surgery Inpatient | One (1) asymptomatic visitor per day. |
| Surgery Same Day | One (1) asymptomatic visitor per day. |
| Pre-admit | One (1) asymptomatic visitor per day. |
| Clinic/ Outpatients | Essential visitors only |
| ICU | One (1) asymptomatic visitor during ICU visiting hours per day. |
| Covid-19 Patients | Must be approved and coordinated through command center. |
| Pediatrics | Two (2) Parents or Guardians. |
| End-of-Life Patients | Two (2) visitors at a time (not including a Spiritual/Religious Leader). Must be coordinated through the command center. |
- All overnight patients are allowed one essential visitor to stay overnight.
- Visitation Hours:
- General: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- ICU: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Visitors under 18 years of age must be coordinated through the command center.
- Any visitor exiting the building outside of visitation hours will not be allowed to reenter until visitation hours are open.
- No visitors can enter the hospital outside of visiting hours unless they are with a patient admitted through ED.
- All visitors must be screened for COVID-19, be asymptomatic, and always wear a mask. Visitors refusing to wear a mask or wear the mask appropriately (per CDC guidelines) while within any building on an OGHS campus will be required to leave the building.
- Visitors must check in with our guest relations team upon entering the building.
- Visitors must wear a visitor bracelet provided by guest relations. ED is excluded.
- Visitors will be subject to screening upon reentering the building.
- Visitors are not allowed to swap during day. Exceptions must be approved through command center.
- Surgery visitors will be allowed to wait in the waiting rooms. Any visitors that begin exhibiting symptoms of respiratory infection will be asked to leave the campus.
- Labor and Delivery is allowed one visitor for duration of the stay and one additional visitor per day. A spouse or significant other is the visitor allowed for the duration of the stay.
- Essential visitors are persons required to be with the patient to complete the visit. A parent of a minor or a caregiver are examples of essential guests.
- Clergy will be allowed to visit with patients during this time.
Iberia Medical Center
Main Campus entrances for the public are limited to:
- Medical Office Building Entrance during regular business hours
- Main Campus Front Entrance (5:30am – 5:00pm)
- Main Campus ER Entrance
IMC’s inpatient visitation policy has been reinstated to allow one unique, assigned visitor at a time during established visiting hours. Previously, patients were allowed to change visitors per day. IMC’s full visitation policy including this change is as follows:
- Outpatient Testing: Patient Only (Exceptions: patient is a minor or is developmentally challenged)
- Inpatients at Main and North: One asymptomatic visitor at a time during established visiting hours. Visitor may not stay overnight.
- Inpatient Rehab: One asymptomatic visitor allowed during established unit visiting hours
- Inpatient Behavioral Health: One asymptomatic visitor allowed during established unit visiting hours
- Inpatient Laboring Moms: Spouse/Partner allowed
- Special needs patient: (i.e. developmentally challenged) Spouse/Partner OR family member
- Pediatric Patients: Two parents or guardians
- End-of-Life Patients: Spouse/Partner or Adult Family Member. Adult is defined as 18 or older.
- Surgery: One adult for surgical patient (pre- and post-surgery) Visitor may not stay overnight.
- Emergency Department: No visitors unless patient is a minor or is developmentally challenged.
- Covid-19 positive patients: On a limited basis
- No visitor under 18 will be allowed to enter either facility.
- Social distancing guidelines and proper wearing of mask will be required at all times while inside the hospital and medical office building facilities.
For everyone’s health and safety, masks are required to enter Main and North campuses, medical office buildings on both campuses as well as the IMC Physician Network practices and will be strictly enforced.
Iberia Medical Center’s administrators and medical staff leadership monitor Covid-19 patient volume daily. Updates from the Region 4 Office of Public Health are also received and reviewed daily.