Today, Munson Healthcare is officially moving our pandemic response stage from orange to yellow due to fewer COVID-19 cases both in Michigan and locally. As part of this change, we have modified our visitation policy so that all patients can have one visitor/support person at a time (18 years and older) regardless of vaccination status. Two visitors are allowed in certain cases, and our universal masking policy remains in place at all locations.
“Our current patient numbers show we are on the other side of the latest COVID-19 wave that manifested during past few months,” said Munson Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP. “We continue to monitor the transmission of the virus in the community and balance the needs for staff and patient safety with what we know benefits our patients – having the support of their family and loved ones. We are happy we can again revise our visitation policy as we move toward normalcy.”
Effective Monday, May 24, 2021 visitation revisions include:
- Allowing all patients including inpatients, outpatients, and surgical patients one visitor/support person at a time, 18 years of age or older.
- Allowing Emergency Department patients one visitor. However, if that patient is COVID-19 positive or showing COVID-19 symptom they will not be allowed a visitor in the Emergency Department.
- Continuing to allow COVID-19 inpatients to have one visitor per day. Visitors must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as instructed for the duration of each visit. Staff will help with safely donning and removing PPE. Visitors must leave the room immediately if breathing becomes difficult, they feel dizzy, or face, eyes, mouth, or nose become irritated. Hospital screeners/unit staff will provide a handout for visitors with the specific protocol.
- Allowing obstetric patients to have a support person for every ultrasound.
- Allowing pediatric patients to have two adult caregivers at a time.
More than one visitor at a time is allowed for:
- Obstetrics patients: One birthing partner or support person (must be the same person during the duration of their stay) and one certified doula. Obstetric patients with a COVID-19 positive diagnosis are allowed one visitor, with appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Overnight stays: Limited to obstetrics, pediatrics, and extenuating circumstances approved by the care team.
- Individuals performing spiritual care, legal or governmental functions: One spiritual advisor of a patient’s choosing is allowed one visit. Personnel from law enforcement, adult protective services, interpreters, and other such groups are allowed one at a time.
Waiting room availability is based on capacity and ability to social distance. Visitors may be asked to wait in other designated areas if a waiting room is unavailable or at capacity.
As under previous pandemic visitation policies, all approved visitors will be required to wear a Munson Healthcare-issued mask. These masks ensure there is no variability in the protection provided for patients and staff. Additionally, visitors:
- Will be required to answer questions about current health.
- Will be required to provide their name and phone number for contact tracing purposes.
- Must go directly to and from patient’s room or to and from their appointment.
- Must wash hands or use alcohol sanitizer before and after leaving any rooms as well as the facility.
To learn more about visitation policies, go to munsonhealthcare.org.