Hospital tightens visitor policy

Increasing COVID-19 cases, a nationwide nursing shortage and limited access to bed availability in regional centers for higher levels of care, have prompted Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County to tighten its visitation policy.

We are restricting visitors and tightening visitation policies,” said MHSC Incident Commander Kim White, Emergency Services Director. “If this perfect storm of delta variant, worker shortages and hospital capacity continues, we will have to go back to a policy of no visitors.”

MHSC’s Emergency Room no longer allows visitors unless the patient is younger than 18, cannot understand or make decisions for themselves, or require assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Only people 18 or older are allowed to visit patient rooms, unless the individual is the parent of a pediatric patient.

Here is a breakdown of visitation rules by department:

• At the entrance: Door monitors will continue to ask visitors to complete a questionnaire before entering the hospital to visit or for hospital services. You will be asked to wear a mask and to use hand sanitizer. For more on this, go to the “Coronavirus Update” page at sweetwatermemorial.com.
• ICU: COVID-19 positive patients are not allowed visitors. Non-COVID-19 patients may have one visitor per day.
• Emergency Room: As a result of the significant influx of COVID-19 patients needing emergency care, no visitors are allowed in the emergency room unless the patient is younger than 18, cannot understand or make decisions for themselves, or require assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Medical/Surgical & Obstetrics: Patients are allowed two visitors each per day. Visitors cannot swap out during a single day; they must be the same two visitors. All visitors MUST wear a mask at all times and MUST remain in the patient’s room during their visit. This policy will continue as long as hospital leaders believe it is safe to do so.

Masks are required for anyone entering an MHSC facility, including its clinics and various departments. When possible, maintain a 6-foot distance.