HARRISBURG, Pa. — UPMC announced Wednesday that it has updated visitation guidelines for the safety of its patients and staff in an effort to lower the likelihood of exposure to COVID-19.
The visitation guidelines have been shifted from "limited" to "restricted," UPMC said.
In addition, obstetrics and labor and delivery units is shifting its visitor policy to limit to the same one support person per patient for the entire stay.
All UPMC central Pennsylvania hospitals — UPMC Carlisle, Hanover, Memorial, and Lititz, and UPMC Pinnacle Community Osteopathic, Harrisburg, and West Shore — and facilities follow these guidelines, the healthcare system said.
Rare exceptions will be made in end-of-life and special circumstances, such as when the visitor is essential for the patient’s emotional well-being and health.
Any exceptions must be approved by the facility’s chief nursing officer, UPMC said.
The updated guidelines are below.
General Visitor Restrictions and Guidelines
- No children visitors will be permitted in any care setting. Approved visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
- Any non-patient with shortness of breath, fever, cough, or contact with someone who is under investigation for COVID-19 should not enter UPMC facilities.
- Visitors may be asked about their travel and potential exposure.
Inpatients and Outpatients
Inpatients being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19
- No inpatient visitors
Non-COVID-19 inpatients
(all hospital departments, excluding obstetrics, pediatrics, labor and delivery, and NICU) AND outpatients (of all physician practices, rehab, cancer centers, imaging, and all outpatient locations)
- Inpatients: No visitors
- Inpatient surgery patients: One visitor for post-surgery discussion and accompany to inpatient room, then immediately leave
- Outpatient surgery patients: One visitor for post-surgery discussion and assistance for discharge
- Emergency Department patients: One visitor is permitted to stay with the patient
- During clinical assessment, if the patient becomes a person under investigation (PUI) or COVID-19 testing is being considered, staff will take the visitor’s name and contact number, request the visitor leave the facility and wait in their vehicle. All future communications with that visitor will be by telephone.
- Patient is discharged: Visitor may stay with the patient; staff may encourage waiting in the vehicle if appropriate.
- Patient is admitted: Visitor may accompany patient to inpatient room, then immediately leave.
- All other outpatients (in hospital and outpatient settings): Allowed one companion only if patient requires assistance; otherwise, companion will be requested to wait in the car.
Obstetrics, pediatric inpatients, labor and delivery, and NICU inpatients:
- Any visitors will be screened prior to entry, via symptom/travel screen questionnaire
- No visitors who are ill, sick, frail, elderly, or at-risk (i.e., immune compromised or serious chronic illness)
- Obstetrics and Labor & Delivery: Visitors will be limited to the same one support person per patient for the entire stay (i.e., partner, doula)
- Pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Visitors will be limited to the same two support persons per patient for the entire stay (i.e., parent, guardian)
All UPMC Volunteer Services
For the safety of volunteers and to further protect the spread of illness, in addition to visitor restrictions, volunteer activities in all UPMC hospitals and facilities are temporarily suspended.
UPMC will continue to evaluate the future use of volunteers as this situation evolves.
This information and related resources are updated frequently during this evolving situation. Refer to UPMCPinnacle.com/COVID19 often for the latest information and communications.
SOURCE: UPMC
