HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — West Michigan hospitals are setting visitor limits because of the latest COVID-19 surge.
Spectrum Health’s new rules, announced Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, apply to hospitals and outpatient care sites.
“Spectrum Health is happy to welcome visitors who want to be with their loved ones,” said Chad Tuttle, senior vice president, hospital and post-acute operations, Spectrum Health West Michigan. “Like hospitals across West Michigan, Spectrum Health is experiencing high demand for our services and our hospitals are very full. While our teams focus on care, visitors can help their loved ones feel more comfortable during their stay and keep everyone healthy and safe by following our updated visitor guidelines.”
Patients are allowed only one adult visitor in the following areas: All inpatient rooms, emergency departments, urgent care, walk-in clinics, surgery, radiology and lab locations, as well as labor and delivery. Adult COVID-19-patients are allowed only one adult visitor, who must be the same person throughout the patient’s stay and must follow personal protective equipment guidelines.
Spectrum Heath pediatric patients may have two adult visitors in the emergency department, urgent care, surgery and lab. Pediatric radiology patients can have one adult visitor.
Pediatric inpatient areas allow two adult visitors, who must be the same people throughout the patient’s stay. In double occupancy rooms, a pediatric patient is only allowed one parent. Pediatric COVID-19 patients are allowed two adult visitors, who must be the same people throughout the patient’s stay and must follow personal protective equipment guidelines.
Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the care teams involved based on end-of-life care or special needs. Adults are individuals ages 18 and older. Children and minors will be allowed as visitors only in limited circumstances.
Details are online: https://newsroom.spectrumhealth.org/spectrum-health-announces-new-visitor-restrictions-4/
At Holland Hospital, new rules went into effect on Nov. 19, and includes these general rules: “Regardless of vaccination status: All visitors must be screened upon arrival. Anyone with a COVID diagnosis or exposure to COVID within the last 14 days, or with COVID symptoms, will not be allowed to visit. Anyone exhibiting COVID symptoms will be advised to seek medical care.
“All visitors must wear a hospital provided mask and follow posted safety guidelines at all times. Anyone not following guidelines will be asked to leave the building. Security will be notified if necessary.”
On Nov. 19, Holland Hospital issued visitor limits. The number of COVID-19 patients admitted for acute care rose form 27 to 41 in a matter of days.
In general, hospital visiting hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. COVID-19 patients may have two adult visitors but those two visitors are the only people who can return to during the patient’s hospital stay. Those visitors must be able to pass hospital screening criteria and, as with any patients in isolation because of infections, must wear appropriate personal protection equipment at all times, as well as stay in the patient’s room throughout the visit.
Non-patient minors may accompany patients/visitors to Lobby 3 (Coffee Cove area) for lab work, bill paying, and nutrition and diabetic education appointments but may not move from Lobby 3 into the main hospital.
Holland Hospital also has some exceptions to the rules, based on special circumstances. Rules for visiting COVID-positive and non-COVID patients vary and are online at https://www.hollandhospital.org/hh/coronavirus.aspx.
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