Visitors

Safety First:
Visitor Policy updated April 12, 2021

We take the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community seriously which is why we have added new visitor guidelines for Red Bud Regional Hospital.

We understand that when a health emergency arrives, it can cause anxiety and fear in the patient, as well as the family members. Having someone at your side can add a sense of comfort. In an effort to support our patients during these difficult times, we have implemented new visitor guidelines that combine safety and comfort.

The following decisions are based on the state and local positivity rates and will continue to be monitored.

Emergency Department

1. One visitor is allowed per patient. If multiple visitors arrive with the patient, the other visitors will be asked to wait outside while one family member acts/communicates on behalf of the family. Visitors may not "switch off".
2. Visitor must remain in the room with the patient at all times.
3. Visitor will be screened for COVID at time of entry and can be denied entry based on the screening results.
4. Visitor may also be denied entry if the patient is positive for COVID or potentially under investigation for COVID.
5. See section “All Visitors”

Med/Surg unit

1. One visitor is allowed per patient per day. It will be up to the patient to approve the visit prior to the visitor’s arrival. Call 282-5139 to request a visit with a patient.
2. Requests to visit a COVID-positive patient will be reviewed prior to scheduling the appointment.
3. Visitor must remain in the room with the patient at all times.
4. Visitor will be screened for COVID at time of entry and can be denied entry based on the screening results.
5. Visitor will sign in at the screener’s station acknowledging that they will abide by the “I Agree” section of this form.
6. See section “All Visitors”

Visit are held inside the patient’s room. If the room is occupied by two patients, the visitors will be scheduled at different times to allow only one visit at a time. Visits are typically one-hour in length.

Surgery

1. One visitor is allowed per patient.
2. Visitor will be screened for COVID at time of entry and can be denied entry based on the screening results.

Outpatient Testing (Lab, Radiology, Physical Therapy, Clinic)

If a patient presents to the hospital for an outpatient appointment or outpatient test, the patient must meet the criteria below in order to allow the visitor to continue past the screening station with the patient.

• Patient is under the age of 18
• Patient is at end-of-life
• Patient solely relies on caregiver for transport (wheelchair), translation (foreign speaking) or mental understanding (confusion/memory loss)
• Patient is having surgery

In these situations, one visitor is allowed per patient. Special exceptions may be made for patients at the discretion of hospital administration.

Long Term Care (nursing home/Care Center) - Effective March 1, 2021

These guidelines are based on CMS criteria. If the local COVID-19 positivity rate increases or positive cases occur inside the Care Center, we will review and update the visitor restrictions according to local and state guidelines. Please know that our overall goal is to safely reopen our doors to family visits.

1. Indoor and outdoor visitation is available (weather permitting).
2. Up to three visitors are allowed per resident.
3. Visitors must be 16 years of age or older.
4. Visits are by appointment only by calling 282-3891. Visits last 45 minutes, and you may arrive five minutes prior to your visit.
5. Visitors will sign a consent outlining the stipulations of their visit. Click here for a copy.
6. If a resident is fully vaccinated, they can choose to have a close contact (including touch) with their visitor while wearing a well-fitter cloth mask or face covering and perform hand-hygiene before and after..
7. Visitors should maintain six feet social distance from other residents and staff members while inside the facility.
8. Staff will clean and disinfect visitation area between appointments.
9. Visitors may not bring food or drink for their own consumption to the visit.
10. See section “All Visitors”

All visitors

1. All patients and exception visitors will be screened at the door for fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, and other COVID-related illness. If you are an exception visitor and showing symptoms of illness, you will not be permitted to visit during that time as you could expose others to your illness.
2. All visitors are required to bring their own mask and wear it upon entry into the building. Visitors must wear a mask over their mouth and nose at all times, even when staff and patients are not present.
3. All visitors will maintain six feet of space in patient rooms and in common areas.
4. Visitors will not bring outside items to the visit such as food.
5. Visitors will promptly arrive to and leave from a scheduled visit or appointment.
6. If visitors are not abiding by the guidelines and patient safety is being compromised, the staff may end the visit at any time.

We understand that these rules can feel burdensome and inconvenient. Our top priority is keeping our patients, visitors and employees safe. We appreciate your compliance with these guidelines, and we look forward to welcoming you back into our building.