Spencer Hospital Tightens Visitor/Patient Companion Restrictions; Adds Entrance Ambassadors

posted on Thursday, March 19, 2020 in COVID-19

Spencer Hospital has tightened visitor/patient companion restrictions in an effort to provide patients the safest possible environment during the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 19). Effective Friday, March 20, patients are only permitted to have someone accompany them to an appointment or visit them while hospitalized under extenuating circumstances.

Exceptions permitted are as follows:

• One person may accompany/visit patient in Birth Center
• One parent/guardian may accompany/visit patient under age 18
• Immediate family members may visit patients receiving end-of-life care, as defined by physician

Visitors cannot rotate with another person during the patient’s stay in an effort to reduce the number of people who enter the hospital. Also, deliveries to patients of flowers, gifts, etc. have been temporarily suspended to avoid bringing in items from outside of the hospital. Though the volunteer gift shop is currently closed, gifts from the shop can be ordered online and delivered and ecards can be sent via the Spencer Hospital website. Online Gift Shop or E-Cards

Spencer Hospital has also initiated an ambassador program at the main hospital entrance and emergency entrance. The main entrance will have one door – entrance B – open Monday through Friday between the hours of 5:30 AM and 5 PM. All patients and visitors will be greeted by a hospital ambassador at that entrance who will ask if the person has any respiratory symptoms and will conduct a quick temperature check.

After 5 PM and on weekends, patients and permitted visitors will be asked to use the emergency department entrance on the east side of the Spencer Hospital campus. An ambassador at the emergency entrance will also conduct a brief screening, including temperature check. Ambassadors at the ED entrance will be available from 7 AM to 11 PM each day.

Spencer Hospital employees are also undergoing a health screening when they arrive to work.