Policy on Hospital Visits

09/01/2022

Appling Healthcare’s patients reserve the right to have family and visitors during their hospital stay. Patients and visitors must comply with hospital policies as stated below.

The purpose of this policy is to promote adequate opportunity for patient and family interaction, provide emotional support and comfort to both, and minimize significant interruptions in patient care activities during the day.

This policy applies to the Emergency Department, Medical-Surgical unit, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Senior Care Unit (SCU), Outpatient and Rural Health Clinics.

All visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms at designated entrances; if visitors exhibit symptoms, they will be encouraged not to enter the facility.
Visitors are not permitted to congregate in public areas, such as lobbies, waiting areas, nurse stations, or visit other patients or staff.
Visitors must remain in the room of the patient while they are visiting until visiting hours are over or when the visitor(s) are ready to leave the facility.
Masks must be worn at all times within the building. Masks must fit appropriately and cover your nose and mouth.
Patients in isolation may require restrictions for visitation including limiting the number of visitors per day to one (1).
Those who are visiting patients in isolation will be required to wear all necessary PPE while in the patient’s room.
Visitors will be educated on how to appropriately don and doff PPE.

Emergency Department

One adult visitor or support person may accompany a patient in the Emergency Department.
Two parents may accompany a pediatric patient. If parents are not present, one caregiver over the age of 18 may accompany the patient.
One healthy required medical decision-maker with adult patients who are unable to make decisions regarding care.
No visitor under the age of 18 shall be permitted.
These are subject to change at the discretion of the ED Charge Nurse or physician during emergent situations or unforeseen changes in patient’s condition.

Medical-Surgical Unit

Visiting hours are from 10:00am until 8:00pm, daily.
Two healthy adult visitors (age 18+) will be permitted to visit.
Visits may be limited due to the patient’s condition and at the discretion of the charge nurse or nurse manager.

Intensive Care Unit

Visiting hours are from 10:00am until 8:00pm daily.
1 visitor per patient every 2 hours, for no longer than 20 minutes, on the even hour only.
No visitor under the age of 18 shall be permitted.
These are subject to change at the discretion of the Nurse Manager, ICU nurse, or physician depending on unforeseen patient care situations that may arise.

Senior Care Unit

Visits to our Senior Care Unit are scheduled through the unit Social Worker.

Rural Health Clinic/Outpatient Procedures

Two healthy parents or caregivers with a pediatric patient.
One healthy required medical decision-maker with adult patients.
One healthy caregiver for patients who are unable to walk or move about without assistance.

Compassionate Care Exceptions

Some compassionate-care exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, with approval by the Unit Manager or Primary Care Physician.
Exceptions may be granted for extenuating circumstances, such as end-of-life care. However, the number of visitors shall be limited.

In all areas, visits may be limited or restricted during times of Influenza or other contagious outbreaks.

Find the official document, “Policies and Procedures: Visitor-Visitation Rights” here: Visitation Policy- Aug 2022