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In order to help protect patients, family members and healthcare workers from the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus has revised its temporary visitor restrictions.

St. Luke’s Hospital is actively working to keep local communities safe and informed. One of the ways they are doing this is by reviewing and adjusting their visitor restrictions to ensure safety. Revised guidelines are now in place and are being utilized daily at St. Luke’s.
Visitors are not allowed in the hospital at this time; however, special circumstances will be taken into consideration and will require approval from a hospital supervisor. Additionally, visitation of potential COVID-19 patients will be further restricted. For all patients, visitors are asked to use alternative methods for interactions such as video-call applications on cell phones or tablets instead of visiting in-person.
If visitation must occur, hospital administration will utilize CDC guidelines to consider approval of in-person visits. Nursing staff and the infection prevention team will work with families who have special circumstances, such as a critically ill or injured family member, on a case-by-case basis. The approved visitor will be issued a visitor’s pass which should be carried by the visitor at all times while at the hospital.
Outpatient and approved visitors are asked to use the hospital’s main entrance only, Monday-Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The screening process at the main entrance will ensure a designated space for well patients to register. Only visitors with advanced approval will be admitted on Saturdays and Sundays. 

 As always, if you have a medical emergency, please go directly to St. Luke’s Hospital’s Emergency Room entrance at the rear of the hospital. Emergency Room visitors accompanying patients are asked to wait in their vehicle unless approved to do otherwise. If you are experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call 828-894-3311 before entering the hospital. 

 “St. Luke’s Hospital will revise our visitor restrictions as needed to ensure the safety and wellness of our patients, teammates and community,” said Infection Preventionist Lori Rothell. “We will be sure to keep updates and information readily available as this situation evolves.” 
The highly skilled team at St. Luke’s Hospital is trained to safely care for potential COVID-19 patients while taking precautions to avoid exposures to staff and other patients. Due to HIPAA regulations, the hospital is not at liberty to provide names and any personal information about patients. They are following all CDC Coronavirus safety and healthcare protocols and will place updates on their website at SaintLukesHospital.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, or you can call St. Luke’s Hospital at 828-894-3311 with questions.

 

Becky Rickenbaker