Additional Restrictions Implemented to Protect Staff, Patients Amid Rising Cases
HILLSDALE, Mich.—Due to rising COVID-19 cases in the county and region, Hillsdale Hospital is taking steps to protect its staff and patients by again prohibiting most visitors, effective immediately.
“We are taking all appropriate measures to keep our team and our patients safe,” Rachel Lott, director of marketing and development, said. “In the healthcare setting, we have both healthy patients and those with severe health conditions who may be at higher risk for COVID-19 complications. We want to protect them, as well as our hard-working team, by minimizing potential exposure.”
The hospital has taken measures to protect its patients and staff throughout the pandemic, like increased cleaning, screening, mask usage, hand washing and social distancing. Previous visitation restrictions were relaxed in June when COVID-19 cases had been trending downward. Stricter policies, however, are again being implemented due to the recent increase in cases and a higher rate of positive tests.
“Unfortunately, it has once again become necessary for us to further limit visitors to the hospital and our clinics in order to reduce the number of individuals present in our facilities at a given time,” Lott said. “We are reverting back to most of our phase one restrictions, which lasted from March 13 to June 4.”
VISITATION GUIDELINES
Visitors are prohibited from entry to all Hillsdale Hospital owned and operated locations and services, unless necessary for the patient to receive care (i.e. communication, mobility, caregiver, etc.) or in end-of-life circumstances. (All patients aged 21 and under may be accompanied by one parent or guardian.) Unit- or clinic-specific exceptions are as follows:
- Emergency Room: One adult visitor per patient for the duration of that patient’s ER stay. Visitor must stay in the patient’s room unless asked to move to the waiting room due to patient condition.
- McGuire & MacRitchie (Skilled Nursing Facility): No visitors permitted.
- Medical/Surgical Unit: No visitors permitted.
- Behavioral Health Unit: No visitors permitted.
- Birthing Center (OB): Visitors permitted for laboring mothers only. One significant other/adult support person is permitted for the duration of the laboring mother’s stay (labor, delivery, and post-partum).
- Outpatient Surgery : No visitors permitted. Patients may be dropped off and picked up after surgery.
- OB/GYN Clinic: One adult visitor per patient for obstetrics appointments only.
- All Other Outpatient Services & Clinics: No visitors permitted.
- Bill Payment & Medical Records: No on-site access permitted. Bills may be paid online through the patient portal at hillsdalehospital.com or over the phone by calling (517) 437-5222. Medical Records are available for pre-scheduled pickup only by calling (517) 437-5175. Once prepared, records may be picked up in the main hospital lobby.
“Family support and involvement in patient care is a critical component to health and healing,” Lott said. “While we have to restrict in-person visitation, we are creating other opportunities for patients and families to connect, like video visits for inpatient stays and window visits where physically possible.”
The hospital and all of its locations and clinics will continue to screen all patients and permitted visitors. Masks are still required for all individuals, except patients who are medically unable to wear them. Hillsdale Hospital has not and will not deny medical care of any kind to patients who do not wear a mask. The Hillsdale Hospital Gift Shop and cafeteria will remain closed to the public.
“We do not make these decisions lightly, because we know it has an impact on our patients and our community,” Lott said. “Ultimately, we have to put the health and safety our team and those entrusted to our care first. Just as we do each year during flu season, we have to weigh the risks and the benefits of visitation. At this time, the risk is greater in most patient-care circumstances, which is why we are taking decisive action with limited exceptions.”
These restrictions will be reassessed daily and changes will be communicated to the media and to the public via official Hillsdale Hospital channels as soon as possible. For complete details, visit www.hillsdalehospital.com/coronavirus.
