Health & Fitness
New Visitor Policy In Action For Cape Cod Healthcare
Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, the healthcare service says they have implemented a new visitor policy - effective immediately.
HYANNIS, MA — Starting Friday, Jan. 7, Cape Cod Healthcare will implement an updated patient visitation and accompaniment policy in light of the current surge of COVID-19 cases.
In an effort to prioritize safety for patients and staff, visitation of patients will be strongly discouraged but still permitted under strict guidelines.
These guidelines include screening, masking, and visiting under specific timeframes.
Find out what's happening in Barnstable-Hyannisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Exceptions are as follows:
1) End of life: Two visitors will be allowed. The visitor(s) will be screened for symptoms ofrespiratory illness per hospital policy and be required to wear a mask.
2) Labor and Delivery: 1 support person (the same person for the duration of stay) will be allowed.
The support person will be screened for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and
required to wear a mask.
3) Accompaniment: In those situations where it is of benefit to either the patient or the provider
for the patient to have either a caregiver or family member accompany them to the facility, the
visitor (one only) will be allowed. The visitor will be screened for symptoms of respiratory illness
and fever per hospital policy and be required to wear a mask at all times. When the visitor is not
able to physically be with the patient (during actual procedure time, etc.) the visitor may be
asked to wait outside of the facility or in a specified waiting area depending on social distancing
guidelines (providing a cell phone number) and will be contacted to return when the patient is
ready.
Find out what's happening in Barnstable-Hyannisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Examples of these situations include but are not limited to:
- A minor accompanied by a parent or guardian
- A person with cognitive impairment, memory impairment or dementia accompanied by a caregiver
- A person with limited mobility accompanied by an attendant/caregiver
- A person with anxiety or phobia regarding their visit/procedure
- A person whom the provider deems necessary for the patients care and safety
Current guidelines are as follows:
- One visitor per patient, per day, will be allowed, with exceptions noted above
- Visitor(s) will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness and fever, as well as for exposure to anyone with a COVID-19 infection during the prior 14 days, per hospital policy
- Visitor(s) must wear a mask at all times
- Visiting hours are 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. daily
- No visitors under the age of 18
- No visitors for COVID-19 positive patients
- All visitors will be required to leave their full names and contact information upon entry
For more information, please see the Cape Cod Healthcare COVID-19 Resource Center here.
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