Great River Medical Center Makes Visitation and Other Changes Because of COVID-19
West Burlington, Iowa, March 17, 2020 –To protect patients, staff and the community from potential coronavirus infection, Great River Medical Center will limit visitors beginning at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 18. As of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 – coronavirus – at the hospital.
“Our priorities are to protect our patients and employees, and provide accurate information to our community,” said Matt Wenzel, president and CEO. “Therefore, we have developed a process for staff to do the screening. We want to ensure we are deliberate and accurate in doing the best work possible during this pandemic.”
People under 18 will not be allowed to visit unless they are parents of a child who is a patient. Most inpatient units are limited to the same two visitors for the entire time they are hospitalized. These two people, who are designated by patients, may visit multiple times if they pass a brief health screening each time.
Some units have more specific restrictions:
- Emergency Department – One adult may visit for the length of the visit.
- Intensive Care – One adult may visit for the length of the hospital stay if he or she passes the health screening before each visit. Visiting hours are limited to 9 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. daily.
- Obstetrics Unit – Only the mother’s support person may visit if he or she passes the health screening each time.
- Pediatrics Unit – Only the parents or legal guardians – limit of two for the entire time of hospitalization – may visit. They must pass the health screening before each visit
Screening process
All potential visitors and outpatients will be screened before entering the hospital through these locations:
- Main entrance – 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
- Emergency Department entrance – 24 hours a day
- Eastman Plaza – 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Cancer Care Plaza – 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
All other entrances will be closed.
Visitors and people coming to the hospital for outpatient procedures will be asked about the presence of respiratory symptoms and recent travel, and their temperatures will be taken. If potential visitors are positive in any area, they will not be allowed to visit.
Clinics that are not attached to Great River Medical Center also will implement a screening process.
