As of July 1st, Garrett Regional Medical Center (GRMC) has resumed limited visitation. The new policy follows guidelines from state and federal public health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to slow the spread of COVID-19. The new guidelines have been put into place in order to protect the health and safety of the hospital’s patients, staff, and the community.
Since mid-March, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, GRMC suspended all visitation to protect against any possible spread. Similar restrictions have been implemented in medical facilities across the country, including WVU Medicine, GRMC’s affiliate. As Maryland entered into phase 2 of reopening, the hospital was able to reevaluate their policy, loosening some restrictions to allow for limited visitation. GRMC has also added two temperature kiosks located in the main lobby and emergency room for quick and easy screening. Everyone entering the hospital is required to stop at a kiosk first.
“Our goal with the new policy is to allow some visitation while maintaining a safe and healthy environment,” said Linda Danjou, Director of Occupational Health and Infection Control at GRMC. “Visitors are a significant part of the healing process, and it was very important to us that we were able to reunite patients with their loved ones. We want everyone to be assured that while visitation is allowed, the new policy will be strictly enforced to protect those at the hospital and our community overall.”
Visitation guidelines vary depending on your reason for visiting the hospital. The new policy is as follows:
- Everyone entering the hospital is required to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and will be screened at the temperature kiosks located in the main lobby and emergency room.
- Adult inpatients who are admitted may designate one consistent visitor throughout their stay.
- Visitors must be 18 years or older and visit only during designated visiting hours, noon to 7 pm daily.
- All visitors must stay in the patient’s throughout the visit.
- Visitors must obtain and wear a visitor badge while inside the hospital.
- Visitation is not permitted if you have a fever, have been recently exposed to COVID-19, or are experiencing flu like symptoms.
- Patients who are suspected of having COVID-19 or have tested positive will not be allowed visitors.
- The Subacute Unit will permit outside visits with one visitor per patient; if there is inclement weather a designated area indoors has been established for the visit that allows for social distancing.
- One visitor will be allowed per patient in the ER, or two visitors for pediatric patients.
- Patients at end-of-life stages will be allowed two visitors at one time, immediate family only.
- OB patients are allowed only one person to accompany them throughout the birth process; no other visitors will be allowed.
- Patients at the hospital for same day surgery procedures may be accompanied by one person; once the patient is taken to the outpatient area, the visitor must either accompany the patient and remain in their room, or leave the building until called back.
- No one is permitted to accompany outpatients in lab or radiology, unless a patient is a minor or assistance is required.
- The main entrance of the hospital will be locked on weekends. Please use the Emergency Room entrance beginning Friday at 7pm until Monday morning.
GRMC is closely monitoring the COVID virus both locally and nationally and will continue to update the policy as needed. For a full list of the new visitation guidelines, visit www.grmc-wvumedicine.org.
