Visitation by Support Persons, Family Members and Visitors

POLICY:

The COVID-19 Hospital, Clinic, and Care Center Visitor Policy is intended to provide additional safeguards for patients, residents, families, visitors, and caregivers by minimizing exposure to individuals who may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The following guidance will be in place for visitation based on the patient’s location within the campus. Grand River Hospital District (GRHD) appreciates the understanding of guests that based on current regulations and orders, the presence of visitors during appointments may change.In an effort to provide a safer environment, all patients, residents, visitors, caregivers, and staff will be screen for symptoms and exposures to COVID-19 upon entry to the building in accordance with the COVID 19 Employee and Patient Entrance Screening Policy and will adhere to posted signage for Person Protective Equipment (PPE); i.e. facemasks.

Patients who are COVID-positive or are considered to be presumed positive should not be allowed unvaccinated visitors while receiving their medical care. Minor patients, persons with disabilities, or other case by case bases will be evaluated to allow guardians and/or caregivers. GRHD staff may request vaccination status and proof from visitors and/or caregivers in an effort to minimize exposures to COVID-19.

Patients with disabilities (which is defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment) who require help with the provision of medical or behavioral health care, activities of daily living, speaking for the patient or keeping the patient safe, may have a designated assistance person accompany them during their visit.

GRHD does encourage alternate visitation to align with social distancing efforts by using methods such as phone, Skype, Facebook, and all other online platforms that allow patients to stay connected and ensure emotional well-being.

Grand River Health – Hospital Inpatient and Outpatient Services Visitor Guidance

1. Patients may receive visitors indoors in single-patient rooms or outdoors.
2. Patients and visitors should be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and exposures per current CDC guidelines prior to entrance to the hospital.
3. Visitors will follow current CDC masking guidelines based on vaccination status of both the visitor and the patient.
   • In the event both patient and visitor are fully-vaccinated, CDC guidelines allow for mask wearing to be optional in a single-patient room. Visitors should wear a mask when in other areas of the hospital or around other patients, residents, visitors, or health care personnel.
4. For the safety of the visitor, health care personnel, and the general public; suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients should be encouraged to limit in-person visitation while infectious. Should visitation be necessary, visitors should show proof of full vaccination and will be counseled on risks and offered alternative mechanisms for patient and visitor interactions. Visitation will be limited solely to patient’s isolated room and visitors should be provided instruction before visitors enter the patient’s room, on hand hygiene, limiting surfaces touched, and use of PPE according to current facility policy.
   • Visitors who enter COVID-19 positive rooms will not be permitted visit other areas of the hospital.
   • GRHD encourages limiting the number of visitors to one (1) at a time in an active isolation room.
5. In special circumstances such as end of life, decisions will be made case by case to ensure continued compassionate care.
   • This may include, but not limited to, visitation by non-fully vaccinated individuals to a patient in active isolation.
6. Pediatric patients will be allowed to have their legal guardians and/or caregivers present during their care.
7. Patients with disabilities who require help with the provision of medical or behavioral health care, activities of daily living, speaking for the patient, or keeping the patient safe may have a designated assistance person.

Grand River Health Emergency Department Visitor Guidance

1. Adult patients will be allowed visitors during their visit. The Emergency Department staff may request the number be limited based on the medical care to be provided and the capacity of the department at the given time.
2. Pediatric patients will be allowed to have legal guardians and/or caregivers present during their care.
3. Patients with disabilities who require help with the provision of medical or behavioral health care, activities of daily living, speaking for the patient, or keeping the patient safe may have a designated assistance person.
4. Patients and visitors should be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and exposures per current CDC guidelines prior to entrance to Emergency Department.

Grand River Health Clinics Visitors Guidance

1. Legal guardian(s) for minor patient will accompany patient at all times.
2. Patients with disabilities who require help with the provision of medical or behavioral health care, activities of daily living, speaking for the patient, or keeping the patient safe may have a designated assistance person.
3. Patients and visitors should be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and exposures per current CDC guidelines prior to entrance to clinics.

Care Center Visitor Guidance

1. Visitation shall be person-centered, shall consider the residents’ physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being, shall support resident quality of life, and shall be conducted through different means based on facility’s structure and residents’ needs.
2. The facility may still, with the exception of on-going virtual visits, restrict visitation due to COVID-19 county positivity rate, the facility’s COVID-19 status, a resident’s COVID-19 status, visitor symptoms, lack of adherence to proper infection control practices, or other relevant factors related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).
3. Please contact the care center Administrator for further guidance or questions at 970-625-1514.

Grand River Hospital District shall follow U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for visitation during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.