DCH Health System COVID-19 Visitation Restriction Policy

Per the “Safer at Home” order issued by Governor Kay Ivey, DCH’s limited visitation policy remains in force. The order prohibits hospital visits except for “certain compassionate care situations.” Compliance with the visitation restriction policy is required by all visitors, at all times. Patients cannot leave their care area to go outside to visit with others.

Fayette Medical Center’s Long Term Care Facility is closed to all visitors. For all other DCH campuses, the following visitation policy is effective at 12:01 a.m. on July 14, 2020, and will remain in force until further notice.

Visitation Requirements for All

This section describes requirements for any approved support person. Support person limitations are outlined by category in the subsequent sections. Once a support person has checked in, a new support person for that patient will not be allowed until the next visitation period (when the screening service at the hospital entry opens for the next day) and the first support person has left.

• Any support person allowed into an area is required to meet or comply with the following:
  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Submit to a screening during every new visitation period, including a temperature check, and meet the required health standards for entry.
  • Wear a mask at all times.
  • Wear a visitor badge and the appropriately colored temperature verification band during the entire visit.
  • Agree to practice appropriate hand hygiene.
  • Wear additional personal protective equipment in certain circumstances if deemed necessary by the clinical staff.
  • Remain in the patient’s room except for basic personal needs (e.g., food, restroom).
  • Be courteous and kind to the staff and others.
  • Follow all clinical staff instructions.

Where possible, calls or video chats should be used for situations such as visits or family/caregiver education.

If a patient condition changes (for better or worse), then the visitation restriction policy for the new situation will apply as outlined above.

Guidelines by Area

Within the guidelines provided by the state, DCH is updating its temporary visitation policy as follows for all of its campuses:

• One support person per outpatient cancer treatment patient for the initial consultation only.
• One support person per outpatient cancer treatment patient for treatment (only if the patient is insufficiently healthy or not mobile enough to proceed without assistance; otherwise, no visitors).
• One support person per maternity patient.
• One support person per NICU patient.
• One parent/guardian can accompany a pediatric (18 or younger) patient.
• Up to two visitors per patient for end-of-life events or corresponding consultations.
• One private sitter per patient if the sitter is deemed to be truly needed to contribute to the patient’s care.
• No support person for procedures (cardiac cath., endoscopy, emergency/urgent surgery, etc.). A designated point of contact should be provided by the family and placed on the chart. This is in case the nurses or the physician need to contact someone during the procedure or share an update following a procedure. The perioperative staff will reach out to the point of contact to arrange a pickup or for other details.
• No other visitors or support people will be allowed.