March 24th, 2020 by WCBC Radio
UPMC Western Maryland
Visitation Restrictions
Effective 3/25/20 at 6:00 a.m.
Beginning Wednesday, March 25, inpatient and outpatient visitation guidelines will shift from limited to restricted, outlined below. Rare exceptions will be made in end-of-life and special circumstances. Any exceptions must be approved by James Karstetter, Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer. Any non-patient with new shortness of breath, fever, cough, or contact with someone who is under investigation for COVID-19 should not enter UPMC Western Maryland. A triage line is available for those patients who suspect they have acquired the virus (240)-964-1000.
Inpatients being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19
- No inpatient visitors
Non-COVID-19 inpatients (all hospital departments, excluding obstetrics and L&D) AND outpatients (of all physician practices, rehab, cancer centers, imaging, and all outpatient locations)
- Inpatients: No visitors.
- Inpatient surgery patients: One visitor for post-surgery discussion and accompany to inpatient room, then immediately leave.
- Outpatient surgery patients: One visitor for post-surgery discussion and assistance for discharge.
- Emergency Department patients: One visitor is permitted to stay with the patient during clinical assessment.
o Patient is discharged: Visitor may stay with the patient, staff may encourage waiting in the vehicle if
appropriate.
o Patient is admitted: Visitor may accompany patient to inpatient room, then immediately leave.
All other outpatients (in hospital and outpatient settings): Allowed one companion only if patient requires assistance; otherwise, companion will be requested to wait in the car.
No children visitors will be permitted in any care setting, must be 18 years of age or older
Obstetrics, labor and delivery inpatients:
• Any visitors must be screened prior to entry, via symptom/travel screen questionnaire not body
temperature scan at this time.
• No visitors who are ill, sick, frail, elderly, or at-risk (i.e. immune compromised or serious chronic illness)
• No children will be permitted, must be 18 years of age or older.
• Obstetrics and L&D: Visitors will be limited to the same 1 support person per patient for the entire stay (i.e. partner, doula)
• Peds and NICU: Visitors will be limited to the same 2 support persons per patient for the entire stay (i.e. parent, guardian)
Behavioral health services (all inpatient behavioral health settings):
• No visitors on inpatient units are permitted.
Elective Surgery/Non-Emergent Procedures and Appointments
Effective 3/24/20 at 5:00 p.m.
During his press conference on Monday, March 23, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced all hospitals in Maryland will cancel elective procedures. Governor Hogan applied the order broadly as our hospitals respond to this public health emergency.
- All non-emergent procedures and appointments will be cancelled, postponed, performed remotely through telephone or video transmission.
- Such decisions will be between the physician/advanced practice professional and the patient.
Urgent Care Centers
Effective 3/23/20
All locations are open for patients with urgent needs that do not require an emergency room visit. These locations are requesting all patients to return to their vehicles and call in to enter the facility. This will allow staff to screen the patients for COVID-19 symptoms before entering and providing necessary direction.
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