Bladen County Hospital alters visitation policy, due to positive coronavirus trend

ELIZABETHTOWN — Visitation policies at Bladen County Hospital have changed, its parent company Cape Fear Valley Health says.

The changes are due to the downward trend of the community’s positive test rate for COVID-19 and the health system’s COVID-19 admissions, a release says.

Patients may have no more than two visitors at a time from noon and 8 p.m., and they must each be at least 12 years old. All are required to properly wear a mask at all times. Masks must remain on at all times, even in patients’ rooms, or the visitor will be asked to leave.

Also:

• Surgery and procedural patients will be allowed one visitor in the pre-op area, but two visitors may wait in the surgical waiting room if arriving with the patient. Additionally, surgery patients may have one visitor in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit if they are waiting to be admitted to the hospital. Once a surgery patient or procedural patient has been admitted, two visitors can go with the patient to their room.

• Inpatients awaiting surgery or a procedure may have the standard number of visitors during visiting hours. Additionally, one support person may stay with the patient overnight and remain until the patient is taken to surgery.

• In the Emergency Department, one visitor at a time will be allowed once the patient is placed in a private treatment room.

• Outpatient clinics will allow no more than two visitors per patient.

• Non-COVID End of Life patients who are actively passing are allowed up to four visitors with two visitors at a time. COVID patients at End of Life are allowed a one-time visit for four immediate family members only with a maximum time of four hours. In certain family circumstances, compassionate exceptions for End of Life patients may be considered at the discretion of the nursing supervisor.

• COVID-19 patients will be allowed two visitors per day from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and all visitors must wear the required personal protective equipment, including an N95 mask. Visitors to COVID-19 patients will not be allowed to return the same day after they leave.