LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Norton Healthcare announced updates to its visitor policies on Friday in response to improving COVID-19 numbers and vaccination efforts, and the supply of personal protective equipment. Now, most patients in isolation, including those in COVID-19 isolation, can have one visitor unless that patient is on "continuous aerosol therapy," like a ventilator.
What You Need To Know
- Norton updates, expands visitor policies as COVID-19 numbers improve
- Most patients in isolation, including those in COVID-19 isolation, can have one visitor
- Hospitalized adults may have two visitors during visitor hours and one visitor overnight
- Adult patients visiting doctors' offices and outpatient medical centers for appointments may have one visitor, while children may have two
“We know that patients and families have struggled with separation during this pandemic,” said Douglas Winkelhake, division president, hospital operations, Norton Healthcare. “Hopefully these new guidelines will help everyone, though we know there are still instances in which families may not be able to visit due to treatments that create a situation in which COVID-19 is more likely to be spread.”
The updated policies also allow hospitalized adults to have two visitors during visitor hours (6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all Norton Healthcare adult-service hospitals) and one visitor overnight. Adult patients visiting doctors' offices and outpatient medical centers for appointments may have one visitor, while children may have two. Visitors must be at least 18 years old.
Cafeterias have reopened to 60% occupancy, and occupants must be masked when they're not eating.
Norton provided information for all visitors:
- All visitors must arrive wearing a mask.
- All visitors must receive a visitor's pass and wear the pass while in the hospital.
- Anyone feeling ill is asked not to visit or accompany patients.