NEW AT NOON, THE POLK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS RE-ENACTING VISITOR RESTRICTIONS AT HOSPITALS IN POLK AND DALLAS COUNTIES DUE TO A RISE I CORONAVIRUS CASES. STARTING TOMORROW, VISITORS WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED. HOWEVER THERE ARE A FEW EXCEPTIONS, ONE OR TWO CAREGIVERS WILL BE ALLOWED ONLY IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS. A PATIENT IS DYING, IS IN THE E.R., OUTPATIENT CLINIC OR UNDERGOING SURGERY IS A MINOR , SUFFERS FROM CONFUSION, OR IS THERE FOR MATERNITY SERVICES. THE CAREGIVER CAN NOT HAVE ANY SIGNS OF SICKNESS AND WILL BE SC
Rise in coronavirus cases brings return of metro hospital visitor restrictions
The Polk County Health Department said Monday that due to “significant increases” in coronavirus cases in Iowa, including Polk and Dallas counties, hospital visitor restrictions will be put in place in the metro.Effective Tuesday, visitors will no longer be allowed in Broadlawns Medical Center, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, West Des Moines Medical Center and UnityPoint Health.Health officials said one or two designated caregivers will only be allowed in the following circumstances: A patient is imminently dying. Two caregivers will be allowed at a time; caregivers may rotate at the discretion of the clinical care team. Visitors under the age of 18 may be allowed in this case, at the discretion of the clinical care team. The patient is being treated in an emergency department (ED)/trauma service, outpatient clinic, and/or undergoing surgery. One designated caregiver will be allowed. The patient is a minor under the age of 18 years. Two parents/designated caregivers/guardians at a time will be allowed in the patient’s room to support care of the patient; designated caregivers may rotate at the discretion of the clinical care team. The patient is suffering from confusion or delirium. One designated caregiver will be allowed in the patient’s room to support the care of the patient. In maternity services (labor and delivery, postpartum, OB ED, MTT), one designated caregiver/support person and one certified doula/outside birth coach will be allowed in the patient’s room to support the care of the mother.County health officials said designated caregivers must be older than 16 and free of any signs of illness. Caregivers will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and must wear a mask. County health officials said the following can be designated caregivers: Siblings under the age of 16 are not allowed. Must always remain in patient room as appropriate. Free from illness such as fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting or runny nose. Limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas (cafeterias will not be open to the public).“We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult for you. While we are committed to providing a family-centered care environment, right now restricting visitors is in the best interest of our hospitalized patients and staff. Thank you for your cooperation in this effort,” Polk County health officials said in a news release.
DES MOINES, Iowa —
The Polk County Health Department said Monday that due to “significant increases” in coronavirus cases in Iowa, including Polk and Dallas counties, hospital visitor restrictions will be put in place in the metro.
Effective Tuesday, visitors will no longer be allowed in Broadlawns Medical Center, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, West Des Moines Medical Center and UnityPoint Health.
Health officials said one or two designated caregivers will only be allowed in the following circumstances:
- A patient is imminently dying. Two caregivers will be allowed at a time; caregivers may rotate at the discretion of the clinical care team. Visitors under the age of 18 may be allowed in this case, at the discretion of the clinical care team.
- The patient is being treated in an emergency department (ED)/trauma service, outpatient clinic, and/or undergoing surgery. One designated caregiver will be allowed.
- The patient is a minor under the age of 18 years. Two parents/designated caregivers/guardians at a time will be allowed in the patient’s room to support care of the patient; designated caregivers may rotate at the discretion of the clinical care team.
- The patient is suffering from confusion or delirium. One designated caregiver will be allowed in the patient’s room to support the care of the patient.
- In maternity services (labor and delivery, postpartum, OB ED, MTT), one designated caregiver/support person and one certified doula/outside birth coach will be allowed in the patient’s room to support the care of the mother.
County health officials said designated caregivers must be older than 16 and free of any signs of illness. Caregivers will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and must wear a mask.
County health officials said the following can be designated caregivers:
- Siblings under the age of 16 are not allowed.
- Must always remain in patient room as appropriate.
- Free from illness such as fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting or runny nose.
- Limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas (cafeterias will not be open to the public).
“We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult for you. While we are committed to providing a family-centered care environment, right now restricting visitors is in the best interest of our hospitalized patients and staff. Thank you for your cooperation in this effort,” Polk County health officials said in a news release.
