Adena Softens Visitor Restrictions

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(CHILLICOTHE) – Adena Health System announced that it has adjusted its visitor policy effective immediately in an effort to loosen restrictions due to declines in regional COVID-19 cases.

To ensure a safe environment, all visitors are still required to maintain social distancing, follow hand hygiene guidelines, and must wear a mask or face covering throughout their visit, including while inside patient rooms.

“We recognize how important family, friends and support persons are to a patient’s recovery, and we’re pleased to be able to welcome more people back into our facilities,” said Chief Clinical Officer Kirk Tucker, MD. “As we continuously review all available data, we felt like this was the right time to loosen some of our visitor restrictions as our hospitalizations related to COVID-19 decrease and more people in our communities are being vaccinated.”

He added, “While these are good signs, it does not signal an end in our fight against Coronavirus. I urge everyone to continue to push for adoption of the precautions we all know work – like masking, hand hygiene and social distancing – and push for high rates of vaccination so we can overcome this virus.”

Highlights to the new visitor policy guidelines include: 

Inpatients: Non-COVID patients may have two visitors. Visitation is still restricted for COVID positive or suspected positive patients.

Outpatient/Ambulatory: One support person allowed per patient. Limits may be necessary based on clinic/department’s space allowing for social distancing.

Inpatient Maternity/Labor and Delivery/Pediatrics: Patients may have three visitors throughout duration of each day. 

Behavior Health: One visitor per patient between the hours of 5-6:30 p.m.

Hospital visiting hours have also expanded to 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., seven days a week.

Adena’s full visitor policy is available at Adena.org/VisitorPolicy.

Age 16+ Added To List Of Vaccine Recipients For “Unused” Clinic Appointments/Changes Announced For Nursing Home Visitations

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Health departments and other vaccine clinics in Ohio have been given the green light to give shots to anyone age 16 and older if they can’t fill appointment slots now through March 29th.

March 29th is the date when anyone 16+ can make appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Ohio. The governor made this announcement while visiting a vaccination site in Youngstown Monday morning.

COVID-19 vaccines are currently available to individuals age 40 and older and for those with cancer, obesity and heart disease.

The state will be opening more mass vaccination clinics around Ohio, including at Adena Health System in Chillicothe the week of March 29th, if they receive their expected shipment of Johnson & Johnson vaccine- according to Governor DeWine.

In his Monday afternoon COVID-19 update press conference, the governor updated state health orders that brings about more changes that allows more visitations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  

NURSING HOME/ASSISTED LIVING VISITATION

The Ohio Department of Health will issue an updated order related to assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The general visitation requirements will remain the same, including the requirement that visitors schedule appointments in advance, are screened at the door, and wear masks. Changes to the order include: 

  • Ohio is requiring that visitation be permitted whenever safety protocols can be met. Previously, visitation was permitted, not required;
  • Vaccinated residents may have physical touch with their visitor while wearing a mask. Previously, touch was discouraged;
  • Visits may occur in a resident’s private room, as opposed to the previous requirement of a separate visitation area;
  • 30 minutes should serve as the minimum amount of time for a visit. Previously, 30 minutes was the maximum time to visit.

The order will also expand the circumstances in which compassionate care visits should be granted.

In addition, the order will update nursing home and assisted living testing requirements to require the facilities to test vaccinated staff once per week and unvaccinated staff twice per week. The previous order made no distinction between vaccinated or unvaccinated staff.

“We must continue regularly testing for the virus,” said Governor DeWine. “It’s just good science, and it will help us identify cases early and prevent the spread. Further, if COVID is controlled, that means less disruption to visitation.”

Certain circumstances, such as a facility outbreak, may necessitate that visitation be restricted on a case-by-case basis. Nursing homes must also continue following federal regulations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

For more information you can visit: Coronavirus.Ohio.gov