MDH Announces Revised Visitor Guidelines

MACOMB, Ill. – McDonough District Hospital announced Tuesday (June 16) updates to the COVID-19 visitor policy for inpatient visits and outpatient appointments. The change goes into effect immediately.

All inpatient visitors and designated person accompanying an outpatient must be at least 18 years old. Every person entering a MDH building must have their temperature taken and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Everyone will also be asked if they have been tested for COVID-19 and whether the results are pending or positive. 

Wearing a face covering is mandatory inside MDH buildings. One will be provided to patients and visitors if necessary.

The inpatient visitor guidelines are as follows:

• Inpatients can designate one (1) visitor per day. Visiting hours are 2-8 p.m. and visitors must enter through the screening tents at the Emergency Room entrance for temperature and COVID-19 symptoms screenings. Visitors are restricted to the patient rooms with hallway access only when arriving and departing, they are not allowed in the cafeteria or in waiting rooms. 
• An obstetrics patient may have a significant other or support person during labor/delivery and post-partum.
• A minor who is a patient may have one parent or guardian. 
• Patients in isolation due to COVID-19 are not allowed an in-person visit. However, hospital staff can make special arrangements for video chats with isolated COVID-19 patients.
• Patients with special needs may have one visitor with them.
• Special considerations are possible for patients receiving trauma or end-of-life care. 

Guidelines for outpatient appointments/visits include:

• Patients can bring one (1) designated person with them during provider appointments or visit to the Emergency Room.
• Patients may have one designated person with them during an outpatient surgery clinic visit, but there are no visitors allowed to wait during outpatient surgical procedures. The MDH medical staff will update the patient’s designated person on the status of the procedure. 

“As part of our ongoing attempts to provide the best care both for our patients and for families we are going to relax our visitation restrictions. When there was significant community spread of the virus this was a necessity, but now that things have calmed down some we are going to allow visitation in the hospital,” said MDH Chief Medical Officer Edwin Card, MD. “The rationale for our restrictions is that we do not want to have large numbers of people congregate in a single space if they do not need to be there. Because of this, we will not be allowing visitation for outpatient surgery. Inpatient visitation will be confined to the patient's room with adequate social distancing and avoidance of common spaces like waiting rooms and the cafeteria. Please understand that this is being done to protect everyone's health and safety. Thank you for your understanding in what has been a difficult time for all.”

Any visitor who runs a fever of 100.5 or displays symptoms of respiratory illness will not be allowed to enter the hospital and directed home, or encouraged to call the MDH Convenience Clinic or their primary care provider.

These visitor guidelines are subject to change based on any future COVID-19 community outbreak. 

MDH will continue to post any updated COVID-19 news on its website, www.MDH.org/COVID19.