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Posted: May 7th, 2020
Visitor Policy Update
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (NRMC) has revised its COVID-19 Visitor Policy. Beginning May 11th, patients will now be allowed one designated visitor during their hospital stay or procedure. This is in accordance with Governor John Bel Edwards’ proclamation on May 4, 2020, along with the Louisiana Department of Health’s (LDH) guidance, to allow healthcare facilities the ability to restart time-sensitive procedures.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NRMC has remained proactive in ensuring the health and safety of our community. We have had stringent safety measures in place to protect our Medical Staff, Associates, patients, visitors and our long-term residents at the Courtyard of Natchitoches and Natchitoches Assisted Living,” explained Kirk Soileau, Chief Executive Officer. “Through the years, NRMC has created a culture of safety which has earned our team national recognition including being recognized as a Top 100 SafeCare hospital in the nation for three out of the last four years. As a team we train, plan and prepare for adverse circumstances such as mass casualty events, natural disasters, and even pandemics. I am extremely proud of our team’s response to COVID-19 and the work they have been doing for the well-being of our patients and the community,” Soileau noted.
“When the President of the United States and the Governor stopped all elective and non-emergent testing and procedures they did so, because they wanted to ensure hospitals throughout the nation and state would be prepared for a patient surge during the pandemic. They did not stop key services over safety concerns of spreading the COVID-19 virus,” noted Soileau. “Today, our community has a relatively low transmission rate. In part this is due to the proactive steps taken in our parish to encourage COVID-19 screenings and testing, social distancing, good hand hygiene, and stay-at-home orders. We want to encourage people to keep practicing these important measures. Going forward, NRMC will continue to adhere to all safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and LDH to continue to keep our community safe.”
As the hospital begins to re-open time-sensitive services, procedures and surgeries, all patients and visitors must do their part by adhering to the updated Visitor Rules.
Effective May 11, 2020, Limited Visitation Allows
- One (1) dedicated caregiver per inpatient stay regardless of time of admission. Caregivers may not switch out.
- One (1) dedicated parent/caregiver for pediatric or mentally/physically disabled patients who cannot be left alone.
- One (1) dedicated caregiver/driver for outpatient surgery and/or testing.
- One (1) dedicated family member for those where end of life care is being given. All others per administrative approval.
- One visitor for an Emergency Department visit and surgery procedures.
Reminders
- Visitors to The Courtyard and Natchitoches Assisted Living will continue to be restricted.
- No visitors under age 15.
- No visitors to Insights.
- COVID patients are not allowed visitors, but virtual visits are available. (At this time, all COVID patients are located in a designated unit separate from other non-COVID patients.)
Masks
Visitors will be required to wear a mask during their visit and be screened on arrival and each day thereafter. Personal cloth masks will be acceptable.
Entrances
- All visitors must enter NRMC through the Isadore first floor entrance Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and through the Emergency Department entrance on Saturday and Sunday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. No visitors will be allowed entrance after 5:30 p.m.
- Visitors to the Pain Center and Wound Center will continue to enter through the Keyser entrance.
NRMC is following CDC recommended protocols that may necessitate further changes to our visitation policy.