Great River Health to Further Restrict Visitors Due to Rise in COVID-19

West Burlington, Iowa, Aug. 21, 2020 – To protect the health of patients, employees and the
community, Great River Health will begin further restricting visitors Monday, Aug. 24, because
COVID-19 cases in southeast Iowa are increasing rapidly.
Great River Medical Center and Fort Madison Community Hospital, which also is part of Great
River Health, are announcing changes separately.
At Great River Medical Center, there will be no visiting in inpatient units and clinics; however,
there are a few exceptions. Visitors who are at least 18 years old will be allowed in the areas
and situations described below:
• Adult patients requiring assistance may have one visitor.
• Day Hospital, Day Surgery, Heart & Vascular Center and oncology patients may have one
visitor.
• Emergency Department – Visitors may be allowed based on the patient’s clinical situation.
• End of life when death is imminent – Patients may have two visitors.
• Nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – One birth parent plus one significant other
may visit.
• Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays who require a caregiver
to help provide safety may have one visitor.
• Patients with disruptive behavior whose family member is key to their care may have one
visitor.
• Obstetrics Unit – Only the mother’s designated support person may visit, unless COVID-19
is suspected in the mother.
• Pediatrics Unit /patients under 18 – One parent or guardian may visit.
• Women’s Health patients may have one visitor for ultrasound appointments only.
Visitors must pass a screening and stay in the patient’s room or designated visitor area.
Patients are limited to the same visitor for the entire time they are hospitalized. The hospital
cafeteria is not open to visitors.
Screening process
Visitors should use the main hospital entrance. It is open from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
weekdays, and 7:45 a.m. to noon Saturdays. At other times, use the Emergency Department
entrance. Visitors will be asked about the presence COVID-19 and recent travel, and their
temperatures will be taken.
Visitors must wear a mask the entire time they are the building. Masks are available at
screening stations.
Where to go for more information
• For more information, visit greatriverhealth.org
• For COVID-19 questions, call the Iowa Department of Public Health by dialing 211.
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