Washington: Walla Walla limited access to buildings

March 27, 2020 Providence News Team

Providence to limit access to buildings, screen individuals entering

In order to protect the health of our communities and as a safety precaution to prevent the risk of spreading the coronavirus, Providence St. Mary Medical Center and the Providence Medical Group Clinics are instituting additional visitor restrictions in accordance with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, access into the hospital and clinics will be limited to specific doors.

All individuals entering Providence buildings will be screened for illness and their temperatures taken, then will receive identification indicating they have been approved for entry. People seeking entry as a visitor, support person or purpose other than to seek medical care, and who have a fever or other symptoms, will not be granted entrance. These changes will take effect on Monday, March 16, 2020.

Providence understands the importance of patients having access to their loved ones while receiving care in the hospital. At this time, we ask patients and their families to consider communication through phone and video chat instead of an in-person visit.

Outpatient clinics

Patients being seen in an outpatient clinic or setting may be accompanied by no more than one adult support person. The support person will be screened and their temperature taken before they will be permitted to escort the patient. If they have a temperature or are showing sign of illness, they will not be able to escort the patient, and will be asked to leave the building.

Hospital

To limit the spread of infectious illnesses, no visitors or other individuals except for patients, staff and vendors are allowed. The limited exceptions are:

  • Children needing care may be accompanied by one parent, guardian or power of attorney
  • For childbirth, the father/partner may be admitted
  • Patients receiving end-of-life/palliative care
  • Patients who need assistance making decisions from the person who has power of attorney over health
  • Providence clinics in the hospital may make accommodations as necessary for patients who require assistance getting to their appointments.

For these very limited exceptions, all visitors must be 18 years or older and be immediate family (or powers of attorney, guardians, or patient representative). They will be asked to return home if they exhibit cold or flu-like symptoms, or have a fever. No visitors will be permitted in isolation rooms. There will be no exceptions.

To enforce the restrictions and ensure only approved visitors are entering, doors will be secured and entry will be consolidated. Hospital patient entrances will be:

  • The main entrance facing Fifth Avenue from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all patients except those needing emergency care
  • The Emergency Department entrance for emergencies and patients arriving after 5 p.m.

Providence continues to monitor the risk of COVID-19 closely and will make adjustments to visitor restrictions, as necessary. We appreciate your help in keeping our patients, visitors and caregivers safe.

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The Providence News Team brings you the updates to keep you informed about what's happening across the organizational ecosystem. From partnerships to new doctor announcements, we are committed to keeping you informed.

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