Greene County Medical Center is implementing additional visitor restrictions due to the continued increase in Covid-19 cases in the county.
Effective Oct. 1, acute care patients will not be allowed visitors with the exception of pediatric patients. Patients in clinics and medical care departments will be allowed only one companion or support person if it is medically necessary. Residents in long term care will be allowed compassionate care visits only.
The additional visitor restrictions are in place to protect patients and medical center employees. “As Greene County continues to see a daily increase in Covid-19 cases, limiting exposure by limiting visitors at the medical center becomes critical in order to have a workforce to care for our patients and communities,” a medical center spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated. “The vaccine is a safe and effective tool in helping us get back to normal and keeping our community safe is our top priority,” they said. The medical center recently implemented a vaccine mandate for employees; employees have until Oct. 29 to be fully vaccinated.
“We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult, but in order to continue to provide care to our community we must further protect our team members from exposure, along with continuing to provide safe care to our patients,” said Susan Moore, chief nursing officer at Greene County Medical Center. “While we are committed to providing a family-centered care environment, right now restriction visitors is in the best interest of our patients, staff and our entire community.”
Visitors allowed
- Must be free from any signs of illness including cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, vomiting or diarrhea, fever 100.0 or greater, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat of a new loss of taste or smell;
- Should not be high risk for severe disease
- Screened by personnel upon entry in the medical center
- Always remain in the patient room as appropriate, which includes no access to the cafeteria or other common areas
- Must wear mask and follow instructions if additional PPE is required
- Must practice hand hygiene when entering and exiting the patient room
- Must social distance
- Siblings under the age of 18 are not allowed to serve as a companion or support person.
These guidelines are temporary and subject to change.
