MADISON, Wis. – Reductions in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have enabled UW Health and UnityPoint Health – Meriter to allow more visitors for patients, effective Friday, May 26.
At both health systems, for adult hospital stays, two visitors or support people are allowed at a time during visiting hours, but there is no limit to the total number of different visitors per patient.
For clinic and urgent care visits at both health systems, there is also no limit to the number of visitors.
At the UW Health emergency department, two visitors are permitted. At UnityPoint Health – Meriter, one is allowed for adult patients, and two are allowed for pediatric patients.
“This update reflects the importance of keeping patients connected with their loved ones as they receive care while continuing to create a safe and healing environment for patients, visitors and staff,” said Amy Garza, director, patient experience, UnityPoint Health – Meriter.
At Birthing and Newborn Services in UnityPoint Health – Meriter Hospital, two visitors older than the age of 16 can be with a patient at any time, including overnight and in the neonatal intensive care unit. One visitor older than the age of 16 is allowed overnight for patients who are pre- and post-childbirth. At American Family Children’s Hospital, two designated primary caregivers older than the age of 16 can be with a patient at any time, including overnight. Additional visitors are allowed during hospital visiting hours, but there can only be two visitors in the patient’s room at a time.
“We’ve watched the data closely, and we’re applying what we’ve learned to offer this additional flexibility to our patients and their visitors,” said Colleen Feldhausen, interim director, patient and family experience, UW Health.
Visitors who are currently experiencing or recently experienced any acute respiratory symptoms, such as a cough or shortness of breath, or who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 10 days are not permitted.
Full details for visitor and masking guidelines can be found on www.uwhealth.org/pvg and https://uph.link/
