COVID-19 Visitor Restrictions at Wayne HealthCare

New Visitor Restrictions to Reduce COVID-19 Risk

At Wayne HealthCare, we understand how important visitation is to hospitalized patients who welcome the face-to-face encouragement and support from friends and loved ones. At the same time, the highly contagious COVID-19 coronavirus requires that we take extra precautions to protect our patients, visitors, staff, and community from infection.

Visitor Restrictions: (effective immediately)

• No visitation by anyone who is ill with seasonal flu or COVID-19 symptoms including: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, vomiting, sore throat, muscle aches, or diarrhea.
• No visitation by anyone under the age of 14.
• Visitation will only be allowed by spouses, significant others, parents, legal guardians or adult children.
• Patients will be allowed one (1) visitor per day.* Specifically,
  • Emergency Department patients may have one (1) support person.
  • OB patients may have one partner/support person.
  • Surgical or procedural patients may have one (1) visitor.
  • Patients who require assistance due to mobility, interpretation or healthcare decision making may have one (1) additional assistance person.*
• When visiting a patient, visitors will be asked to primarily remain in the room with the patient.
• Exceptions can be made for end-of-life situations and other special circumstances.
• Because of the increased risk of having complications with COVID-19, the elderly and those with chronic health problems should reconsider whether visiting patients in the hospital is necessary.
• Beginning Monday afternoon, March 16, all patients and visitors will be asked screening questions prior to entering the hospital.

Hospital Entrance Restrictions:

• Additionally, beginning Monday afternoon, March 16, only individuals requiring emergency care will be allowed to use the Emergency Department entrance.
• All other visitors and patients—including those with lab, Women’s Center, or Lifestyle Enhancement Center appointments—should use the hospital’s main lobby entrance.

The Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association (GDAHA) strengthened visitor restrictions for member hospitals, including Wayne HealthCare, to protect patients and ensure their wellbeing, safeguard our hospital workforce, including physicians, nurses and others who are on the frontlines, and limit the overall community spread of COVID-19.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we continue to work with our federal, state, and local health agencies and navigate this ever-evolving coronavirus situation.