Special to Iredell Free News

Effective immediately, Iredell Health System is easing its visitor restrictions at Iredell Memorial Hospital and throughout the Iredell Physician Network to allow individuals of all ages to visit.

“As we continue to see COVID numbers stay at a steady decline in our community, we are happy to be able to once again return to some sense of normalcy with our visitation restrictions and now allow children to visit their loved ones,” said John Green, president & CEO of Iredell Health System. “It’s exciting to be able to reach this point and we look forward to once again seeing more of our community able to visit their loved ones when hospitalized.”

In April the health system changed its restrictions to allow visitors ages 12 and older. Now that restriction has been lifted, with the exception of the Critical Care/Intensive Care unit. All visitors, including children ages two and older, will be required to wear a mask while inside any Iredell Health System facility.

Visitation guidelines are outlined below and are also available online at https://www.iredellhealth.org/patients-and-visitors/visiting-hours/.

All visitors must take the following actions:
• Hospital visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation outside of these hours will be considered only in compassionate care or end-of-life situations.
• Visitors may enter at the main entrance (Entrance A) or Emergency Department entrance (Entrance E), so long as that entrance is open. Entrance A is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. After those hours, all visitors must enter through Entrance E.
• Visitors will be screened for signs of illness before they are allowed to visit. Anyone showing symptoms of illness will not be permitted to visit.
• Visitors must wear a face covering at all times while inside the Health System’s facilities, including children ages 2 and older.
• Visitors must follow all social distancing and safety guidance.
• Food is available in both the Cafeteria and Pink Tea Room. Seating is available in the Cafeteria on the Ground Floor.

COVID-19 Positive Patients
• One (1) visitor per day may visit patients currently isolated for COVID-19.
• Additional visitors may be allowed for end-of-life situations or otherwise approved compassionate care visits.
• Approved visitors must wear appropriate PPE: gown, gloves and surgical mask.
• To learn more about compassionate care visits, please contact the patient’s nurse.

Same Day Surgery, Endoscopy, Radiation Therapy, Cath Lab, Imaging, Women’s Health Center, Outpatient Lab, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Wound Care Center
• Visitors must follow all general visitation requirements.
• Patients arriving for procedures during the week prior to 7:45 a.m. in Endoscopy or the Iredell Heart & Vascular Center, please use the Endoscopy entrance (Entrance C).

Emergency Department
• 2 visitors per patient at a time, at any time of day
• 2 parents or guardians are allowed if patients are under 18

Critical Care
• Visitors must be 12 or older. Exceptions may be made in certain circumstances. Please speak with your loved one’s nurse to learn more.
• 2 visitors per patient at a time, during visitation hours, except for changes in patient condition and/or end-of life situations.
• Visitors must follow the same procedures as all others, including wearing a mask, undergoing screening, etc.

The Birth Place
• 2 visitors at a time, in addition to 1 support person (the support person does not count as a visitor). Additional visitors are permitted if they are the siblings of the infant.

Iredell Physician Network practices, Iredell Mooresville, Iredell Urgent Care
• 2 visitors will be allowed for each patient.

Clergy
• Clergy wishing to visit a patient may do so as long as they comply with all other visitation procedures, including properly wearing a mask and abiding by social distancing guidelines.

Skilled Nursing Visitation
• The Skilled Nursing Facility will allow visitation to all residents at all times during visiting hours.
• Indoor and outdoor visitation is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Other times may be available if needed. Please contact the Director of Nursing to make arrangements for visits outside of normal visiting hours.
• Residents and staff will be screened daily for the presence of symptoms, including temperature check, as well as exposure to COVID-19.
• Visitors will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to the start of each visit. If a visitor has been diagnosed with COVID-19 they must abide by the CDC recommendation of a 10-day quarantine and go 24 hours with no symptoms without the use of medication.
• If a visitor develops symptoms of or a diagnosis of COVID-19 within 2 days of visiting a resident, they must notify the facility director immediately.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are as follows:
o Fever equal to or greater than 100.0 F
o Cough
o Shortness of breath
o Sore throat
o Muscle aches
o Chills
o Headache
o Loss of taste or smell
o Vomiting or diarrhea

Visitors must check in at either the Emergency Department entrance (Entrance E) or the Main entrance (Entrance A) for screening and proceed directly to the resident’s room or visitation space where they will remain for the duration of their visit.
• Staff, residents, and visitors must use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after visitation.
• Visitation may occur outside of these guidelines in certain compassionate situations as deemed appropriate by the Administrator or Director of Nursing.
• Staff, residents, and visitors must wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth for the duration of the visit. Physical distancing of six feet is recommended. Cloth masks are not allowed and a surgical mask will be provided.
• Although not recommended, residents who are on transmission-based precautions or quarantine may still receive visitors in their room. The resident should wear a well-fitting mask if tolerated. Visitors must be aware of the risks of visiting and precautions necessary to visit. Visitors must adhere to the core principles of infection prevention and wear appropriate PPE as directed by staff.

About Iredell Health System

Iredell Health System includes Iredell Memorial Hospital; Iredell Home Health; Iredell Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center; Community and Corporate Wellness; Occupational Medicine; the Iredell Physician Network and more. Iredell Memorial Hospital is the largest and only nonprofit hospital in Iredell County. The comprehensive healthcare facility has 247 beds; more than 1,700 employees; and has 260 physicians representing various specialties. Centers of excellence include Women’s and Children’s; Cardiovascular; Cancer; Surgical Services and Wellness & Prevention. The mission of Iredell Health System is to inspire wellbeing. For a comprehensive list of services and programs, visit www.iredellhealth.org.