NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Both Yale-New Haven Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital have announced they will be implementing visitor restrictions once more as COVID-19 numbers continue to increase across the state:
Yale-New Haven Hospital
Yale-New Haven Hospital announced Tuesday morning that due to the increasing concern regarding the community spread of COVID-19, they will be limiting visitor access to patients at their hospital and out-patient facilities.
The hospital laid out new restrictions and requirements for staff and visitors:
- There is no visitation to hospitalized patients due to the highly contagious nature of COVID-19. Rare exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the patient’s clinical team.
- Among the visitor exceptions that can be made will be for maternity patients, children who are patients, patients for whom end-of-life is imminent, NICU patients, and patients with disabilities, such as altered mental status; physical, intellectual or cognitive disabilities; communication barriers; or behavioral concerns.
- The hospital encourages visitors to remain closely connected to their loved ones through virtual means, including Skype, FaceTime and/or phone.
- All visitors who do enter the hospital will be screened for evidence of illness by the staff at the front desk. Should questions arise, front desk staff will contact clinical leadership for guidance.
- Visitors who are sick will not be permitted to enter the hospital; this is without exception.
Trinity Health of New England
Saint Francis Hospital
Trinity Health Of New England said their visitation guidance is determined by the prevalence of COVID-19 within the community.
As a result of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Connecticut and surrounding states, Saint Francis Hospital has re-implemented Phase 1 of the ministry’s visitation policy.
Saint Francis Hospital will be closed to visitors, with exceptions for compassionate care situations, which will be made on a case-by-case basis. This visitation policy also includes the emergency department.
Compassionate visits include:
· Children admitted to the hospital
· Maternity
· Hospice Care/End of Life
· A companion for the facilitation of care
For those exceptions, only one visitor will be allowed, and they must be:
· 18 years or older
· Either immediate family members, powers of attorney, guardians or patient representatives
· Healthy with no symptoms of illness including respiratory or fever
All visitors who are permitted will be screened prior to entry.
We recognize that the care and support of loved ones is important. Please know that the safety of our patients and colleagues is of the utmost importance. With proper authorization in place, we commit to communicating with family and friends as frequently as possible