Hospital increases patient visitor restrictions.

Hospital increases patient visitor restrictions.

LUDINGTON — Spectrum Health has announced that it is increasing its patient visitor restrictions, as a result of an increase in cases and positivity rates of COVID-19, along with increase in COVID-related admissions. According to a press release from Spectrum Health, the revisions are intended to reduce the number of people in its Grand Rapids and regional hospitals and outpatient care sites in order to help prevent the spread of illness and protect patients, health care workers and our communities.

Effective Thursday, November 12 at 6 a.m., adult patients are allowed no family members or visitors, unless they have cognitive impairment or need significant assistance with the activities of daily living. Those with exceptions must have the same visitor during their entire stay. The following exceptions will apply:

• Patients with COVID-19 are not allowed in-person visitors, however the care team will work with patients and families to coordinate virtual visits.
• Labor and delivery obstetrics patients are allowed one adult family member or visitor.
• Intensive care unit (ICU) patients may have one adult family member or visitor between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Hospital surgical patients may have one adult family member or visitor in the surgical waiting area during the time of surgery.
• Emergency department patients with cognitive impairments are allowed one adult family member or visitor.
• Outpatient radiology, lab, rehabilitation patients with cognitive impairments or who need physical assistance are allowed one adult family member or visitor.
• Patients at Spectrum Health Medical Group physician offices, urgent care, surgical and endoscopy centers are allowed one family member or visitor.

For pediatric patients, the following exceptions remain in place:

• Pediatric hospital and emergency department patients under the age of 21 are allowed two adult family members or guests per patient stay.
• For pediatric outpatient services, physician offices and surgery, pediatric patients are allowed one adult family member or guest per patient visit.
• Pediatric radiology patients are allowed one adult family member or guest per patient.

The new restrictions apply to the following Spectrum Health hospitals and nearby Spectrum Health Medical Group physician offices and ambulatory care sites:

• Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
• Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital
• Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
• Spectrum Health Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center
• Spectrum Health Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion
• Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital
• Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial
• Spectrum Health Kelsey Hospital
• Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital
• Spectrum Health Pennock
• Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital
• Spectrum Health United Hospital
• Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital

In addition, to prevent the spread of coronavirus, all visitors are screened and are required to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose to enter the hospitals and outpatient facilities. Spectrum Health dining rooms will be closed to visitors. Hospital food service will be available in the cafeteria through to-go orders.