Good Samaritan has once again updated visitor restrictions based on local and national COVID-19 data. These new guidelines are for both inpatient and outpatient areas in the hospital, and physician practices.

Beginning June 29, 2020, the following visitation guidelines will be in place:

• Inpatient visitation hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Visitors may change throughout the day, but only one visitor per patient at a time in the facility is allowed.
• All visitors must wear the name tag / arm band issued to them at the screening station.
• All visitors must wear a mask at all times and practice social distancing, even in patient rooms.
• Visitors must follow any isolation precautions in place.
• Visitors must be 16 years or older.
• Visitors must practice good hand hygiene by washing their hands and / or using hand sanitizer prior to entering the room and upon leaving.
• Visitors must limit traffic in the hospital and stay in patient room / area or exit the building.
• Visitors accompanying patients in Outpatient Infusion and Medical / Physician Practices must remain with the patient or waiting room and wear a mask.
• Inpatient Behavioral Health patients can have one designated visitor per stay Monday through Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Patients and visitors will still need to be screened before entering the hospital, provider offices and clinics. A detailed visitation policy can be found on Good Samaritan’s website at gshvin.org/coronavirus.

Rob McLin, President and CEO of Good Samaritan, stated that the hospital is changing the visitation policy, but keeping a close eye on the number of COVID cases in the community. “We know how important it is to our patients and their health to have that support of family and friends while they are in the hospital as an inpatient or receiving outpatient care,” he said. “Screening, hand hygiene and mandatory face masks will still be enforced to ensure everyone’s safety.”

As always, hospital officials are still urging those in the community who have a respiratory illness to first call their primary care provider on the phone to receive guidance on appropriate care. Depending on severity of the illness, the patient may be given guidance on how to self-treat at home or in severe cases to seek emergency medical attention.

Patients who may not feel comfortable visiting the hospital for medical care are encouraged to utilize Good Samaritan’s virtual health care options through My Health Live, which can be accessed by visiting gshvin.org/my-health-live. Patients can also call a 24/7 nurse triage hotline to discuss their symptoms; the phone number is 812-885-3331. If care is needed, the nurse will direct the patient on where to go and what to do. A symptom checker for coronavirus is also available through My Chart.

Information about the coronavirus and the hospital’s current restrictions can be found at gshvin.org/coronavirus.