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 February 22, 2021, the following visitation guidelines will be in place:

• OB patients can have one designated visitor that is 16 years or older during the patient’s entire stay. (May not change designated person).
• Pediatric patients may have two visitors 24/7 age 16 or older. Only parents and guardians are encouraged, but support persons are allowed when parents/guardians are absent.
• Visitation hours for all other inpatient areas are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. One person per patient per day. No changing of visitors are allowed throughout the day.
• 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.
• No visitors under 16 years of age without permission of Nursing Supervisor in consultation with Infection Prevention.
• 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 must remain with the patient or in the 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.
• Medical / Physician Practice patients can have one visitor during the patient’s appointment. The visitor must remain with the patient or in the waiting room and wear a mask.
• CDU patients that are NOT COVID+ can have one visitor during their appointment. Patients that are COVID+ in the CDU can have no visitors.
• Perioperative Services patients can have one visitor 16 years or older. The visitor must stay with the patient or in the designated waiting area. If the patient is admitted, inpatient guidelines will be followed.
• ICU patients that are suspected or confirmed to be COVID-19 positive can have window visits with one designated visitor on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only.
• Window visits are also now available on 3GM Medical / Surgical unit for one designated visitor. These visits will be scheduled with 3GM management.
• Patients that are near the end of life can have un-restricted visitation 24/7. These visitors must wear appropriate PPE.

Adults are encouraged to not bring children with them when the adult has an outpatient appointment, however, in cases where the patient has no childcare available the child may accompany the patient. The child will be screened for illness and must wear a mask.

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.

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.

“Although Knox County is now at the yellow advisory level and seeing the number of COVID-19 cases decrease, we need to maintain strict visitation guidelines to ensure the safety of our patients and staff,” said Rob McLin. “We are now able to offer window visits on a couple of our units as a way for families to see their loved ones while in the hospital in a safe manner.”

Respiratory patients are encouraged to visit the Convenient Care Clinic located at 1813 Willow Street in Vincennes. All other health issues can be seen at the new, second Convenient Care Clinic location inside Williams Bros. Pharmacy at 1216 Washington Avenue in Vincennes.

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.