CHAPEL HILL – UNC Health Care, with facilities in Pittsboro and an affiliate hospital in Siler City, has announced enhanced precautions at all of its facilities statewide as concerns grow regarding the spread of coronavirus/COVID-19.
UNC Health announced it is enacting “stricter restrictions for visitors, vendors, volunteers and students at its facilities across the state, including outpatient facilities and clinics.”
The hospital system is asking any “visitor, vendor, volunteer or student with fever, cough, cold or flu-like symptoms” should not enter any UNC Health facility. Personal masks will not be provided, according to a press release outlining coronavirus precautions.
“These visitor restrictions may be tightened further as the COVID-19 situation evolves.”
Effective immediately, the following measure are in place at UNC Health facilities:
• one designated visitor per patient for the duration of his/her stay/appointment will be permitted in the majority of patient areas at UNC Health facilities across the state
• pediatric areas will allow two designated guardians per patient. In accordance with state guidelines, psychiatry areas will prohibit all visitation with the exception of child psych/adolescent areas, on a case-by-case basis.
• additional exceptions will be granted for end-of-life situations at the discretion of the care team. All visitors to UNC Health facilities may be subject to health screening at any time. No visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed to visit for the foreseeable future.
• only vendors and contractors who are essential to patient care and business operations will be allowed onsite on an as-needed basis. Vendors and contractors who do not directly support patient care and critical business operations should work remotely and will not be allowed in UNC Health facilities until further notice. Vendors and contractors may be subject to health screening at any time prior to entry or while onsite at any UNC Health facility.
• volunteers “are extremely important to the function of UNC Health hospitals and clinics,” the press release states, “but it is equally important to protect the health of those volunteers and the people with whom they come in contact. Volunteers who do not directly support patient care activities or essential business operations should not report to UNC Health facilities until further notice. These volunteers should follow the same requirements as UNC Health employees. Volunteers age 65 and older, and those with underlying health conditions are discouraged from participating in their volunteer roles at this time.”
Students
UNC Health is an academic health system that values the mission of educating a health workforce for North Carolina and beyond.
Additional restrictions are in place for UNC students.
“As we face the challenge of COVID-19, the education mission is clearly secondary to the primary mission of caring for the patients and populations we serve, the press release states.
Students are allowed under the enhanced guidelines in the clinical setting, with the some expectations.
“As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we felt it was important to tighten access to our hospitals and clinics,” said UNC Health CEO Dr. Wesley Burks. “Our top priority is to ensure the safety and welfare of patients, their families, and our incredible staff. While restricted access to our facilities will cause some inconvenience, we know it is in the best interest of our entire state.”
In addition to the restrictions outlined above, community events, activities, and meetings hosted at all UNC Health campuses also are canceled until further notice.
FirstHealth
FirstHealth of the Carolinas is also asking for the community’s cooperation in helping limit the spread of coronavirus and seasonal flu, likewise enacting stricter precautions.
“To protect patients, visitors and staff, FirstHealth asks the community to adhere to the following precautions when visiting FirstHealth’s four hospitals:
• Please visit immediate family only
• Please do not allow children under 12 to visit the hospital
• Do not visit anyone in the hospital if you have come in contact with someone who is known to have COVID-19 or if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue
• Remember to wash your hands and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of infections.”
The restrictions apply at all FirstHealth hospitals: Moore Regional, Montgomery Memorial, MRH-Richmond and MRH-Hoke. Patients are asked to adhere to the restrictions when visiting any area of the hospital including rehabilitation and outpatient clinics.
“FirstHealth is working closely with state and local health departments to monitor the rapidly evolving outbreak of COVID-19,” a release states. “As the situation changes, additional restrictions could be put into place.”
Managing Editor Randall Rigsbee can be reached at rigsbee@chathamnr.com