Staying in the hospital can be stressful, and visitors can help ease that stress. So, why has Sanford Health limited visitors?
Above all, health care providers want patients and loved ones to continue to be comforted.
Comfort in this case translates to a safer environment for Sanford Health clinics, medical centers and the communities they serve because it makes them less susceptible to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To that end, Sanford Health is updating its visitor policy to protect the health and safety of its patients and staff.
In general, each patient is allowed two visitors at hospitals and clinics across the health system, and masks are required at all times.
Visiting hours and limits may vary by location. For details, please see our latest visitor policy or contact the location directly.
Visitor policy serves common good
In this case, it’s a way of offering comfort by promoting safety. It applies to patients and the people who care for them. In doing so it serves the common good.
“The patients who enter our doors become family, and we will continue to look out for each other during this time,” said Allison Suttle, M.D., chief medical officer for Sanford Health.
“It is important that we all do our part to prevent this illness from spreading in our communities by practicing good hygiene and staying home if we are sick. Let’s continue to take care of each other.”
The new visitor policy follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Protecting those vulnerable
To protect long-term care residents, the Good Samaritan Society set visitor restrictions early on in the COVID-19 pandemic. While safety remains our top priority, locations can now allow in-person visits because of the precautions we’re taking. Please note, visitation in long-term care may vary according to guidelines from state and local departments of health.
Sanford Health followed by applying a similar philosophy to its clinics and medical centers.
“It’s another area and another group of individuals that are likely to be vulnerable,” Dr. Suttle said. “They’re already sick. Their immune systems could be compromised.”
Even if you are not sick, you could be a carrier, Dr. Suttle said. Along with vaccines and treatments for COVID-19, visitor restrictions and other social distancing measures are in place to help stop its spread.
Information in this article was accurate when it was posted. As the COVID-19 pandemic changes, scientific understanding and guidelines may have changed since the original publication date.
Learn more
- COVID-19 FAQs: What is social distancing?
- What kind of mask is best? Ask an infectious disease doctor
- Good Samaritan iPads ‘bring life’ to residents nationwide
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Posted In COVID-19
