LMH Health Updates Visitor Policy and Hours
We have received questions regarding the expanded visitation policy, which became effective Friday, June 12. Please note that our response to COVID-19 continues to evolve, and we may change our visitor policies in the future based on guidance from Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, the KDHE and CDC.
Patients on our acute inpatient units can welcome one dedicated visitor during their stay. Visiting hours are from 1-4 p.m. daily for patients on the second and third floors, including those in our medical, post-surgical and ICU units. Patients under investigation or diagnosed with COVID-19 will not be permitted any visitors.
We will also welcome:
- One support person for patients undergoing outpatient procedures and surgeries. We encourage this support person to join the surgical patient in our pre-op area prior to surgery, and to welcome the patient post-surgery in our recovery area. However, if the patient’s surgery, recovery period and transition to the post-surgical floor extend beyond visiting hours, the support person will need to return to visit the patient the next day between 1-4 p.m. This level of caution is to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our facility.
- One support person per patient in the Emergency Department.
- One support person per patient in our clinics, as long as the individual meets hand hygiene and mask requirements.
- One parent or guardian for pediatric patients.
- Very rare exceptions to our visitor policy may be made in extenuating circumstances, as determined by the director and provider.
- Due to the unique nature of the Acute Rehabilitation Unit or Transitional Care Unit on the 4th floor, we are unable to welcome visitors at this time.
- We will continue to welcome one support person for labor and delivery patients, as well as one support person for patients with disabilities or impairments warranting assistance.
We encourage patients to connect with loved ones by electronic means whenever possible. Many phones, tablets and computers have free, easy ways to communicate via video, voice or text. Inpatients can use one of our iPads to connect with their loved ones during their stay.
End of life policy
We welcome two support persons for patients who may be at the end of life. These visitors will be designated upon admission or at some point thereafter, depending on the situation. These will be the only two allowed in-person visitation during the admission and will not be limited to the 1-4 p.m. visiting hours. This also applies to end of life situations in the emergency department. These requirements will help mitigate the risk of COVID transmission to patients and staff and minimize the burden on nursing so they can focus on patient care.
After appropriate screening, masking and proper hand hygiene, the support person will be escorted to the patient’s bedside. If the support person is unable to successfully pass the travel or close contact portions of our screening process, but does not exhibit any signs and symptoms of the virus, he/she will be allowed a one-time visit with the patient for an hour. Unfortunately, if the support person does have any signs and/or symptoms of the virus, he/she will not be allowed to visit in person. We will provide video calling options to connect.
