IU Health eases hospital visitor restrictions
Starting June 15, Indiana University Health will begin relaxing some of the temporary visitor restrictions at all its hospitals put in place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, including IU Health West Hospital in Avon.
The revised guidelines allow for one visitor per patient, per day in inpatient areas. Each visitor will be screened and given a mask, which must be worn at all times inside the facility.
Visitors must be 18 or older, and there will be no visitors for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Visitors in emergency departments, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient clinics and medical offices will be facilitated on a case-by-case basis depending on space and ability to maintain social distancing measures.
“I want to thank our patients and their families for their cooperation with these visitor guidelines as we work together to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” said Jason Gilbert, IU Health executive vice president and chief nursing executive. “I also want to recognize our team members for their remarkable compassion and innovation in developing new ways to connect patients with their loved ones, which is crucial to the healing process.”
IU Health providers and patient-facing team members wear masks at every facility where patient care is provided.
Patients and visitors will also be required to wear masks (provided at no cost). IU Health will also support social distancing guidelines by redesigning spaces and displaying 6-foot distances wherever possible.
The IU Health team said it has also stepped up disinfecting procedures to ensure spaces and surfaces remain thoroughly clean throughout the day.
