Good Samaritan Updating Visitation Guidelines Due To Decrease In Covid-19 Community Transmission

Due to the significant decrease in COVID-19 transmission in the community, Good Samaritan has made updates to its visitor guidelines. The most notable change is allowing two visitors for inpatient visitation. Outpatient, perioperative (outpatient surgery) and medical practice patients are still restricted to one visitor age 16 or older only if needed to help with medical, mobility and cognitive needs who is age 16 or older.

Although the number of COVID transmissions has decreased throughout the county, Good Samaritan asks that all non-essential visitors please refrain from visiting facilities at this time. This includes anyone who is not visiting or assisting a patient (ex. non-essential vendors, visitors to our cafeteria, gift shop and coffee shop).

“Our region’s Patient Safety Coalition has been meeting every couple of weeks to assess visitation and to review the trends of circulating COVID illness within our communities,” said Laura McBee, Infection Prevention Coordinator. “We have sustained a steady decline in COVID within our community and hospital and feel we can safely relax our visitation.”

McBee also noted that it is important to know that the community is still in the midst of flu season and as masking regulations begin to relax, it is very possible viral illnesses will trend upward. Good Samaritan will continue to assess illness trends within the community and hospital, and modify visitation as necessary. The organization continues to require masking within facilities, promotes distancing and is screening visitors.

As a reminder, Good Samaritan asks everyone to do their part to stay safe and keep others safe when attending medical appointments. Below are some examples of how the organization and the community can do their part:

• If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, or runny nose, please call ahead to your provider’s office prior to coming inside the office.
• Consider a virtual visit for routine or acute visits that may not require an in-person visit. Your provider’s office can help guide you with the best type of visit for you.
• Only bring one visitor with you to your appointment if they are necessary for mobility or medical decision-making.
• When attending an in-person appointment:
  • Wear your mask over your nose and mouth. Masks are required, even if vaccinated.
  • Maintain a distance of 6 feet from non-household members where possible.

If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, or runny nose, please contact your primary care physician or call Good Samaritan’s nurse triage line at 812-885-3331. COVID-19 testing is available at the Convenient Care Clinic located at 1813 Willow Street. Testing must be scheduled online at gshvin.org/covidtest.

Visitors to Good Samaritan facilities can conduct a self-screening assessment before arriving to check if they are eligible to enter our facilities. The screening assessment can be found on the gshvin.org homepage under the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information section.

The full visitor guidelines can also be found on the hospital website.