Great River Medical Center has resumed limited visiting in most inpatient
areas. In August, inpatient visiting was suspended in response to increasing
cases of COVID-19 in the community.
Most inpatients may have one visitor per day between noon and 6 p.m. Visitors
may not leave and return in the same day. Patients must give the name
of their visitor to a member of their health care team before the visitor arrives.
Visitors must:
· Be at least 18 years old
· Pass COVID-19 screening
· Use the main entrance
· Wear a mask at all times while in the building
· Stay in the patient’s room or designated visitor area
Patients in these situations may not have visitors:
· COVID-19 Unit
· Under investigation for COVID-19
· Isolation precautions, except for restrictive and contact precautions
Area-specific information
Visiting times and restrictions vary in these areas:
· Behavioral Health Unit – Visiting hours are 3 to 5 p.m.
· End of life when death is imminent – Two visitors
· Obstetrics Unit – One partner or birth support person
- Nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients – One birth
parent plus one significant other
· Pediatrics Unit/patients under 18 – One parent or guardian
Exceptions
Exceptions that require approval for visitation outside of visiting hours
by the unit director include:
- Family members may participate in care planning meetings when required.
- Patients who have transitioned to comfort care.
- Patients with disruptive behavior whose family member is key to their care
may have one visitor overnight.
- Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays who require
a caregiver to help provide safety may have one visitor overnight.
Other special circumstances may be approved by the unit director.
Outpatient areas and clinics
· Clinics (most) – Adult patients who require a caregiver
and children under 18 may have one visitor.
- Women's Health – One visitor for ultrasound appointments only
· Cancer treatment – One visitor
· Day Hospital – One visitor
· Day Surgery– One visitor
· Diagnostic Imaging – No visitors unless the patient is under
17 or needs assistance
· Emergency Department – No visitors unless approved by staff
based on the patient’s clinical condition
· Heart & Vascular Center – One visitor
· Laboratory testing – No visitors unless the patient is under
17 or needs assistance
Screening process
All potential visitors and outpatients are screened before entering the
hospital through these locations:
- Main entrance – 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
- Emergency Department entrance – 24 hours a day
- Cancer Care Plaza – 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Mercy Plaza – 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Wellness Plaza – 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (beginning
Oct. 7); 7 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday
All other entrances are closed.
Everyone entering the hospital is asked about the presence of respiratory
symptoms and recent travel, and their temperatures are taken. If potential
visitors are positive in any area, they will not be allowed to visit.
Get accurate information
To get other accurate information, visit GreatRiverHealth.org or dial 211
to call the Iowa Department of Public Health.