VISITORS

Masking Update
Patient and Visitor Masking Requirement (06-16-2023)

In accordance with the CDC’s COVID-19 guidance:

A face mask/procedure mask is required in the following circumstances:

  • A procedure mask is required if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and/or if you are positive for COVID-19. Signs and symptoms include runny nose, cough, sneezing, fever, chills, shortness of breath, headache, nausea/vomiting, or diarrhea, congestion, fatigue, body aches, and/or loss of taste/smell.
  • A procedure mask is required for those who have been exposed (patients, visitors, household members, and/or co-workers) to someone positive for COVID-19 infection.
  • A procedure mask may be required in a department caring for moderately to severely immunocompromised patients (such as ED, ICU, and/or Oncology, etc.). Staff will assist you. 
  • Procedure mask may be worn if preferred based upon your personal preference. 
Visitation

Visitors/support persons may visit patients at any time, with the exception of patients who are COVID-19 positive. Patients who are positive for COVID-19 may have two visitors at a time who must wear the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Visitors please go to the department/unit Nurse’s Station for instructions from staff. 

After 8pm please enter through the Emergency Department entrance and stop for an identification badge before proceeding to the waiting area.

Weekdays/Saturdays/Sundays, after 8 pm visitors must check in at the Emergency Room Registration and/or Security Office.

Visiting a COVID-19 Postive Patient

Please coordinate with the Nursing Unit for visitation of someone with COVID-19.
Inpatient COVID-19 Visitor Guidelines

Visitor limitations within Knox Community Hospital care settings are necessary for the safety of our patients, visitors, care teams, and community to control the spread of COVID-19.

Knox Community Hospital is committed to meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of our patients and families, and therefore we present this document as necessary guidelines for visitation with COVID-19 patients.

Guiding Principles:

  1. The safety and well-being of our associates and staff is a top priority.
  2. The final decision around visitation is determined by the patient’s clinical care team and hospital leadership.
  3. The decision to allow visitation with an individual his is COVID-19 Positive will be concordant with the hospital’s current status of personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies, staffing to accommodate the visitor intake process, privacy, and considerations of other patients, and potential risks to the visitor.
  4. No visitation is to occur during aerosol-generating procedures/interventions.
  5. All visitors must be capable of understanding the necessary infection prevention recommendations, including keeping a mask on and hand hygiene.
  6. During the visit, staff should encourage compliance with the visitor keeping PPE on throughout the duration of the visit (no removal of mask for kissing, no removal of gloves for direct contact, etc.)
  7. Nursing will provide instruction before visitors enter patient rooms, on hand hygiene, limiting surfaces touched, and use of PPE according to current facility policy while in the patient’s room.
  8. Visitors should be instructed to only visit the patient room. They should not go to other locations in the facility. Visitors should use the restroom in the patient’s room.
  9. Visitors should be directed to the Nurses’ Station and given the Visitor Guidelines.
  10. Visitors will be restricted to two (2) designated visitors per patient during visiting hours, except End of Life patients.
  11. Visitors leaving the facility following visitation with a COVID-19 Positive individual will remove and dispose of PPE, perform hand hygiene, and leave the facility wearing a clean mask.
  12. End of Life patients: No visitor restrictions. Continue to follow PPE Guidelines as listed above.