OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – As healthcare officials across Oklahoma closely monitor the spread of novel coronavirus, hospitals and clinics across the state are taking additional steps to protect the health of patients and the community.
“Hospitals understand the desire of patients, as well as their families and loved ones, to be together during illness or hospitalization, but recognize the hospital’s responsibility to keep everyone safe.
Therefore, visitors may see restricted visitation policies at Oklahoma hospitals, outpatient centers and physician clinics,” a release by the Oklahoma Hospital Association.
Officials say people who are experiencing symptoms like fever, coughing, runny nose, and sneezing should not visit hospitalized patients.
For a limited time, people may see certain visitor restriction policies at Oklahoma hospitals. Officials say this could include limiting the number of visitors per patient, restricting the number of entry points into the facility, and a brief screening for all visitors.
Families and friends are also asked to restrict the number of people that accompany patients to outpatient and physician appointments to one person per patient, per appointment.
Mercy issued a news release detailing restrictions at its Oklahoma hospitals:
“Out of an abundance of caution, our next critical step in safeguarding our patients and co-workers is to begin enforcing restricted visitor access statewide. Effective at 6 a.m. Saturday, March 14, all Mercy hospitals in Oklahoma will limit access to one visitor per Mercy patient. Visitors will be allowed in Mercy hospitals 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekend hours may vary by location,” the Mercy news release states.
Oklahoma Heart Hospital also issued a news release breaking down its restriction policy.
“Out of an abundance of caution, our next critical step in safeguarding our patients and team members is to begin enforcing restricted visitor access at our hospitals and clinics. Effective at 6 a.m. Saturday, March 14, Oklahoma Heart Hospital will limit access at its north and south campus to one visitor per patient. Visiting hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily,” the Heart Hospital’s news release states.
