Southern Tennessee Regional Health System EASES VISITOR RESTRICTIONS
Limited visitation now available for most patients as elective and non-urgent procedures gradually resume
Winchester, Tennessee (May 21, 2020) – Southern Tennessee Regional Health System announced today that it is transitioning from a zero-visitor protocol to limited visitor restrictions as the hospital gradually resumes elective and non-urgent cases and services at its facilities. The decision was made as current projections continue to indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region and after careful review of state and federal guidance. Effective, Tuesday, May 26, 2020 updated restrictions, which will now allow most patients to have one visitor or support person per day, will be implemented.
“Our hospital’s top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community,” said Cliff Wilson, chief executive officer (CEO) of Southern Tennessee Regional Health System. “We continue to monitor closely the prevalence of the virus in our community as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients, and we feel confident that it is safe to begin allowing limited visitors again at this time.”
As part of the updated visitor restrictions, ICU and med-surg patients will be limited to one well visitor per day (cannot be rotated, must be the same individual for the respective day). One well companion for outpatient appointments and one well support person for obstetric patients will also be permitted (cannot be rotated, must be the same individual for the respective day).
All visitors must be 12 years of age or older, will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask and a sticker while in the facility. Visitors who do not pass the screening at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free. Visitors are not allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised or respiratory patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19. Additionally, visitors are not allowed for Same-Day Surgery patients and Skilled Care, Senior Advantage, and Inpatient Rehab units (some approved exceptions may apply - e.g. pediatric patients, POA, and those receiving end-of-life care).
Southern Tennessee Regional Health System continues to screen everyone who enters the facility for symptoms consistent with COVID-19, per CDC guidelines. For additional updates on how the hospital is working to maintain a safe and supportive environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit SouthernTnWinchester.com.
About Southern Tennessee Regional Health System
Part of LifePoint Health, Southern Tennessee Regional Health System (STRHS) is a regional network of hospitals and health care services serving the healthcare needs of communities in the southern Tennessee region with facilities in Winchester, Sewanee, Pulaski, and Lawrenceburg. The system has 382 licensed beds, more than 300 affiliated physicians, 1,250 employees, and serves more than 160,000 people in rural communities in the region. The Winchester campus provides inpatient and outpatient services to Franklin County and the surrounding area at its 131-bed acute care facility and physician practices. For more information, visit http://southerntennessee.com.