Pardee UNC Health Care Announces Heightened Visitor Restrictions

New restrictions go into effect at 5pm, Dec. 20, 2020

Due to the increased spread of COVID-19 in Henderson County, and in order to limit the risk of exposure for patients, caregivers, and employees, Pardee is reinstating more stringent restrictions for visitors across all of its facilities. The new visitor restrictions go into effect at 5pm, Sunday, December 20, 2020.

Visitors

Effective immediately, no visitors will be permitted in any inpatient areas at Pardee Hospital until further notice, with the exceptions noted below:

One visitor will be allowed for:

• Pediatric patients
• Partner of a laboring mother
• In-person discharge instructions for outpatient surgery

 Additional hospital restrictions are as follows:

• No visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed to visit for the foreseeable future.
• The number of entrances to the hospital remain limited. All approved visitors and patients, including vendors and contractors, will be screened at designated entry points, including the Emergency Department.
• Any visitors who are allowed must pass a health screening. Visitors should not visit our campuses if they have one or more of the following symptoms—fever, cough or shortness of breath—or have come into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
• Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 or are under suspected COVID-19 investigation may not have any visitors, unless compassionate care is approved. 

Medical Necessities & End of Life:

The number of visitors for end-of-life situations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, a caregiver may be allowed for patients where a family member or significant other is essential to patient care. These decisions will be made by the care team.

Patient Access to Hospital Entrances:

• Emergency Department Entrance - open 24/7 to patients only. The only exception is one guardian for a patient under 18 years old and one caregiver for laboring OB patients
• Day Surgery Entrance - open Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Main Entrance (800 N. Justice St.) - open Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. to patients only

• • Scheduled appointments for cardiac and vascular patients, wound care, pain management, radiology and labs, use the Main Entrance

Pardee UNC Health Care Clinics and Outpatient Facilities:

• Imaging services and procedures – visitors / caregivers escorting patients to Kayden Outpatient Imaging must remain in their vehicles until the patient procedure is complete. 
• Pardee Cancer Center – no visitors except when a patient is given diagnosis information.
• Cardiovascular services and procedures- visitors / caregivers escorting patients remain in their vehicles until the patient procedure is complete. 
• PATHS - no visitors allowed.
• Pardee Urgent Care - only one guardian for patients under 18 permitted.
• All Pardee Physician Practices – all patients are asked to come to appointments alone. Only one guardian for patients under 18 permitted. If patients have an escort, they are asked to remain in their vehicle.

Regardless of facility, all patients and any allowed visitors are required to wear masks and will be screened upon entry to the practice.   

Billing, Customer Service and Health Information (Medical Records):

No visitors will be allowed at these offices. Patients can call the following numbers to receive assistance:  

• Health Information Management, including release of information:  828-696-1096
• Billing/Customer Service:  828-696-1183 or 828-698-7315

“These restrictions have been put in place to protect everyone’s safety.” said David Ellis, MD, chief medical officer, Pardee UNC Health Care. “Even with the arrival of a COVID vaccine just last week, we still have work to do.” Ellis adds that the best scientific data at hand currently supports adhering to the 3Ws of wearing a mask, washing your hands, and waiting six feet apart as essential elements in successful efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. 

“We know it’s difficult to not have access to a loved one in the hospital, but for now, we have to take this important step in order to gain some traction and allow our staff to safely care for our patients” said Ellis. Hospital clinical care teams encourage the use of electronic communication like FaceTime or Skype for a “virtual” visit, in place of in-person visitation.