St. Tammany Hospital tightens visitor policy as COVID-19 cases spike

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St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington tightens its visitor policy due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Starting today, only one essential adult caregiver allowed per patient.

“We have the deepest compassion and true empathy for our patients and their families. We know having a loved one with you when you’re in the hospital is uplifting,” Kerry Milton, senior vice president and chief nursing officer, said in a media statement. “We need to limit how many people are coming and going from our hospital as we see community spread of COVID-19 spiking once again. We encourage patients’ families to use technology to stay in touch while in our care, stay home as much as possible, wear a mask and wash your hands.”

The hospital defines “essential caregiver” as a person 18-year-old or older who fit in these categories:

  • Essential transport home after a same-day surgical procedure
  • Laboring mother’s spouse or partner
  • Child’s parents or guardians
  • Critically ill patient’s spouse or significant other
  • Infusion patient’s spouse or caregiver
  • Palliative care patient’s spouse, significant other or adult children
  • Special needs patient that requires family member assistance due to dementia, decreased mental capacity or significant mobility impairment

Caregivers must not have a fever nor show COVID-19 symptoms and must wear a mask and stay either in the patient’s room or in a designated waiting area. Visitation is not allowed on isolation units.

The Times Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate reports, hospital spokesperson, Melissa Hodgson said as of Friday the hospital had 25 COVID-related patients.

You can read more about the changes to the hospital's visitor policy by clicking here.