Hailey Tran
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals in Ohio have had to change their visitor policies multiple times. In March 2020, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center announced a no-visitor policy with only three exceptions: end-of-life situations, maternity, and patients under 18. Inpatient and emergency department visitors were also not allowed at the Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth, and Mount Carmel Health System. As of December 2020, hospitals in Ohio are changing their policies again as hospitalizations and cases continue to spike. As of February 2021, Ohio hospitals have started to allow limited visitors again as the pandemic recedes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | November 2020 |
| Hospitals | Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth, Mount Carmel Health System, Summa Health, UC Health, Cleveland Clinic |
| Visitor Policy | No visitors allowed except in end-of-life situations, maternity, and patients under 18 |
| Exceptions | Patients allowed one visitor per day, with the exception of COVID-19 patients |
| COVID-19 Patients | No visitors allowed |
| Visitor Requirements | Wear a mask, no COVID-19 symptoms, sanitize hands frequently, stay in designated areas |
| Visitation Hours | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Visitor Changes | Patients cannot change their designated visitor once named |
| Pediatric Patients | Allowed two visitors |
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What You'll Learn
Visitor restrictions at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center announced a no-visitor policy for its seven hospitals, with only three exceptions:
- "End of life" situations
- Maternity
- Patients under 18
In addition, patients undergoing inpatient surgery were permitted to have one visitor on the day of surgery and the following day.
The restrictions were implemented to ensure the health and safety of everyone at the hospital and took effect on March 20, 2020.
It is important to note that hospital policies may have changed since then, and it is always a good idea to check the latest updates on their website or by contacting them directly.
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Summa Health's visitor policy
In response to the spread of COVID-19, Summa Health has implemented a no-visitors policy with certain exceptions. These exceptions include:
- One healthy visitor per patient, per day, for patients in serious or critical condition or under hospice care.
- End-of-life situations (approval for requests for more than one person will be made by a nurse manager).
- Adult patients with cognitive or mental disabilities who require assistance with medical care or activities of daily living.
- People who must exercise power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship for a patient.
Additional exceptions must be approved by the hospital's administrator on call. Visitors who are experiencing symptoms like coughing, fever, or chills will not be allowed inside any Summa Health facility. There will be mandatory temperature checks for visitors, and face masks are required. Minors will be able to visit with an adult.
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The Cleveland Clinic's four-level, colour-coded scale
In Ohio, hospitals have been changing their policies to curb the spread of COVID-19 and avoid hitting maximum capacity.
The Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical centre, implemented a four-level, colour-coded scale to decide when and how many visitors are allowed in the facilities based on COVID-19 trends. The four levels of the colour-coded scale are:
- Level Red: Visitation restricted. Only one visitor per patient is allowed, and they must be the one consistent visitor. Pediatric patients are allowed two visitors.
- Level Orange: Visitation is restricted to one visitor per patient.
- Level Yellow: Visitation is open, but with some restrictions.
- Level Green: Visitation is open without restrictions.
The colour-coded scoring is displayed on every screensaver throughout the units, allowing caregivers to access patient information and intervene as needed. This system has reportedly led to a sharp decline in patients reaching red status.
The Cleveland Clinic also uses colour-coded systems for patient care, such as the Situational Awareness Virtual Electronic Scout (SAVES) tool, which translates designated vital sign values into a colour-coded risk stratification score.
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MetroHealth's policy on masks and face shields
As of December 2020, MetroHealth's policy on masks and face shields requires every visitor to wear a mask. Visitors will also have their temperature checked. Children under 2 years old are not required to wear masks, and if a visitor cannot wear a mask due to health reasons, they will be offered a face shield or asked to do a video call with the patient instead.
The use of face shields in conjunction with masks has been a topic of discussion and study during the COVID-19 pandemic. Face shields are typically used in medical settings to protect healthcare workers, but their use has expanded to other public spaces such as schools, restaurants, and grocery stores. They cover the eyes, nose, and mouth—all areas where the coronavirus can enter the body. This provides an advantage over masks, as people wearing masks often have to remove them to communicate effectively. Face shields are also more comfortable, easier to breathe in, and simpler to put on and take off.
However, some experts argue that there is limited research on the effectiveness of face shields compared to masks. While face shields can reduce inhalation exposure to cough aerosols, their effectiveness decreases over time as the aerosols disperse. Additionally, due to the lack of a good peripheral facial seal, plastic face shields may allow for aerosol penetration. As a result, government health officials recommend wearing masks in public settings when physical distancing is not possible.
Overall, while face shields offer some benefits, it is generally recommended to wear masks in public settings to reduce the spread of infections, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Central Ohio hospitals' limited visitor allowance
In March 2020, multiple hospital systems in Central Ohio, including the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Mount Carmel, and OhioHealth, restricted visitors in response to the spread of COVID-19. Initially, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center implemented a no-visitor policy with only three exceptions: "end of life" situations, maternity, and patients under 18. Mount Carmel also announced visitor restrictions at multiple locations.
In November 2020, as COVID-19 cases surged, the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State and other Central Ohio hospital systems reinstated their no-visitor policies for inpatient and emergency department visitors, with a few exceptions. OhioHealth also adjusted its visitation policy, allowing only one visitor per patient.
By February 2021, as the pandemic began to recede, Central Ohio hospitals started to allow limited visitors again. Ohio State announced that hospital and surgery patients could have one visitor per day, with the option to change their designated visitor daily. OhioHealth also permitted one visitor per patient, who could come and go once per day. Exceptions were made for patients receiving end-of-life care, who could have up to three visitors at any given time, and minor patients, who could have two parents or guardians visit. Maternity patients were limited to one visitor for the duration of their stay.
These hospitals implemented dynamic visitor policies, adapting their restrictions based on the evolving COVID-19 situation to balance patient care and safety.
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Frequently asked questions
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio hospitals have restricted visitors. Visitor restrictions were first put in place in March 2020 and have been adjusted several times since then. As of December 2020, most hospitals in Ohio are under visitation restrictions.
Exceptions to the no-visitor policy in Ohio hospitals vary by hospital and are determined on a case-by-case basis. Some common exceptions include end-of-life circumstances, patients with special isolation needs, and maternity wards.
Visitors to Ohio hospitals are required to wear masks and may be required to wear gloves and gowns depending on the hospital and the patient's condition. Visitors must also undergo temperature checks, and those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or having recent exposure are not permitted to enter.
