Revised Policy Allows Expanded Patient Visitation at South Central Regional Medical Center

South Central Regional Medical Center announced today that patient visitation has been expanded to allow more individuals to visit patients hospitalized at the facility. Beginning Monday, October 19th at 6 a.m., patients hospitalized on a medical/surgical floor who do not require isolation are allowed to have guests throughout visitation hours, however, only one guest will be allowed in a patient room at a time. Visitation hours will remain from 6 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., 7 days a week, with the exception of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which will have its final visitation period at 6 p.m. each day.

According to Beth Endom, Chief Nursing Officer at South Central Regional Medical Center, “We know limited patient visitation during the pandemic has been difficult on patients, their friends and their family members. Our hearts have gone out to those we have cared for during this time. Patient and staff safety has always been top priority at South Central Regional Medical Center. We review the guidelines provided by the Mississippi State Department of Health and CDC daily and expanding patient visitation is within these guidelines.”

Other patient visitation changes, Endom said, will allow two support persons to be with the patient in the Labor and Delivery Unit, however, only one person at a time will be allowed in the patient room. The other support person will have the opportunity to wait in a nearby waiting room.

“Two visitors will be allowed per patient visitation period in the ICU, however, they will be allowed to visit the patient one at a time,” Endom said. This will allow a maximum of 8 ICU patient visitors a day which doubles the number of visitors currently allowed to visit ICU patients,” she said. Visitation hours for ICU will continue to be 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., 7 days a week. Visitation will be limited to 20 minutes per time period.

All individuals entering the hospital will continue to be required to wear a mask and will be evaluated at the screening station located directly inside the front lobby of the medical center before being allowed access to the hospital. Patient visitation within the hospital will continue to be limited to those 18 years of age or older. Special consideration will be made for end-of-life circumstances.

No visitors will be allowed for patients who are in isolation. Patients who require full time assistance or care will be allowed to have one caretaker in the room with the patient at all times. This determination will be made during hospital admission.

Patients having surgical procedures and diagnostic tests are allowed one person to join them when entering the hospital. Their guest must remain in the surgery/diagnostic waiting room throughout the patient stay.

Sherry Brewer, Vice President of Clinical and Emergency Services, said, “Our Emergency Department continues to be a safe place to receive care. We have multiple processes in place to keep our patients, visitors and staff safe.” All individuals entering the South Central Emergency Department are required to wear a mask and be evaluated at a screening station located directly inside the front door of the facility where their temperature will be taken.

The patient visitation policy in South Central’s Emergency Department will not change. All patients who are treated in the facility will continue to be allowed to have one person with them during their Emergency Department stay. No visitors under the age of 18 are allowed in the Emergency Department. Special consideration will be made for end-of-life circumstances.