Henry Ford restricts hospital visitors
With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan hitting an alltime high of nearly 6,500 cases Tuesday, Henry Ford Health System has instituted new temporary visitor restrictions at each of its hospitals.
Earlier in the week Beaumont limited visitors at its hospitals in Royal Oak, Troy and Grosse Pointe due to the coronavirus surge.
It was a difficult decision because of the importance of the support by loved ones during a patient’s hospitalization or when receiving care, according to a release from Henry Ford Health Systems.
However, the health and safety of the patients, team members and others in the facilities is the primary concern.
The visitor policy is different at each facility. Each hospital has developed new pol
icies based on the conditions in its service area, and the restrictions can be adjusted as conditions change. In areas where COVID-19 transmission is not as active, the hospital may maintain the most recent visitation policy, which is limited to one adult visitor per patient.
In areas where COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations are high, such as at Henry Ford Macomb
and Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, the restrictions are more stringent.
Details of these policies for each of the six hospitals can be found on the Temporary Visitor Restrictions page at HenryFord.com.
Regardless of restrictions, Henry Ford Health System will still allow visitors who are:
• Acting as power of attorney or have court-appointed guardianship.
• Assisting patients with physical or mental disabilities.
• Providing transportation patients who undergoing surgery or emergency care.
• Providing religious or spiritual services.
Anyone who is allowed to visit will need to undergo COVID-19 screening before entry; wear a mask at all times; and refrain from eating, drinking or sharing a patient’s restroom while visiting
Henry Ford will continue to connect hospitalized patients digitally using iPads and other devices with their friends and family who cannot visit. Friends and family may also send well messages directly to patients, which may be viewed in their room on a dedicated channel on Henry Ford’s television system. This can be done through the Well Wishes page at HenryFord. com.