The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Charlotte Hungerford eases visitor restrictions
TORRINGTON — Charlotte Hungerford Hospital has updated its visitor policies, which continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective Feb. 13, visitors are allowed for COVID-19 negative patients on inpatient floors 4, 5 and 6, and ICU areas from 12-3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, according to the hospital.
One visitor is allowed at a time for a one-hour visit and only one visitor is allowed in each double occupancy room. Visitors may experience a wait time at the front lobby area.
For Maternity Floor 3, one support person is allowed to be with the patient from arrival for birth to transition home.
Escorts may accompany patients for surgical/procedural, laboratory and blood drawing, radiology and physician office visits.
Visitors are not allowed in the Emergency Department or in COVID-19 positive areas until further notice, due to space constraints and limited social distancing availability, according to the hospital. Special exceptions for hospitalized patients may be made at the discretion of clinical leadership.
Behavioral Health Unit is allowing “Limited clinical exceptions” by the person’s medical care provider.
This policy change applies to the Main Hospital building. The CHH campus Medical Office Building at 538 Litchfield Street and all other CHH offisite facilities and provider practices including the Center for Cancer Care are not affected at this time, the hospital said.
All incoming patients/escorts coming through the main entrance must have a health screening, temperature check, and wear a face mask. Any visitor/escort who has traveled to one of the CT travel advisory listed states will not be permitted to remain on site.
Patients with disabilities that may include, but not be limited to, altered mental status, physical, intellectual or cognitive disability, communication barriers or behavioral concerns, who need assistance due to the specifics of their disability, may have one designated support person with them to support their disability related needs. Support person(s) must screen negative daily.
Such designated support person may be a family member, personal care assistant, similar disability service provider, or other individual knowledgeable about the management of their care, to physically or emotionally assist them or to ensure effective communication during their stay in such Facility, provided proper precautions are taken to contain the spread of infection. When the period of time any such patient with disabilities will remain longer than one day, such patient or his or her family or caregiver may designate two support people, provided only one support person may be present at a time.
Individuals are asked not to
visit the hospital if they are ill or have symptoms of cold or flu. No visitors under 16 are allowed; exceptions may be made for end of life visits.
The Emergency Department is open to patients only. The main front entrance is open to patients, vendors and visitors only. All individuals will be health screened and have their temperature taken.
The Turner Coe Annex Entrance is open to patients and their escorts only, and will be screened and have their temperature taken.
The Outpatient/Blood Draw Entrance is open for Quest Diagnostics, blood drawing and patient pickup. All patients will be screened and temperature checked.
For more information, visit dedicated coronavirus websites in English at www.hartfordhealthcare.org/coronavirus and Spanish at https://espanol.hartfordhealthcare.org/pacientes-yvisitas/coronavirus-covid-19, or call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline, 860-972-8100 or 833-6210600.