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Our Lady of the Lake and Baton Rouge General are changing their visitation policies amid a wave of COVID-19 patients.
The two hospitals announced the policy changes on Sunday, noting that the spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus has led to an increase in hospitalizations.
“We are troubled by the trend of cases and hospitalizations in our community,” said Dr. Catherine O’Neal, Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake. “We know how important the support of family and loved ones is to our patients while we care for them, but limiting visits is important to protect our patients and our medical teams.”
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On Sunday evening, the lake would limit visitors from COVID-19 patients to one person for one hour per day, except in end-of-life situations where extended visitation periods can be coordinated.
Non-COVID-19 patients are limited to one visitor, 18 years of age or older, who is allowed to stay at the bedside for the duration of their hospital stay.
Before the new restrictions, the hospital typically allowed two visitors per patient.
COVID-19 is on the rise again in Louisiana as state officials urge residents to get vaccinated to ward off the rapidly spreading delta variant.
Masks are mandatory and visitors will be checked with a temperature control and a questionnaire. They must be either the patient’s spouse or a close relative and must remain at the patient’s bedside. Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., although visitors from non-COVID-19 patients may stay overnight.
At Baton Rouge General, the updated hospital visitation policy will allow one visitor per patient in most nursing units, including labor and delivery and the emergency room.
The designated visiting hours in the intensive care unit and the behavioral health unit will remain the same, with one visitor per patient. Night visitors will not be allowed in the intensive care unit.
For operated patients, a visitor will be allowed in the surgery waiting room.
Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Until the new restrictions were put in place, the Baton Rouge general allowed two visitors per patient in most areas, with no limits in the birthing center, unless the mother tested positive for COVID.
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