NOVEMBER 16, 2020 – Effective immediately, Memorial Healthcare is introducing new visitor restrictions and safety precautions due to the continued rise of COVID-19 cases in Shiawassee County and Mid-Michigan.
We are seeing an escalation in the positivity rate in Shiawassee County. While testing capacity has increased, the percentage of positive test results is also on the rise. This is evidence that the growth in positive cases is not just due to increased testing, but a true surge of cases in our community.
This increase in local COVID-19 cases should not be underestimated. The virus is spreading in our community at the highest rate we’ve seen thus far, and it threatens to strain our healthcare system.
Now is not the time to let your guard down or to ignore expert medical guidance. Please assess your daily habits to ensure you take every precaution to limit exposure. This includes:
- Wearing a face covering
- Cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water
- Avoiding groups of people when possible
- Maintaining a six-foot distance from others
- Avoiding indoor gatherings with more than one household
- Staying home if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or otherwise not feeling well
Memorial Healthcare’s physicians and staff urge our community to follow the most recent restrictions ordered by The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. It is more important than ever that the choices we make each day are informed by the most reliable information and recommendations.
New Memorial Healthcare Visitor Policies
Due to the heightened risk of infection in our region, Memorial Healthcare has implemented changes to its visitor policy and testing procedures. These important precautions will help minimize the risk of infection among our patients, staff and community.
Visitor Limitations: As a safety precaution to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19, Memorial Healthcare is updating visitor restrictions for any Memorial Healthcare facility. Effective immediately, the following visitor limitations have been implemented:
One healthy caregiver/support person (age 17 and older) will be permitted for the following:
- Minor children requiring medical care: One individual is permitted to support any minor child requiring services at any Memorial Healthcare facility.
- Family Birth Place (OB): This must be the same person throughout the patient’s stay.
- Pediatric: This must be the same person throughout the patient’s stay.
- Surgical: This individual must remain in the surgical waiting room or in their vehicle at all times. They may not wait in the Ambulatory Care unit with the patient.
- Testing Requiring Sedation: This individual must remain in the waiting room or in their vehicle at all times.
Face coverings are mandatory for all caregivers and support individuals: All caregivers/support persons must wear a face covering, enter through the main lobby, and successfully complete a health screening.
Case-by-case circumstances: Nursing staff and attending physicians will work with families who have special circumstances, such as a critically ill or injured family member, on a case-by-case basis.
No visitor access to Long-Term Care Unit and The Meadows Assisted Living: Memorial Healthcare’s Long-Term Care Unit and The Meadows Assisted Living will remain closed to all visitors at this time.
We understand the important role of loved ones during this time, and we encourage patients to use our free Wi-Fi to communicate with family members and friends through a mobile device, tablet or laptop. Depending on the patient’s unit, additional guidelines and restrictions may apply. Please review our complete visitor policy online at www.MemorialHealthcare.org.
New Memorial Healthcare Testing Procedures
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing: Due to increased demand, appointments are now required for our drive-thru COVID-19 nasal-swab PCR testing location. Daily appointments are limited to ensure a smooth testing process for our patients and staff. In order to schedule an appointment, please call our scheduling department at (989) 729-6422. If an appointment is not available on your requested day, you will be booked for the next possible appointment time.
Guest services: Memorial Healthcare has introduced a guest services division to better coordinate all patient and family needs. Our new guest services team is dedicated to helping you with your request with just one phone call. You can reach our guest services department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (989) 720-CARE (2273).
At Memorial Healthcare, our patients’ health and wellness is our top responsibility. We are dedicated to being here for all your medical needs during this time. Memorial Healthcare is committed to maintaining the highest ratings in patient safety, quality of care and cleanliness among Mid-Michigan hospitals. For the most up to date information on our polices and response efforts to COVID-19 in our community, please visit our website at www.MemorialHealthcare.org.
