Restricted Visitation Policy to be Implemented as of November 9th
Effective Monday, November 9th, a new restricted patient visitation policy will be in effect at AIDHC for the remainder of the flu season and until further notice. This policy is informed by visitation guidelines that have been agreed to by all hospitals in the State of Delaware in coordination with the Department of Public Health and Delaware Healthcare Association. A summary of the key components of the policy is provided below.
Visitation to all inpatient units at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children will be limited to two adults in the room at any one time, 24 hours per day.
In certain situations, two additional adult visitors may be permitted during normal visiting hours, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
All visitors must be 16 years of age or older.
Visitors may be required to wear surgical masks while on the patient care unit.
Exceptions to these guidelines may be considered on a case by case basis at the discretion of the department/unit manager, charge nurse, or attending physician. An example of an appropriate exception might include a single parent with no options for sibling child care while they are visiting their ill child.
Visitor Screening Plan to be Implemented
A new visitor screening plan is being developed to help identify visitors that may be experiencing flu-like symptoms and to assist in enforcing the new visitation policy. The plan will include staffed visitor screening stations at each major entrance to the hospital. More details will be announced as the plan nears implementation which is expected to occur in about two to three weeks. Additional signage will also be developed to further reinforce flu prevention strategies and visitor policies.