Navicent Health Updates Essential Visitation Policy to Accommodate Patients, Loved Ones
As the state of Georgia continues its limited, phased reopening process, Atrium Health Navicent has returned to pre-COVID patient volumes across its health system. After careful review of its policies and local novel coronavirus (COVID-19) data, Atrium Health Navicent has chosen to modify certain portions of its essential visitation policy. The essential visitation policy was put into place on March 12, 2020 to protect patients, visitors and caregivers from the threat of COVID-19. While most of the policy remains in effect, modifications have been made to accommodate those being treated as inpatients. The changes are effective Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
What Has Changed
Each inpatient will be allowed one visitor per day. Visitation hours are 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Only one visitor will be permitted for the patient per day, but a different visitor may visit the patient each subsequent day.
Patients at end of life will be allowed two visitors per day.
Masking Information
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times, in accordance with Atrium Health Navicent's universal masking policy.
Atrium Health Navicent asks that visitors arrive wearing a mask. Visitors who arrive without a mask will not be permitted to enter the facility.
Visitors may visit hospital cafeterias and cafes to pick up take-out food. Food should be consumed in the patient's room. Visitors must continue to wear their masks in hallways, cafeterias and cafes.
What Remains the Same
Essential visitation hours will be held 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily.
Patients in critical care units, palliative care units, pediatric units and birth centers may have two essential visitors for the duration of their stay. Only one visitor is allowed at the patient's bedside at a time.
Patients at Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital may have one parent or guardian stay overnight.
Patients at Rehabilitation Hospital, Atrium Health Navicent (RHNH) may designate one essential visitor for the duration of their stay. Visiting hours at RHNH are 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily
Patients in family birth centers may have one essential visitor stay overnight.
Adult patients arriving for surgical procedures, diagnostics or imaging services may have one essential visitor accompany the patient on the day of the procedure.
Pediatric patients arriving for surgical procedures at Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital may have two parents or guardians accompany the patient on the day of the procedure.
Atrium Health Navicent's youth visitation policy - instituted annually as a precaution during flu season - remains in effect as a safeguard against COVID-19. Children must be age 12 or older in order to visit The Medical Center (Macon), Medical Center of Peach County (Byron), Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin (Milledgeville), Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital (Macon), and Rehabilitation Hospital (Macon).
All visitors will be screened at for signs of illness upon arrival, as part of Atrium Health Navicent's COVID Safe initiative.
Individuals with cough, fever, shortness of breath or other flu-like symptoms are asked to reschedule their visit.
Patient Access to Our Facilities
The Medical Center, Navicent Health may be accessed at the following locations. All other entrances will be closed.
777 Hemlock Street (main lobby)
720 Pine Street (Luce Heart Institute, enter through Orange Parking Deck entrance)
777 Pine Street (Emergency Center)
840 Pine Street (Surgery Center)
Entrances at the Peyton Anderson Health Education Center (877 Hemlock Street) and the pedestrian bridges at the Green and Red Parking Decks will be closed.
Any essential visitors arriving separate from a patient should enter at 777 Hemlock Street (main lobby).
All other Atrium Health Navicent facilities may be accessed through their main lobbies and/or emergency centers as usual.
Greeters at public entrances will screen each individual entering the facility, guiding those seeking treatment to the appropriate location while assisting visitors as needed. Valet parking service remains suspended at this time. Valet staff will continue to assist with screenings and guide visitors as they arrive at our facilities.
"We understand that families and friends are eager to be with hospitalized patients. We're eager to return to normal business operations as well. We thoughtfully considered our patients and their needs when modifying our visitation policy, and the health of our patients and our community remains the highest concern at this time. Our policies and actions are designed to safeguard our community, and we will continue to monitor patient needs and area COVID-19 data to make informed decisions about our policies. We appreciate the community's cooperation and understanding with our efforts to mitigate the threat of COVID-19," said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Atrium Health Navicent.
For up-to-date information on Atrium Health Navicent's COVID-19 response, please visit www.navicenthealth.org.
About Atrium Health Navicent
Atrium Health Navicent, the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Atrium Health Navicent provides care for healthcare consumers' through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Atrium Health Navicent is dedicated enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.navicenthealth.org.