Navicent Health Updates Visitation Policy as Georgia Responds to Surge

MACON, GA (Tuesday, July 21, 2020) - As the number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases surge in Georgia, Navicent Health has returned to pre-COVID patient volumes across its health system. After careful review of its policies and local novel coronavirus (COVID-19) data, Navicent Health 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. The changes are effective Wednesday, July 22, 2020.

This policy is applicable to the following healthcare facilities:

• Essential visitation is limited to those who are visiting or accompanying the following patients:
• Minor patients under the age of 18 may have two essential visitors, one at a time at the bedside. Minors may have one parent or guardian stay overnight.
• Patients at end of life, in hospice and/or in palliative care may have one essential visitor, who may stay overnight.
• Patients in labor and delivery and/or family birth centers may have two essential visitors, including a partner and birth coach. One essential visitor may stay overnight.
• Patients who need a healthcare decision maker or visitor to help with communication and/or mobility may have one essential visitor.
• Patients in intensive care may have one essential visitor.
• Patients coming for surgical procedures, diagnostics or imaging services may not bring a visitor. Accommodations will be made for those with disabilities.

• To prevent the spread of COVID-19, visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times, in accordance with Navicent Health's universal masking policy.
• Navicent Health 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.

• Essential visitation hours will be held 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily.
• Patients at Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health (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.
• Visitors are not permitted past the entry point of emergency centers, unless a parent or guardian is accompanying a minor. Accommodations will be made for those with disabilities.
• Navicent Health'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), Navicent Health Baldwin (Milledgeville), Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital (Macon), and Rehabilitation Hospital (Macon).
• All visitors will be screened for signs of illness upon arrival, as part of Navicent Health's COVID Safe initiative.
• Individuals with cough, fever, shortness of breath or other flu-like symptoms are asked to reschedule their visit.

This policy is applicable to the following healthcare facilities:

• Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital, Navicent Health
• The Medical Center, Navicent Health
• Medical Center of Peach County, Navicent Health
• Navicent Health Baldwin
• Rehabilitation Hospital,. Navicent Health
• Monroe County hospital, Navicent Health Partner
• Putnam General Hospital, Navicent Health Partner

To enter one of these 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 Navicent Health 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.

The health of our patients and the community is the highest concern at Navicent Health. Our policies and actions are designed to safeguard our community. We appreciate the community's cooperation and understanding with our efforts to mitigate the threat of COVID-19.

For up-to-date information on Navicent Health's COVID-19 response, please visit www.navicenthealth.org. Navicent Health reserves the right to update the visitation policy at anytime, based on current COVID-19 conditions.

Navicent Health, 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, Navicent Health 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. Navicent Health is dedicated to 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.