Memorial Hospital updates visitor guidelines

Memorial Hospital of Carbon County (MHCC) has updated its visitor policy, which had originally been put in place during the initial arrival of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Carbon County and Wyoming. Effective as of June 16, the policy allows one visitor per patient in the hospital.

According to the revised guidelines, patients and visitors should expect the following when visiting MHCC or one of their clinics:

• Every person will be required to complete a COVID-19 screening prior to entrance. Those who refuse to be screened will not be allowed entry.

• Visitors must be over 16 years of age.

• Patients and visitors will be asked to wash or sanitize their hands upon entrance.

• Patients and visitors will be given a cloth mask to be worn at all times in all areas.

• Individuals will be escorted to their appointment as the public waiting rooms remain closed.

• Each department and clinic will have additional criteria for visitors. 

In the Radiology department, for example, it is expected that the patient and their visitor maintain six-foot distancing from other patients and visitors while in the building. If that distancing cannot be maintained, the visitor will be asked to wait outside the building. Additionally, if there are any wait times away from the patient, the visitor will be asked to wait outside the building.

In the Emergency Room, the one visitor for the patient will be the same throughout the stay of the patient. Both the patient and visitor will be escorted to and from different departments as needed and the visitor must remain in the cubical with the patient while in the Emergency Room. If, at any time, the visitor refuses to follow the guidelines, they will be asked to leave.

The Acute Care Department will have a note on the patient’s chart indicating the name of the designated visitor. Also, visitors to the Acute Care Department will be provided with a Visitor Education Sheet that will inform them of the visitation rules. The designated visitor will be screened each day before visiting the patient and must adhere to the strict visitation hours unless otherwise determined by the provider.

People are encouraged to call the specific department in advance or visit www.imhcc.com for additional information.