Oklahoma Hospitals Temporarily Restrict Visitors
As Oklahoma hospitals continue to closely monitor all developments related to COVID-19, hospitals and clinics are taking additional steps to further protect the health of patients, workforce and the community and prevent the potential spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Hospitals understand the desire of patients, as well as their families and loved ones, to be together during illness or hospitalization, but recognize the hospital’s responsibility to keep everyone safe.
Therefore, visitors may see restricted visitation policies at Oklahoma hospitals, outpatient centers and physician clinics.
For the safety of hospitalized patients, do not visit a patient if you are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, coughing, sneezing, or a runny nose.
For a limited time to be determined, persons may see certain visitor restriction policies at Oklahoma hospitals. These could include limiting the number of visitors per patient, restricting the number of entry points into the facility, and a brief screening for all visitors.
Specific measures could include:
- Restricted entry points: please look for signage.
- No visitors under the age of 18.
- Restricting the number of visitors per patient. Only one person for patients in isolation other than COVID-19. These visitors will be required to wear personal protective equipment and will not be permitted to visit common areas within the facility.
- No visitation with any patient suspected of having COVID-19.
- Screening performed on visitors to include:
- Questions about recent travel to other countries or to areas with widespread COVID-19 infection
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
- Anyone exhibiting symptoms will not be allowed into the facility.
In addition, all visitors should wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before and after visiting.
Families and friends are also asked to restrict the number of people that accompany patients to outpatient and physician appointments to one person per patient, per appointment.
Restricting contact between people will prevent the spread of any infectious diseases. Oklahoma hospitals appreciate the public’s understanding during this serious outbreak.