
McDonough District Hospital announced (June 16, 2020) updates to the COVID-19 visitor policy for inpatient visits and outpatient appointments. These visitor guidelines are subject to change based on any future COVID-19 community outbreak.
All inpatient visitors and designated person accompanying an outpatient must be at least 18 years old. Every person entering a MDH building must have their temperature taken and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Everyone will also be asked if they have been tested for COVID-19 and whether the results are pending or positive.
Wearing a face covering is mandatory inside MDH buildings. One will be provided to patients and visitors if necessary.
“As part of our ongoing attempts to provide the best care both for our patients and for families we are going to relax our visitation restrictions. When there was significant community spread of the virus this was a necessity, but now that things have calmed down some we are going to allow visitation in the hospital,” said MDH Chief Medical Officer Edwin Card, MD. “The rationale for our restrictions is that we do not want to have large numbers of people congregate in a single space if they do not need to be there. Because of this, we will not be allowing visitation for outpatient surgery. Inpatient visitation will be confined to the patient's room with adequate social distancing and avoidance of common spaces like waiting rooms and the cafeteria. Please understand that this is being done to protect everyone's health and safety. Thank you for your understanding in what has been a difficult time for all.”
Any visitor who runs a fever of 100.5 or displays symptoms of respiratory illness will not be allowed to enter the hospital and directed home, or encouraged to call the MDH Convenience Clinic or their primary care provider.