MACON, Ga. — Atrium Health Navicent is changing its visitor rules starting Thursday, according to a press release.
"Atrium Health Navicent, like many health systems across the nation, has seen an increase in respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV," the hospital said in their release.
The hospital is implementing a seasonal temporary visitor restriction for children 12-years-old and younger starting Thursday at 7 p.m.
Visitors who are 12-years-old and younger will not be allowed to visit patients in hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation locations.
They say under certain circumstances, such as visiting a dying family member, the patient’s care team may make arrangements for visitors under 12-years-old.
As usual, they say visitors who do not feel well or who have a confirmed case of COVID-19, flu or RSV, or any other respiratory virus should not visit.
Atrium Health Navicent is also temporarily updating its masking policy in high-risk settings to protect patients and to slow the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Masks will be required when entering a patient’s room, which includes acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals and units, emergency departments, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient hospice, infusion centers and certain cancer care areas.
Patients and visitors at Atrium Health Navicent facilities may be asked to wear a mask at any time, based on the type of symptoms being experienced by a patient or circumstances specific to their patient population or practice at any given location.
Patients may also request their direct care team wear a mask if it makes them feel more comfortable.
“COVID-19, flu and RSV can cause severe disease and even death for our most vulnerable patients. That’s why it’s essential that we take steps to protect them during respiratory virus season,” Atrium Health Navicent Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrice Walker said. “We recognize that these visitor restrictions may be inconvenient for some, but they are necessary to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect patients, our teammates and the community.”
Visitation guidelines are subject to change at any time. Visitors include those who are visiting/accompanying patients.
For more visitation guidelines you can check out Atrium Health Navicent's website.