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Mount Nittany Health revises visitation policy

STATE COLLEGE — Beginning yesterday, Mount Nittany Health will allow one visitor per inpatient at Mount Nittany Medical Center during visiting hours, 2-6 p.m. daily.

Additionally, one support person/caregiver may accompany patients of the emergency department at the Medical Center, Mount Nittany Physician Group, Mount Nittany Health Surgical Center, CANCER CARE PARTNERSHIP, and outpatient Medical Center locations. The women & children’s services department at the Medical Center will continue its practice of permitting one support person to accompany the patient. For outpatient and surgical procedures, caregivers will be asked to wait in their vehicle, but may be with the patient until the start of the procedure and assist with discharge instructions. Please be aware, there may be other select circumstances where caregivers are asked to wait in their vehicles.

Masking will be required for all visitors and caregivers, as well as the patients they are with, during the time of the visit.

This revision to the visitation policy is the result of continued evaluation by a multi-disciplinary team with the goal of allowing visitor support of patients, while ensuring the safety of patients and staff. “We understand the important role of family and loved ones in the healing process of our patients, which is why we are pleased to be able to modify the existing visitor restrictions that were implemented due to increased COVID-19 activity in our community,” says Executive Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Tiffany Cabibbo, DSc. “It is because of our commitment to the health and safety of our community that we will monitor the situation closely and make adjustments as needed.”

Within Mount Nittany Health facilities, measures have been taken including special cleaning, masking and screening. As an additional measure, visitors will be provided a colored wristband upon checking in at the front desk of the emergency department or Medical Center, where a screening will be performed by a staff member. Visitors are also asked to stop by the front desk to check out at the end of their visit. If a visitor does not have a mask, one will be provided. Any visitor who does not pass the screening process will be informed of the policy and be asked to wait in their vehicle or return home.

Persons under investigation for COVID-19 and positive COVID-19 patients will not be permitted to have visitors.

“We recognize that interacting with friends and family can be helpful to the healing process; therefore, we are strongly encouraging using alternative means of support like phone calls or video chats on cellphones or other mobile devices,” says Dr. Cabibbo. “We are sensitive to the separation this restriction creates for our patients and families, but we strongly believe continuing to limit the number of people in our facilities is essential to keeping our patients and staff safe.”

Visitation policy updates can be viewed at mountnittany.org/coronavirus. Questions or concerns regarding visitation at the Medical Center can be directed to 814.231.7000. For Mount Nittany Physician Group questions, patients are asked to call their practice or outpatient office.

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