Update: MetroHealth Changes Visitation Policies to Fight COVID-19

Cleveland – The MetroHealth System is temporarily suspending routine visits to adult hospital patients to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Exceptions will be made for parents visiting newborns, end-of-life situations and other exceptional cases.

“This step is being taken to protect our patients, staff and community during this unprecedented time,” said MetroHealth President and CEO Akram Boutros, MD, FACHE. “We know the only way to flatten the curve and reduce widespread community infection is to limit social interactions.”

The policy change goes into effect at 7 a.m. on Thursday, March 19.

Visitors will be allowed in based on the exception list outlined below. The exception list applies provided there is absence of symptoms such as fever or coughing when they are screened:

• Obstetric patients may have one partner and one birth support person accompany them.
• Patients who are under the age of 18 may be visited or accompanied by up to two parents or guardians.
• For the Nursery/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, birth parent plus one significant other.
• Patients who are at the end-of-life may have up to two visitors.
• Patients with altered mental status, cognitive impairment, developmental delays, or disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care, may have one visitor.
• Patients who require a home caregiver to be trained.
• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures may have one visitor, who must leave as soon as possible after the procedure.
• Patients who have an appointment at a MetroHealth clinic, laboratory, radiology or are visiting the Emergency Department may have one person with them.

No visitors will be allowed in rooms of persons under investigation or who have tested positive for COVID-19 unless at the end of life.

Entrance will be limited to ensure appropriate screening can occur for the visitors in the exception list. Any visitor who appears ill will be asked to leave.