Kaweah Health COVID-19 patients can now have visitors. What you should know

Sheyanne N Romero, Visalia Times-Delta
·2 min read
The temporary tents in the parking lot at Kaweah Health Medical Center are part of their response to the recent surge in patients that filled the hospital and left more than 60 patients waiting for admission.
The temporary tents in the parking lot at Kaweah Health Medical Center are part of their response to the recent surge in patients that filled the hospital and left more than 60 patients waiting for admission.

Kaweah Health has modified its visitor guidelines — again.

For the first time during the pandemic, Kaweah Health will allow Critical Care and Intermediate Critical Care COVID-19 positive patients to have a routine day-to-day visitor.

“We recognize how hard it’s been for COVID positive patients to not have visitors. The isolation they feel is terrible. A video or phone call is nice, but these patients crave the presence of their loved ones," said Gary Herbst, Kaweah Health’s CEO. "In the name of compassion, we will now permit them to have one unique visitor for one hour — while still taking all the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe.”

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COVID-19 patients in those areas will be allowed one visitor from 10 to 11 a.m. and 8 to 9 p.m.

Visitors for these patients must be vaccinated (booster shots are not required at this time.) These visitors must also wear personal protective equipment while in the patient room:

  • A surgical mask

  • A face shield or goggles, gloves, and a gown (all which will be provided)

All hospital visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and be required to wear a surgical mask while in healthcare facilities and in patient care areas. Those visiting patients not in isolation for COVID-19 must also be fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19 in the prior 72 hours before visits.

Visitors who have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 90 days, don't need proof of medical release. Hospital staff requires the visitor show their copy of the positive COVID-19 lab test and be 10 days past the result date.

Exceptions are made for patients in "extenuating circumstances," hospital officials said. Two visitors will be allowed a bedside visit under the following conditions:

  • When a patient changes level of care (higher or lower).

  • When a patient’s condition deteriorates or there is a plan of care change.

  • When a patient is preparing for major surgery or immediately following major surgery when a patient is at high risk of death.

  • For patients who need supervision due to mental status, where care may be inhibited without a familiar person present.

Four visitors, two at the bedside at a time, will be allowed a visit:

  • During end-of-life situations

Visitors for non-COVID patients are allowed one visitor per day during visiting hours. Visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the Medical Center, while critical care visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Visitation will not be changed at Kaweah Health’s mental health hospital or its skilled nursing/subacute facilities due to continued restricted state guidelines.

On Friday, Kaweah Health had 115 COVID-19 inpatients, 13 of those patients were in ICU.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Kaweah Health COVID-19 patients can now have visitors