Alerts

Temporary Visitation and Caregiver Guidance during COVID-19 Pandemic Posture

Our mission is to protect the health and safety of our patients and staff from unnecessary exposure to COVID-19

The goal of this visitation guidance is to protect patients, caregivers, and medical staff from unnecessary risk of exposure to COVID-19. This guidance applies to patients presenting to Fort Belvoir Community Hospital for in-person visits and to caregivers accompanying patients for inpatient or outpatient care. Authorization to implement more restrictive processes is reserved when medical necessity dictates using best medical judgment and on locally-determined Health Protection Condition (HPCON) level.

VISITORS, defined as relatives, partners, friends, or colleagues that are guests of the patient, are not permitted.

• Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the attending staff for end-of-life/withdrawal of care, according to the current hospital policy.

CAREGIVERS, defined as relatives, partners, or friends that the patient chooses to provide assistance with transportation, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and/or cognitive needs, are permitted for the following patients as indicated below, following a negative screening for COVID-19 symptoms.

All persons entering the facility must have an appointment or be conducting official business

• Patients and caregivers/visitors will be screened for illness prior to entry.
• Patients and caregivers/visitors are expected to wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth upon entering and while moving about the facility or waiting rooms and when not able to maintain 6 feet of social distancing.
• Visitors under the age of 18 (including infants and siblings) are not allowed.
• Caregivers/visitors over the age of 65 are strongly discouraged due to the increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection.

Inpatient Services

• Visitors are not permitted in the adult inpatient wards.
• Patients undergoing emergency surgery or other procedures may have one visitor who remains in the designated surgical waiting area and patient's room.
• One caregiver is permitted to meet the inpatient at front entrance for hospital discharge.
• End-of-Life Care: Two visitors are permitted at a time. No travel is authorized in the hospital except as necessary for transit to and from the patient's room.
• Pediatric patient's families are permitted to name up to two primary caregivers for the duration of the hospital stay.
• Pediatric patient's hospitalized as COVID-19 positive or Patient Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 are permitted only one designated caregiver who remains in the patient's room.
• Special Care Nursery patient's families are permitted to name up to two primary caregivers for the duration of the hospital stay.
• One designated visitor for obstetric patients is permitted for labor, delivery, and the duration of mother’s hospital stay.
• Visitors are not permitted for obstetric patients who are COVID-19 positive or PUI for COVID-19. Exceptions for end-of-life/withdrawal of care, stillbirth, peri-viable delivery, expected life-limiting or life-threatening condition.

Outpatient Services

• One caregiver is permitted to accompany outpatients in order to facilitate care or treatment.
• Caregivers and visitors are not permitted in the Emergency Room. Exceptions on a case-by-case basis may be considered at the discretion of the attending staff.
• Caregivers and visitors are not permitted in our cancer infusion suites where care is being delivered.

If you’re unable to follow the visitation policy, please discuss other care options with your provider or reschedule your appointment by calling the appointment line at (855) 227-6331

More detailed information is available on the Belvoir Hospital Facebook page: facebook.com/belvoirhospital