Kaweah Delta restricts visitors, announces event cancellations, and more due to COVID-19
Kaweah Delta restricts visitors, announces event cancellations, and more
due to COVID-19
VISALIA – Kaweah Delta is today rolling out a number of temporary
changes due to COVID-19, which include limiting patients to one visitor
district-wide except for its skilled nursing program, which is not allowing
visitors except for end-of-life patients.
“We are committed to the continued safety and health of all employees,
patients, visitors, particularly as our organization monitors the growing
spread of the COVID-19 virus domestically and internationally,”
said Gary Herbst, Kaweah Delta’s Chief Executive Officer. “These
changes are about making sure that the health and safety of our staff,
patients, and visitors remain our top priority.”
Visitor Restrictions
District-Wide: Effective Friday, March 13, at 4 p.m., patients will be limited to one
visitor in the building at a time in all areas of the district. Exceptions
will be limited for end-of-life patients.
No children will be allowed as visitors. For a list of Kaweah Delta locations, click
HERE.
Emergency Department: One visitor allowed per patient; must not be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.
Exceptions will be limited for end-of-life patients.
Transitional Care and Subacute Units: No visitors, with limited exceptions for end-of-life patients. These
units are located at 1633 S. Court St. in Visalia. The patients in this
unit require extensive services such as ventilator care, tube feedings,
etc. and are more susceptible to illness.
Kaweah Delta Rehabilitation Hospital (inpatients): The inpatient units at the rehabilitation hospital are limiting visitation
to approved visitors only. This includes those who are scheduled for family
training, providing translation assistance, or picking up a patient at
discharge. Kaweah Delta’s Rehabilitation Hospital is located at
840 S. Akers St., Visalia.
Visiting Hours: Regular visiting hours remain in effect 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; no visitors
after 9 p.m. unless patient is end-of-life or in labor.
Kaweah Delta Medical Center Entrance Changes
During this time, for the safety of patients seeking care in the Emergency
Department and for the safety of patients and visitors coming into the
Medical Center for other reasons, Kaweah Delta will also limit its Mineral
King Entrance (400 W. Mineral King Ave.) to Emergency Department and Obstetric/labor
patients beginning at 4 p.m. Patients coming to the Medical Center for
surgery or endoscopies must enter the Medical Center at the Surgery Center
(located on the southwest side of the Medical Center), while all other
patients and visitors must enter through Acequia Wing entrance, 305 W.
Acequia Ave. Security/staff will monitor these entrances. Patients and
visitors planning to enter through the Acequia Wing are encouraged to
park in the Acequia parking structure or in surface lots along Acequia Avenue.
Valet Parking
Valet parking will remain at 400 W. Mineral King Ave., but patients/visitors
who choose to use this service and are not using the Emergency Department
or Obstetrics Department will need to enter the Medical Center through
the Acequia Wing or Surgery Center.
Events Cancelled
All scheduled events that bring groups of individuals from outside the
organization to Kaweah Delta locations are postponed until further notice.
Volunteers
Beginning on Monday, March 16, for their health and safety, Kaweah Delta
Hospital Guild members will temporarily cease volunteer services. Additionally,
we have removed high school student volunteers from our campus.
COVID-19 Information
“Fortunately, this is a disease that the vast majority of people
will overcome,” said Dr. Dan Boken, Medical Director of Infection
Prevention at Kaweah Delta.
What is important right now, Dr. Boken said, is making sure that people
know what to do if they believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 and
have symptoms. They should call their doctor first, not head to the Emergency
Department, Dr. Boken said. “People are heading there because they think there is no other place
to go. When they do that, it takes away the ED’s energy away from
sick people,” he said.
Tulare County Health & Human Services agency has said, if you think
you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of
respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, please call
your primary physician and 2-1-1. Your physician will connect with Tulare
County Public Health to determine if testing is appropriate. Tulare County
Public Health Officer: 559-685-5720 or 559-471-7092 after hours and weekends.
Kaweah Delta and our local health partners remind everyone to reduce their
risk of getting sick during this time by doing the following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially
after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick; stay away from large gatherings
and crowds.
- Stay home as much as possible. Consider ways of getting food brought to
your house through family, social, or commercial networks.
Kaweah Delta is in frequent contact with Tulare County Health & Human
Services, as well as with other local hospitals and healthcare providers
to coordinate our responses to this rapidly evolving situation. For the
most current information regarding Kaweah Delta’s activity, please visit
www.kaweahdelta.org/COVID19.