Spectrum Health revised its visitor policy as patients with COVID-19 are being admitted in increasing numbers, and hospitals across West Michigan are near or have reached capacity.
“Spectrum Health is happy to welcome visitors who want to be with their loved ones,” said Chad Tuttle, senior vice president, hospital and post-acute operations, Spectrum Health West Michigan. “Like hospitals across West Michigan, Spectrum Health is experiencing high demand for our services and our hospitals are very full. While our teams focus on care, visitors can help their loved ones feel more comfortable during their stay and keep everyone healthy and safe by following our updated visitor guidelines.”
Effective Tuesday, Nov. 23, Grand Rapids and regional locations of Spectrum Health will adhere to the new visitor restrictions, which will allow for one adult visitor age 18 or older in the following areas: all inpatient rooms, emergency departments, urgent care, walk-in clinics, surgery, radiology, lab locations, and labor and delivery. Additionally, patients with COVID are allowed one adult visitor who must be the same person through the duration of the patient’s stay while adhering to personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines.
Pediatric patients are allowed the same two adult visitors throughout the duration of their stay in the emergency department, urgent care, surgery and lab. Pediatric COVID patients also are allowed two adult visitors who must be the same two people and follow PPE guidelines. Pediatric patients in radiology may have one adult visitor, as well as pediatric patients in double occupancy rooms.
Exceptions may be made at the discretion of care teams providing end-of-life or special needs care. Children and minors will be allowed for visits in rare circumstances.
Obstetrics patients and end-of-life patients may have overnight guests, but all other visiting hours will take place between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
All visitors will take part in a health screening, and adult patients must provide visitor information to their care teams, while pediatric patients must have adult visitor names on file.
The restrictions apply to the following Spectrum Health locations:
- Butterworth Hospital
- Blodgett Hospital
- Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
- Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center
- Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion
- Big Rapids Hospital
- Gerber Memorial
- Kelsey Hospital
- Pennock
- Reed City Hospital
- United Hospital
- Zeeland Community Hospital
- Ludington Hospital
More information about Spectrum Health’s new visitor guidelines is available here.
