Safe-Care Plan
Visitation Guidelines
NOTE: Please DO NOT VISIT if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Shortness of breath
ALL VISITORS:
- MUST BE 13 or older.
- MUST WASH your hand thoroughly or use hand sanitizer immediately before and after seeing patients.
- DO NOT touch your face or the faces of patients.
COVID-19 INFECTION PREVENTION PRACTICES
We reserve the right to require N95s or other well-fitting face masks during increased community transmission of COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses.
Masking is required at all times for the following:
- Those with a positive viral test for COVID-19
- Those with symptoms of COVID-19
- Those who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19
EFFECTIVE (5-16-2023):
All visitors must be older than 13. PLEASE NOTE: Visitation with COVID-positive patients (inpatient or ED) is restricted except for special circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
INPATIENT visitation is from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
INPATIENT, POST-PARTUM AND GYN
ONE visitor allowed to stay overnight (7 p.m.-9 a.m.) per patient, excluding COVID-positive and ICU patients, and FOUR additional visitors per day during regular visiting hours. Siblings are allowed to visit and will not be part of the 4 visitors,
LABOR & DELIVERY AND NICU
- The support person may stay with the patient at all times, but during delivery, only the support person and one visitor allowed; all other visitors must go to the waiting room.
- Exceptions to this policy will be made at the discretion of the Nurse Manager and the Director of the Women’s Center.
Visitation in other areas of the hospital
OUTPATIENT/SURGERIES AND PROCEDURES
Two visitors allowed per outpatient being seen for surgery or a procedure, throughout the length of the outpatient visit.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Two visitors allowed per patient throughout the length of the ED visit.
Note: If outpatients or emergency department patients are admitted to the hospital, then inpatient visitation applies.
END OF LIFE
Four visitors; others allowed on a case-by-case basis per the patient’s physician.
PLEASE NOTE: For patients with cognitive or communicative disabilities or issues, a support person will be allowed to accompany the patient throughout their stay, whether inpatient or outpatient, according to the qualifiers outlined by the Office for Civil Rights.
Now Allowed
Outside food and flowers are now allowed for all patients EXCEPT those in Piedmont Augusta's ICU and all COVID-positive patients.
Visitation at Piedmont Augusta Extended Care
Enhanced Protocols
Safety is Piedmont Augusta’s top priority. For this reason, all employees, physicians and contractors are required to wear masks, wash their hands and watch their distance to the extent reasonably compatible with their job duties when in public areas of Piedmont Augusta facilities. This requirement includes all public hallways and when passing through any exterior entrance/exit to a Piedmont Augusta facility. Wearing a mask is not required while eating or drinking in the dining areas. Also, the following is required:
- Masking all patients and visitors, including outpatients and those admitted to the hospital. Visitors should bring their own masks (If they do not have a mask, one will be provided).
- Regularly disinfect all surfaces per CDC recommendations.
- Constantly monitoring agency guidelines, recommendations and best practices for safe health care delivery and a safe workplace.
- Any employees outside of patient care areas must wear a mask (hospital-grade).
- Employees must wear a hospital-grade mask when interacting with patients.
- Employees may wear hospital-grade masks multiple days before discarding them but must discard them sooner if they become wet, soiled or torn.
- Cloth masks should be laundered every three days.
If you have an appointment, a medical question or concern or it's time for a routine screening or diagnostic exam, please keep these appointments. Do not hesitate to come to a Piedmont Augusta Prompt Care or Emergency Department just like you would have before COVID-19.
ENTRANCES
MAIN CAMPUS
Main Lobby and Heart & Vascular Institute: Inpatient visitation, outpatient diagnostic, surgeries, procedures and discharges. PLEASE NOTE: The HVI entrance will close at 6 p.m. each evening. Please enter through the main lobby after 6 p.m.
Outpatient Center: Outpatient diagnostic and laboratory appointments
Day Surgery: Day Surgery patients
SUMMERVILLE
Main Entrance: Patient appointments from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
MCDUFFIE
Emergency Room Walk-in Entrance: Patient appointments from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and inpatient visitation from noon-6 p.m.
Return to Services
On May 1, we began a controlled Phase 1 return to performing elective procedures, and the process has gone safely and smoothly. We made a full return to all procedures, and with very few exceptions, all Piedmont Augusta Primary Care and Specialty physician practices have returned to in-office visits. Many physicians now offer telephone or video visits. Still, in many instances, physicians or their medical practitioners need to see patients to properly maintain an appropriate level of care.
If you have an appointment, a medical question or concern or it's time for a routine screening or diagnostic exam, please keep these appointments. Do not hesitate to come to a Piedmont Augusta Prompt Care or Emergency Department just like you would have before COVID-19.
Patient Belongings
Items that may be delivered to OVERNIGHT patients:
- Eyeglasses and hearing aids
- Prosthetics
- Dentures and denture cream
- Phone and charger, laptop or tablet (i.e. iPad)
- CPAP machine
- Reading book, games book, bible
- Personal hygiene items (such as soap, toothpaste, brush)
- Underwear, pajamas, gowns, robes
- Baby Items for Women's Center patients
Items NOT ALLOWED:
- Blankets and Bed Pillows
Items that may be delivered when a patient is being DISCHARGED:
- Change of clothes
