Visitor & Caregiver Policy

Valley Regional Hospital Visitation Policy

Last Revised: 7/20/2022

Purpose: to provide guidelines and consistency to support visitation and caregivers with
our patients

Policy Statement: Valley Regional Hospital has established the following guidelines for visitation,
recognizing the role of family members and visitors in supporting and promoting the wellbeing of patients, and to assist staff in their efforts to provide care in an environment of dignity, compassion, and respect.

Valley Regional Hospital promotes and supports a patient-family-community centered approach to care delivered in a context sensitive to the importance of relationships. Our visitor and caregiver policy is intended to ensure the safety of our patients, our community, and our health care workers. Our visitation policy is in accordance with our non-discrimination policy, which provides access without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, marital status, citizenship, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and/or other legally protected classification.

Policy Scope:

1. Inpatient, Emergency Department, Surgical Services, and Urgent Care.
2. Provider Clinics and Ancillary Services are excluded from the visitation guidelines within this policy and manage visitors/caregivers depending on the needs of the patient.

Definitions:

• Patient Visitor—those who wish to socialize with , but are not directly involved in
  the care of a patient
• Caregiver —those who are assisting and/or supporting the care of a patient. A
  “caregiver” is defined as a family member, friend, or other support person whose
  presence is required and/or helps to assist physical, cognitive, or other support
  (such as a driver for sedated outpatients) associated with the patient’s health
  care.
• PPE-Personal Protective Equipment

Procedure:

1. In general, patients may be accompanied by up to two (2) caregivers or visitors at a time.
   • For surgical pediatric patients, one (1) parent/legal guardian/caregiver will be requested to remain on VRH campus throughout pediatric patient’s stay.
   • Children under the age of twelve (12) are discouraged from visiting unless it benefits the patient.
2. Anyone entering a VRH building will be screened according to the VRH Patient and Visitor Screening policy.
3. Anyone entering the building with the intent to visit a patient or who is a caregiver accompanying a patient will be provided a hand-out of the risk of exposure to Covid-19 and other infectious illnesses.
4. In maintaining safety for all individuals we encourage patients and visitors/caregivers to observe infection control measures:
   • Wear a medical mask during visitation. If they do not have a mask one will be provided.
   • Wash your hands either with soap and water or hand-sanitizer prior to and after the visit.
   • In all cases we encourage visitors/caregivers to refrain from visitation if they have an infectious illness or are immunocompromised.
   • In all cases we encourage visitors/caregivers to refrain from visiting if they themselves are at high risk of contracting an illness or live with anyone at high risk for contracting an illness. In all cases, if the patient has a known infectious disease, the visitor/caregiver will be asked to wear additional PPE when indicated based on the transmission process and state guidance.
5. In the event that our community is inflicted by pandemic levels of an infectious disease, this policy is subject to change per CDC guidelines and/or requirements.
6. All hospitalized patients have the right to have visitors of their choice during their stay, unless visitation interferes with the well-being, rights or safety of others, or is not medically indicated in the patient’s care.
7. Visitors must be respectful of Valley Regional Hospital’s “Smoke Free Environment”.
8. Any visitor for the Inpatient Unit entering after 5 p.m. must enter through the Emergency Department (ED) entrance. The Registrar will call to alert that a visitor is coming to the patient care unit.
9. Any visitor being disruptive may be asked to leave.
10. If a waiting area becomes overcrowded in a way that would jeopardize the safety or health of others, then visitors may be asked to wait outside.

This policy is written in accordance with NH RSA 151:21 HB 4139, which specifies that:

1. Patients shall be entitled to designate a spouse, family member, or caregiver [VRH allows a designee by the patient], who may visit the facility while the patient is receiving care. A patient who is a minor may have a parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis visit the facility while the minor patient is receiving care.
2. VRH may restrict visitation when:
   • The presence of visitors would be medically or therapeutically contraindicated in the best clinical judgment of health care professionals.
   • The presence of visitors would interfere with the care of or rights of any patient.
   • Visitors are engaging in disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior toward any staff member, patient, or another visitor.
3. Upon request, a patient or patient’s representative, if the patient is incapacitated, shall be provided the reason for denial or revocation of visitation rights.
4. VRH may require visitors to wear personal protective equipment provided by the facility, or provided by the visitor and approved by the facility. A health care facility may require visitors to comply with reasonable safety protocols and rules of conduct. The health care facility may revoke visitation rights for failure to comply.
5. VRH is not required to
   • Allow a visitor to enter an operating room, isolation room, isolation unit, or other typically restricted are or to an area where the patient is receiving care or to remain present during the administration of emergency care in critical situation.
   • Allow a visitor access beyond the rooms or units in which the patient is receiving care or beyond general common areas.
   • VRH will post its visitation policy along with this information on its website.

Reference(s):

1. State Operations Manual Appendix W – Survey Protocol, Regulations and Interpretive Guidelines for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and Swing-Beds in CAHs. (2020, February 21). Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://www.cms.gov/RegulationsandGuidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_w_cah.pdf
2. CDC recommended infection prevention and control practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Centers for Disease Control and prevention. Updated June 19, 2020. Accessed July 8, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html.
3. NH DHHS Guiding Principles for Responsibly Resuming Health Care Services: https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt381/files/files/inlinedocuments/guidance-hospitals.pdf
4. 42 CRF 482.13(h), 483.420(a)(9) and 418.110(e): Patients have a federal right to receive visitors at any time, subject to minimal restrictions.
5. NH Rules RSA 151:21 Chapter 304_HB 1439. An Act relative to health care facility
   visitation policies. http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/pdf.aspx?id=37258&q=billVersion