UPDATE: March 20th, 7:00 p.m.
UCHealth has implemented new rules for visitors at all of their health care facilities to better protect the health and safety of patients, their families, visitors and health care workers.
Effective Friday, March 20th, at 8 p.m., UCHealth is implementing a no-visitors policy at all of its hospitals and clinics, per a release.
The only exceptions are for maternity, NICU, pediatric and end-of-life care and one person is allowed to accompany outpatient clinic patients, if needed for support.
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The rules follow guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
Effective immediately:
- Visiting hours at UCHealth hospitals are now 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Any patient who is checking in for an appointment at any UCHealth location must tell staff and ask for a mask if they have:
- A fever
- Cold symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose)
- Flu symptoms (fevers, chills, body aches)
- Visitors with cold or flu symptoms are not allowed in any UCHealth facility unless they are there for medical care.
- Patients may have no more than one visitor in a 24-hour period. This includes birth centers and OB clinics. Large numbers of people may not gather in waiting rooms, cafeterias, lobbies or other locations.
- Only one person may accompany a patient who is being seen in a clinic or for a procedure such as surgery.
- Anyone under 16 years of age who is not being seen as a patient is not allowed to visit any area. Children under 16 years of age who are not patients themselves are not allowed anywhere in UCHealth's facilities, including waiting rooms, cafeterias and lobbies. Even if a child seems healthy and shows no symptoms, they might be sick and carrying germs or a virus.
"It only takes one person to spread germs, viruses or the novel coronavirus COVID-19," said Dr. Jeffrey Glasheen, UCHealth Chief Quality Officer. "Everyone throughout Colorado should wash their hands frequently and thoroughly, and stay home if they're sick. We'll all be healthier if we can reduce the risk of spreading germs."
The health care provider has instituted numerous infection prevetion measures at its facilities across Coloradoto ensure the safety of patients, visitors, staff and providers. Patients who possibly have COVID-19 or other infectious illnesses are cared for in isolation areas by employees wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
UCHealth urges all Coloradans to take precautions recommended by the CDC and CDPHE. These precautions will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado.
Additional information about COVID-19 is available at uchealth.org/coronavirus and the CDPHE and CDC web sites.
RELATED:
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Click here for the latest update on the number of cases, the age, gender and location of presumptive positive, indeterminate and confirmed cases from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
People who have general questions about coronavirus disease 2019 can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 for answers in many languages. Email COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English.
