Morris Hospital returns to pre-COVID-19 visitor guidelines

MORRIS – In response to continued improvements in COVID-19 incidence and hospitalizations and the move to Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers on Monday returned to its pre-COVID-19 visitor guidelines with these exceptions: general inpatient visiting hours remain slightly shortened at 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; everyone entering Morris Hospital or any of its facilities will continue to have their temperature checked and answer screening questions; and masks continue to be required at all Morris Hospital facilities regardless of vaccine status per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for health care settings.

“We are very happy to have arrived at this moment,” said Cara Marco, resident nurse and quality manager at Morris Hospital. “Over the past year, we have had to make unprecedented visiting restrictions to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. With the availability of vaccine and sustained improvement in COVID numbers over the past month, we believe we can safely return to our previous visiting guidelines.”

Hospitalized patients on the 2 East or 2 South medical/surgical units and the family birthing suites will be able to have two visitors at a time, age 6 and older, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For patients in the family birthing suites, the two visitors are in addition to the support person/significant other who is permitted 24 hours around the clock. Siblings of newborn babies are permitted to visit regardless of their age.

Patients in the intensive care unit also may have two visitors at a time. However, ICU visitors must be age 12 or older. ICU visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Visitors will continue to be prohibited for hospitalized patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. Special visiting arrangements may be requested for patients age 17 and younger; patients with an intellectual and/or developmental disability that impairs understanding, judgment and decision-making; and patients who have reached end of life.

As has always been the hospital’s visiting policy, anyone currently showing signs of illness should not visit or accompany a patient.

Also effective June 21, visitors will have access to all public areas of the hospital, including the cafeteria and gift shop.

In accordance with CDC guidelines for health care settings, everyone coming to Morris Hospital or any Morris Hospital facility will continue to be required to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth at all times, regardless of their vaccination status, the same requirement for congregate settings and transit.

Marco expressed advance appreciation to the community for adhering to the hospital’s visitor guidelines.

“Our highest priority always will be to maintain a safe environment conducive to healing for our patients, some who have very serious medical conditions,” she says. “At the same time, we want to provide a welcoming, hospitable environment for our patients and visitors. With everyone’s cooperation, we can achieve both of these goals.”