Wayne HealthCare to Reinstate No Visitor Policy in Response to COVID-19 Surge

To continue to protect the safety of our patients, staff and community at large, beginning Friday, November 20 at 7 a.m., Wayne HealthCare is reinstituting a no visitor policy, with compassionate exceptions.

“Like other hospitals across the state and region, Wayne HealthCare is seeing an increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to COVID-19,” said Kim Freeman, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Wayne HealthCare. “Implementing these heightened restrictions is not a decision we take lightly as we understand the importance of visitation for both patients and their loved ones, and that’s why we’ve included some important exceptions” added Freeman.

Exceptions to the revised visitor policy include the following:

• Maternity patients may have one (1) visitor. If the patient is a minor (under the age of 18), they may have two (2) visitors (parents/guardians).
• End-of-life patients. Visitation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
• Patients who are minors may have two (2) visitors (parents or guardians) in the emergency department and inpatient setting.
• Patients with impairments may have one (1) visitor.
• Outpatient surgery/procedure patients may have one (1) visitor.

All visitors granted exceptions will be screened prior to entry and must be free of any COVID-19 symptoms. No visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed unless they are the parent or legal guardian of a pediatric patient.

During this time, we encourage family members to connect with their loved ones via virtual platforms, such as smart phones, tablets and other devices.

These heightened visitor restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

As always, we appreciate everyone’s understanding as we continue to do everything in our power to slow the spread of the virus.

Media Inquiries

For more information, please contact Jennifer Robinson, Marketing and Physician Outreach at (937) 547-6924 or email her at jennifer.robinson@waynehealthcare.org.

About Wayne HealthCare

Located in Greenville, Ohio, Wayne HealthCare is a nationally-ranked and recognized not-for-profit acute care hospital that provides inpatient and outpatient services to individuals from birth to geriatrics. In 2020, the hospital received a five-star quality rating, the highest ranking any hospital can receive, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and it received an ‘A’ grade for patient safety by the Leapfrog Group. Serving its communities since 1922, it’s comprised of 450 employees and volunteers and a team of 250 credentialed providers who provide medical and specialty services to Darke County, Ohio and surrounding areas. Wayne HealthCare provides patient-centered healthcare and wellness services using the best technology provided by highly skilled employees and providers. For more information, please visit our website at www.waynehealthcare.org