Cape Cod Healthcare Implements Updated Visitor Policy Effective August 15, 2022

(Hyannis, MA - August 15, 2022) As part of its continued commitment to the safety of patients and staff due to COVID-19, Cape Cod Healthcare has implemented an updated patient visitation and accompaniment policy that is in alignment with state guidance.

Effective August 15, 2022, visitation of patients will be expanded as follows:

• Inpatient visitation (non-COVID patients): Visitors 18 or older will be allowed between the hours of 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. without restriction.
• Labor and Delivery: Visitors 18 and older will be allowed between the hours of 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 pm. One support person will be allowed throughout patient’s stay

Visitors will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and are required to wear a mask.

Exceptions:

1. Critical Care: We will continue to call the critical care unit(s) from the front desk to ensure visitation is appropriate, but there will be no restriction to the number of visitors 18 or older. Visitors will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and are required to wear a mask.
2. Emergency Department (ED): We will continue to allow up to two visitors 18 or older in the ED at the discretion of the care team. Visitors will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and are required to wear a mask.
3. END of LIFE (including COVID-19): 2 visitors at a time, 18 or older, will be allowed.  The visitor(s) will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and are required to wear a mask.
4. Accompaniment: As always, in those situations where it is of benefit to either the patient or the provider for the patient to have either a caregiver or family member accompany the visitor, (one only) will be allowed. The visitor will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and is required to wear a mask.

Examples of these situations include but are not limited to:

• A minor accompanied by a parent or guardian
• A person with cognitive impairment, memory impairment or dementia accompanied by a caregiver
• A person with limited mobility accompanied by an attendant/caregiver
• A person with anxiety or phobia regarding their visit/procedure
• A person whom the provider deems necessary for the patients care and safet

Please note: There will be NO visitors for COVID-19 positive patients outside of End-of-Life exception above.

**ANY deviation from this policy must be reviewed on case-by-case basis and approved by the Administrator on call prior to implementation.

For more information, please see the Cape Cod Healthcare COVID-19 Resource Center at http://www.capecodhealth.org/coronavirus.