In light of the COVID 19 pandemic, OakBend Medical Center has revised our visitor policy to reflect the following:

Medical/Surgical Units

• 2 adult visitors (18 years of age and older) at a time, 1 adult visitor may stay overnight.

Procedural areas (Endo, Cath Lab, Imaging, OR)

• During surgery or procedure, visitors are allowed to wait in lobby.

Labor and Delivery Unit

• Laboring patients: 2 visitors (age 12 and over) at a time. Visitors 12-17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult visitor. 2 adult visitors may stay overnight.
• Antepartum and postpartum patients: 2 visitors (age 12 and over) at a time. Visitors 12-17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult visitor. 1 adult visitor may stay overnight.
• Neonatal ICU: Please see ‘NICU Visitation Policy’

Emergency Care Centers (ECCs)

• No visitors are allowed in the emergency department waiting room. 2 visitors at a time in the treatment room once the patient is deemed safe to have a visitor. Individuals under 18 who accompany patients may remain with the patient.

Intensive Care Units (ICUs)

• 1 adult visitor at a time.

Patients in isolation (in any area)

• Visitors are not allowed if the patient’s attending physician deems it unsafe. Otherwise, 1 healthy visitor (18 years or older) will be allowed per day and will be required to wear necessary safety
  equipment at all times.

Patients in hospice or end of life situation

• Family members may visit patients from 8AM– 9PM

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

• Please see ‘SNF COVID-19 Visitation Policy’ below*

Senior Behavioral Health Unit (6th Floor)

• 2 adult visitor at a time; visits must be scheduled

All applicable visitors must comply with the following:

• Visitation hours are from 8AM – 9PM in applicable areas.
• Disabled, impaired or patients requiring medical assistance are allowed one caretaker.
• Patients under 18 years of age are allowed two caretakers.
• All visitors must be above 18 years of age or older and comply with all PPE and screening requirements.
• All visitors to any OakBend location must wear a surgical mask at all times. Cloth masks are not allowed at OakBend. Patients and visitors will be provided a surgical mask upon entry to the facility.

SNF COVID-19 Visitation Policy

I. Visitation will be allowed for the SNF department. Visitation may be indoors or outdoors. Regardless of how the visit is conducted, visitors will follow infection prevention practices to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

II. All visitations should be scheduled to ensure the department can accommodate appropriate physical distancing, and allow time for cleaning and sanitization between visits. There will be no restriction as to the time a visitations may occur.

III. Visitors who meet the following screening criteria will be required to reschedule the visit.
a. Temperature 100.4 or above
b. Signs or symptoms of Covid-19, ,including chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.
c. Close contact in the last 5 days with someone who has a confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis, is under investigation for Covid-19, or is ill with a respiratory illness.
d. Has tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 5 days

IV. During the visit:
a. Hand sanitizing will be performed by the visitor and patient before and after the visit
b. Visitors must wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth throughout the visit. Cloth face coverings are not allowed.
c. Patients will be required to wear a face mask covering the mouth and nose (if tolerated) throughout the visit, unless the patient removes the mask to eat or drink.
d. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet will be maintained.
e. If the resident and visitor(s) are all fully vaccinated, and the patient is not immunocompromised, they may choose not to wear masks while in the private setting of the patient’s room.

V. End-of-Life Visits
a. All patients on hospice. Or is at or near end of life will be allowed visitation.
b. Physical distancing is not required during visitation.

Medical Records Policy:

• To obtain a copy of your medical records, please call the Health Information Management Department at (281) 341-4852. Our release of information specialists will be happy to assist you. The fax number is (281) 341-4845. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

View updated visitor policy at this link.

Last updated 03/15/2022.