Main Line Health Restricting Visitors Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

BRYN MAWR, PA — Main Line Health said it is now limiting restrictions on visitors to its facilities amid concerns about the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

Due to a local outbreak of the illness, the healthcare system said it is placing restrictions on who can visit its facilities.

Effective Friday, March 13, Main Line Health is implementing visitor restrictions in inpatient and outpatient areas of all hospitals and health centers.

Visitors will not be permitted in inpatient areas, unless clinically necessary as determined by the health care team.

In outpatient areas and in maternity units, patients are permitted to have one support person with them.

Any approved visitor must pass a risk assessment screening before entry, which includes a series of questions related to travel and respiratory symptoms. Information specific to maternity patients is available online here.

Other measures to help prevent spreading of the illness are:

• Canceling all community events and classes hosted by Main Line Health
• Placing volunteer duties and activities on hold
• Restricting on-site visits from third-party vendors
• Restricting deliveries of food, flowers, etc. to patients
• Restricting clinical access for nursing students in training at Main Line Health facilities

"The safety of our patients, staff and community is paramount," said Jack Lynch, FACHE, President and CEO, Main Line Health. "We remain committed to providing a safe environment for all who seek care at our facilities. In an effort to protect the safety and health of our patients and staff, we have instituted several precautionary measures to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 infection and community spread."

Additionally, patients who present at a Main Line Health facility with a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness are to proceed to the nearest main entry to seek assistance in obtaining a face mask.

Patients scheduled to seek care at a Main Line Health facility for routine appointments or testing and have a fever or flu-like symptoms should reschedule the appointment or testing and consult their health care provider.

Testing for COVID-19 at Main Line Health

The CDC has developed criteria for identifying a “person under investigation (PUI)” for COVID-19 based on what is known about the previous coronavirus cases. Currently, the test is not available in U.S. hospitals or other primary care settings. Testing criteria is changing daily. Currently, the CDC only recommends diagnostic testing of patients who have a fever or are symptomatic and have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Testing for COVID-19 is not available at all sites across Main Line Health. If a patient feels sick and is at risk for coronavirus, they should call their primary care provider to determine if they are a candidate for testing. If they require testing, their primary care provider will tell them where to go for testing. Any travelers who have recently returned from China, Iran, Europe and South Korea should self-monitor for respiratory symptoms. Before going to the doctor’s office or the emergency room, they should call the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1.877.PA.HEALTH (724.3258) and their doctor’s office or emergency room before going.