Coronavirus: Inova Halts Hospital Visitation In Most Situations

FAIRFAX, VA — Inova Health System suspended in-person hospital visitation in most situations as of 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. The decision was made for the safety of patients, staff and the community in light of the new coronavirus outbreak. The restrictions apply to Inova Fairfax, Inova Alexandria, Inova Fair Oaks, Inova Loudoun and Inova Mount Vernon, while the children's hospital and women's and childbirth services outlined similar policies. The hospitals encourage families to connect through video meetings.

There are exceptions to the visitation ban, including in end-of-life situations. However, visitation will not be allowed for patients suspected or confirmed to have the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

Other situations allowing visitors include:

• Patients with conditions such as altered mental status, developmental delays, special communication needs or those who have designated a spokesperson, where a caregiver and/or care companion provides safety and enhances the ability to communicate effectively with the care team. That patient may have one visitor.
• One person may accompany a patient to a hospital or clinic for an outpatient appointment.
• One person may accompany a patient to an Urgent Care Center or Emergency Room (ER) visit.

Other exceptions will be allowed "in extenuating circumstances and with prior approval from a care site’s administration," Inova's website states.

All visitors must undergo a screening, and anyone who answers yes to a screening question will be asked to postpone the visit. Family members or friends may not wait in lobbies or common areas like chapels, cafeterias, food courts, banks or other places within the care site.

For Inova’s labor and delivery units, postpartum Units, high-risk perinatal unit, and OB triage/obstetrical emergency departments, only one significant other or designated support person 18 or older is welcome to stay with the patient. The person must stay home if experiencing fever or cough symptoms. If he or she traveled from a high-risk area, has been on a recent cruise or come in contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, that individual should talk to the patient's nurse before visiting. Other visitors will not be allowed for women's and childbirth services.

Inova Children's Hospital has its own restrictions. Parents and legal guardians are allowed and can stay overnight, but additional visitors are not allowed. Certain units may have additional restrictions, which staff will communicate directly to families. The same policies for women's and childbirth services apply to children's hospital visitors who have fever or cough symptoms, traveled from a high-risk area, been on a recent cruise or come in contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19.

Patients who may have symptoms of COVID-19 are advised to only visit the hospital when having difficulty breathing or flu-like symptoms that aren't improving. Patients should first call their health care provider for guidance on their situations. Anyone advised to come to the hospital or an outpatient clinic should call ahead and wear a facemask.

For more information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.