Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Enhances Visitor Restrictions Because Of Novel COVID-19 Coronavirus Activity

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Illinois - With the continued spread of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus and flu season, no visitors will be permitted to Franciscan Health Olympia Fields as we enhance visitor restrictions and screenings.

All visitation continues to be suspended throughout Franciscan Health hospitals unless listed in the following exceptions for healthy visitors.

Hospitals will continue screening all visitors to determine if they are at risk for COVID-19 or other communicable diseases. Those who do not pass screenings will not be permitted to enter the hospital. All visitors will be required to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and practice good hand hygiene. Visitors must be 18 or older.

Inpatients: Non-COVID-19 patients may have 1 designated visitor per day to help provide continuity and maximize safety. Ideally, visitors are those identified as involved in on-going caregiving/support for the patient and will be able to assist with education and caregiving once the patient is ultimately released from the hospital. COVID-19 inpatients may not have visitors.

Labor & Delivery: A laboring woman will be allowed one visitor, a spouse or partner during labor and delivery. In addition, a labor coach will be allowed.

NICU: Mother and significant other will be allowed to visit child in NICU with daily screening for temperature and COVID-19 symptoms required. Failure to pass screening will result in a denial of visitation. (In extraordinary and end-of-life situations, the facility may allow an additional 1 - 2 visitors to visit, provided proper social distancing and PPE usage are followed.)

Emergency Room: Patients may have 1 designated visitor per day to help provide continuity and maximize safety. Ideally, visitors are those identified as involved in on-going caregiving/support for the patient and will be able to assist with education and caregiving once the patient is ultimately released from or admitted to the hospital.

• Victims of sexual assault have the right to an advocate, as stated in SEA 146. If requested by the patient, a victim advocate may be present during a medical forensic exam.
  Outpatients/Ambulatory: Non-COVID-19 patients may have 1 designated visitor per day to help provide continuity and maximize safety. Ideally, visitors are those identified as involved in on-going caregiving/support for the patient and will be able to assist with education and caregiving.

Surgery: Non-COVID-19 patients may have 1 designated visitor per day to help provide continuity and maximize safety. Ideally, visitors are those identified as involved in on-going caregiving/support for the patient and will be able to assist with education and caregiving once the patient is ultimately released from the hospital.

Non-COVID End-of-Life: In non-COVID end-of-life situations one visitor will be allowed for the duration. A second visitor will be allowed on a rotating basis with no more than two visitors at a time. Franciscan Alliance Pastoral Care is part of the care team and is allowed to visit. External pastoral care are not considered part of the care team and are not permitted.

COVID End-of-Life: In COVID end-of-life situations one visitor will be allowed to visit. The visitor must wear full PPE while in attendance. Franciscan Alliance Pastoral Care is part of the care team and is allowed to visit, wearing full PPE while in attendance. External pastoral care are not considered part of the care team and are not permitted.

Minors & Non-Decisional Patients: One visitor will be allowed only for patients that do not have actual or legal decisional capacity. Those include persons under 18, persons with dementia, and persons whose condition precludes obtaining an accurate history or decision making.

Franciscan Health Olympia Fields (20201 South Crawford Avenue, Olympia Fields, Illinois)

• The following hospital entrances will remain open as points of access. All other entrances will be locked down.
  • Main Entrance (West) for patients and visitors
  • Emergency Department Entrance for Emergency Department patients only
  • Visitors who pass the health screenings will receive and are required to wear a visitor sticker during their time in the hospital.
  • Four valet attendants will be staffed at the Main Entrance (West). Valet parking is free.

This is a public health issue, and it is our intent to protect the health and safety of our patients, our visitors and our employees. In doing so, we can reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, flu and other seasonal-related medical issues.

For updates on Franciscan's response to the coronavirus, visit FranciscanHealth.org/covid-19.