Visitation Guidelines & COVID-19 Information
Visitor Guidelines and Visitation
At Wythe County Community Hospital, our top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees, and community. We continue to closely monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community and follow state and federal guidance as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients.
- WELL visitors are welcome but may be asked to step away while medical personnel attend to the patient. Same day surgery appointments may have one support person as well as obstetric patients. (Please see separate policy for the Women’s Center)
- All visitors must self -screen upon entry and are required to wear a mask.
- Visitors who do not pass the screening at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free. One WELL visitor over the age of 18 is allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised or respiratory patients who are under observation for COVID -19 or test positive for COVID-19. . The visitor is required to wear all appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during their visit. The hours of visitation on the COVID unit are from 1pm-3pm and 8pm-10pm. If visitation is needed outside these hours, it must be approved by the nursing director. PPE must be worn at all times.
- We continue to self-screen everyone who enters our facilities for symptoms consistent with COVID-19, per CDC guidelines.
Please utilize alternative methods of communication, i.e., a video chat over a cellphone or a computer or tablet, with patients as much as possible.
WCCH values the trust our community places in us, and we appreciate your understanding as we shift our visitation policies during this time. Visitation of patients is encouraged. However, family and visitors should be aware of the hospitalized patient's susceptibility to infection and refrain from visiting if they have a communicable disease.
Our hospital is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking the necessary steps to ensure we are fully prepared to care for patients, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with our local and state health departments. Our hospital is prepared with the appropriate plans to detect, protect and respond. We continue to work closely with the local health department and the Virginia Department of Health. Any questions regarding the testing process should be referred directly to our partners at the health department.
COVID-19 Online Risk Assessment
To help support the health of our community, we are providing access to an online COVID-19 risk assessment developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This tool does NOT provide a diagnosis, and it should NOT be used as a substitute for an assessment made by a healthcare provider.
COVID-19 Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)
- Virginia Department of Health
- Mount Rogers Health District
- Wythe County Emergency Managment
- Bland County Emergency Management
- Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association
Additional Resources
- Resuming Elective Surgeries and Frequently Asked Questions
- What WCCH is Doing and What You Can Do
- What to do if you have respiratory illness symptoms
- Download Hand Washing Flyer
- Stop the Spread of Germs
- Steps to Prevent Illness
- Cloth Face Covering Instructions and Guidance from CDC
A Message to the Community
The clinical teams at Wythe County Community Hospital are trained on the proper procedures and protocols to minimize the risk of spreading any infectious disease, including COVID-19. If we have any reason to believe a patient may have the coronavirus, our providers immediately implement the appropriate infection control measures in accordance with CDC guidelines. These include masking and isolating the patient, donning personal protective equipment (PPE) – inclusive of an N95 respirator mask, eye protection, gown and gloves – and ensuring environmental hygiene.
We here at WCCH are committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers, and visitors. We are continuing to work closely with our local health departments, following guidance from the Virginia Department of Health & Human Services (NCDHH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure our hospital is prepared with the appropriate plans to detect, protect and respond should anyone in our community contract or be exposed to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). Additionally, we are reviewing our facility’s robust emergency operations plan and proactively completing a number of preparation checklists out of an abundance of caution.
We have taken the following measures to prepare, in accordance with CDC guidelines:
- Patients in the Emergency Department and inpatient units are screened based on symptoms.
- Personal protective equipment is available, including face masks and eye protection, for example.
- Hand hygiene products are easily accessible throughout the facility.
Importantly, all of the above are standard operating protocols that are in place year-round to help ensure the health and well-being of everyone who enters our hospital.
We want to assure our community that our providers and clinical teams are well-trained and prepared to manage outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the coronavirus.