LMH Revises Visitation Policy, Offers Free COVID-19 Testing Kits
With the recent community surge of COVID-19 cases, Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) has updated its visitation guidelines to ensure the health and safety of its patients, visitors and staff. The revised policy states that one adult visitor/support person per patient is allowed at one time. School-age children (K-12) are not permitted in the Hospital unless they are a patient. Patients who test positive with COVID-19 may have one visitor at a time and a total of two visitors per day. Visitors of COVID-positive patients must be fully vaccinated and show their vaccine card when entering the Hospital. Clergy may visit patients at any time.
Exceptions to the above guidelines are as follows:
- Patients in Labor & Delivery may have two visitors/support persons at a time. A doula also is permitted in addition to the support person during labor. One consistent designated support person may stay with the patient in the Mother Baby area.
- The Hospice unit only allows children to visit if it is a one-time visit with pre-approval from Hospice. The child may stay as long as they wish, but the visit is finished once the child leaves the Hospice unit. The child is not permitted to visit Main Street Coffee or the LMH Café, and may not wander the Hospital during their visit.
The LMH Main Entrance and the Emergency Department (ED) entrance remain the only doors open to the Hospital. All other doors have signage directing visitors to the Main Entrance. Staff will be stationed at these entrances where visitors are asked a few questions to screen for possible COVID-19 infection and have their temperature checked. If screened patients at the ED entrance have severe symptoms related to COVID-19, they are isolated in a comfortable area for the protection of other patients. After screening, visitors will receive a color-coded badge to wear during their visit. All visitors and support persons must wear a face mask when in the Hospital and are expected to perform hand hygiene at the point of screening as well as before entering and exiting the patient room.
In addition, LMH is offering free at-home COVID-19 testing kits to any individual who wishes to be tested for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms. The kits are available for pick up at 131 McMillen Drive in Newark, Monday through Friday, from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. The location also will be open this Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5, from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m., for test pick up.
The BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test Kit is manufactured by Abbott and contains a BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag card, a single-use extraction reagent bottle, and a nasal swab. Individuals will receive a list of instructions when they pick up their testing kit. Users will initiate their testing session though a computer or mobile device by visiting ohio.emed.com and clicking the Start Testing button at the top, right-hand corner of the screen. They will then be connected with an eMed Certified Guide to begin the testing process. Once the test is complete, results are available in 15 minutes.
LMH remains vigilant in its efforts to protect its patients, employees and the community, and guidelines may change depending on current COVID conditions. Additional information on LMH’s visitation policy and the BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test Kit can be found at LMHealth.org/COVID-19.