Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is expanding patient visitation and resuming elective procedures at both hospital locations in Prescott and Prescott Valley. These changes, while serving as a benefit to patients and their loved ones, will be monitored closely and may be revised based on COVID-19 infection rates in the community.
“Ensuring peace of mind and peace of heart for our patients and visitors is always our top priority at YRMC,” states Ken Boush, Director of Marketing and Communications, Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. “As COVID-19 infection rates have stabilized, YRMC is able to ease patient visitation restrictions while resuming elective procedures at both hospital campuses.”
YRMC, like other Dignity Health hospitals in Arizona, has four visitation levels—Green, Yellow, Red and Purple—to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to protect patients, visitors and caregivers. Green is the least restrictive and allows for conventional visitation outside of COVID-19 units. Yellow allows for limited visitation between the hours of 10am and 8pm. Red allows for limited visitation between 4pm and 8pm. Purple is the most restrictive.
Based on the current low-to-moderate COVID-19 infection rate in the community, YRMC is currently at the Yellow level for visitation. Inpatient visitation is now permitted on a limited basis from 10am to 8pm, Monday through Sunday.
- All visitors must check in at the front entrance of the hospital where they are temperature and symptom screened and given a mask. Visitors who fail screening are not allowed to enter.
- Visitors receive a visitor’s pass after the health screening process is successfully completed. This pass must be worn at all times while in the hospital.
- Patients hospitalized in non-COVID-19 units may choose one individual (18 years of age or older) as their designated visitor. One visitor per patient per day.
- Visitation restrictions for COVID-19 units remain in place. Exceptions are made for end-of-life visits and/or care planning discussions. Exceptions exist for pediatric patients in COVID-19 units.
- Pediatric patients may have two parents or guardians as visitors, even within COVID-19 units. Two parents or guardians may also accompany a pediatric patient during a visit to YRMC’s Emergency Department.
- Patients with disabilities requiring assistance from a family member or caregiver can designate a support person (18 years of age or older) to accompany them during their appointment.
- Patients who present for care to YRMC’s Emergency Department may have one visitor (18 years of age or older). Visitors may not enter the COVID-19 triage tents.
- Laboring mothers may have one support person with them. For additional visitation questions relating to YRMC’s Family Birthing Center, please call (928) 442-8800.
- All visitors must follow YRMC’s strict mask-use policy while inside any YRMC facility. A procedural mask is required. These masks are provided at screening.
- Outpatients and inpatients going for surgery or an invasive procedure may have one adult support companion (18 years of age or older) accompany them to the perioperative area, wait during the procedure or surgery, and see them, as appropriate, post-operatively.
- Special circumstances may warrant an exception to these rules. YRMC leadership will consider exception requests on a case-by-case basis.
“Although there are limitations on the number and type of visitors to our hospitals and Emergency Department, we understand that communicating with loved ones and friends is an important part of a patient’s healing,” states Boush. “We continue to encourage visitors to communicate electronically or by phone with patients. Video chat, voice, and texting options are digital alternatives and can help you stay connected with your loved one.”