Heather Coury, LPN, screens a visitor with a temperature check at the William Newton Hospital front entrance. (Photo courtesy WNH)
As Cowley County implements plans for the safe reopening of businesses and services, William Newton Hospital in Winfield adjusted its visitor restrictions on Tuesday, according to a news release.
“Not only do loved ones play a huge role in the emotional well-being of our patients, but they also assist healthcare providers with communication and mobilization,” William Newton Hospital Chief Executive Officer Ben Quinton said. “Our team has developed a safe way to allow patients time with family or friends.”
He added the hospital is confident in lifting the “no visitors” policy due to the added safety precautions in place.
“Now two and a half months into the COVID-19 pandemic, WNH is better equipped. We’ve updated our policies and processes, we have isolation units in operation, we have screening and testing solutions in place, and we have a handle on resource needs such as personal protective equipment,” Quinton explained.
The hospital’s visitor restrictions effective June 2 are as follows:
- All visitor traffic will be limited to the front entrances of each healthcare facility.
- Only one visitor per patient is permitted.
- Visiting hours will be 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- All visitors will be screened, including a few brief questions and a temperature check. Visitors
showing COVID-19 symptoms will not be permitted. - Visitors under the age of 18 are not permitted. Visitors over the age of 65 are strongly
discouraged. - Visitors are required to bring their own mask or face covering. This must be worn while in the
facility and patient’s room. - Visitors will be provided with a wristband to be worn at all times.
- Movement of visitors in the facility is limited to the patient’s room or recovery bay. Shared
spaces such as waiting rooms are not allowed unless appropriate social distancing can be
achieved. Food services and gift shop are restricted. - Patients who are under investigation for COVID-19 or are COVID-19 positive may not have
visitors, unless they are Comfort Measures Only, Pediatric, or Labor and Delivery. - Outside vendors and consultants are restricted without prior approval.
Quinton pointed out visitors are required to wear a mask or face covering; however, the hospital cannot provide them to everyone at this time.
“Even though we’ve been able to source sufficient PPE to cover current demand and have received generous donations from the community, it’s important to preserve what we have,” he said. “The threat of COVID-19 spreading in our community is still too high. We have to protect our healthcare workers.”
The hospital urges the public to understand the key symptoms of onset COVID-19, practice good personal hygiene habits, and follow social distancing recommendations:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often, using either soap and water or
alcohol-based hand gel for at least 20 seconds - Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Wear a mask or face covering anytime social distancing is difficult to maintain
About William Newton Hospital
Located in south central Kansas, William Newton Hospital is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital that serves patients in Winfield, Cowley County, and neighboring regions. The non-profit community general hospital is locally managed and financially self-sufficient, relying entirely on patient revenue and philanthropic support. It not supported by local taxes and does not receive outside health system assistance.
The hospital is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Winfield City Commission. The William Newton Hospital network includes five rural health clinics, provides office facilities for medical staff members and offers occupational health, home health, labor and delivery, physical therapy, advanced wound care, cardiology, orthopaedics, and other general medical and surgical care for patients as well as emergency room services. For more information, go to www.wnhcares.org.
