Lafayette General Health further restricts visitors, limits entry access and creates Nurse Help Line Health system follows recommended guidance provided by the Louisiana Department of Health

Lafayette, La – While there are no COVID-19 cases in Lafayette General Health facilities currently, for the protection of our employees and patients - in anticipation of and in preparation for potential cases - we are implementing the following visitor restriction policy and limiting access to entrances. Entrances will be monitored and all visitors will undergo a travel and health screening.

• Limiting Hospital Entry Access at all of our hospitals.
  
  • Lafayette General Medical Center, Lafayette General Orthopedic Hospital, Acadia General Hospital: All doors will be closed except for Main Entrance and ER. Main entrance will be open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Emergency Department will be open 24/7.
  • University Hospital & Clinics: Main entrance will be open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrances 1, 2 and 4 will be open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Emergency Department will be open 24/7.
  • St. Martin Hospital: Outpatient entrance will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Main entrance will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Emergency Department will be open 24/7.
  • Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital: Front entrance will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Emergency Department will be open 24/7.

• Limiting Visitation to Essential Visitors Only. Essential Visitors include:
  
  • Spouse/Partner to laboring Moms
  • Parents/Guardians to child in Pediatrics/NICU
  • Spouse/Partner/Family Spokesperson of critically ill patient
  • Spouse/Partner/Adult Child(ren) of palliative care patient
  • A family member assisting an inpatient with special needs (Ex: Patients with decreased mental capacity or patients with significant mobility issues)

Visitors who do not fall into those categories will not be allowed into the facility. Essential visitor will be identified by patient or responsible party, and swapping visitors throughout the day will not be allowed. Families encouraged to use alternate means of communication such as FaceTime, Skype or phones located in patient rooms.

• Entrances Will be Monitored. Lafayette General Health staff will monitor the Main Entrance and ER Entrance at all hospitals and determine who is considered an Essential Visitor. Visitors will be screened with the following screening questions:
  
  • Currently or within the past 24 hours, have you had a fever greater than 100.4, had a cough or experienced shortness of breath?
  • Have you had close contact with someone who is confirmed to have or is currently a person under investigation of having COVID-19?
  • In the last 14 days, have you traveled internationally to countries with sustained community transmission?
  • Have you been in the Greater New Orleans area or any other parts of the country with known cases of COVID-19 in the last 14 days?

• Restricted Entry at Clinics and Urgent Care Locations. There should be no visitors for urgent care or clinic visits unless patient needs assistance for the visit.
• Restricted Access to Cafeteria. The cafeteria will only be accessible to patients, approved visitors and staff.
• Nurse Hot Line Created for the Public. For those with general questions, concerns with being asymptomatic or experiencing symptoms, Lafayette General Health has created a specific line at 1-855-206-9675 to speak directly with a nurse or care coordinator.

For the most recent updates, please visit www.LafayetteGeneral.com/COVID-19.