WMH To Suspend Visitation

(Honesdale, November 23, 2020)… In view of similar COVID-safety precautions  around the region, Wayne Memorial Hospital will once again close its doors to visitors except in special circumstances such as end-of-life or maternity.

“The number of COVID cases throughout the state unfortunately continues to climb,” said Wayne Memorial CEO David Hoff, “and it is imperative that we do all we can to reduce the potential for exposure to our patients, staff and visitors. Safety is key.”

Beginning at 3pm on Wednesday, November 25th, no one other than staff and patients will be permitted to enter the Honesdale facility unless they meet certain criteria for exception.

All visitors who are approved must be 18 years of age, in good health and able to present a form of identification.  Emergency Department patients are not permitted a visitor unless they meet conditions such as medical instability or they are a minor, have an altered mental status, are in the throes of an alert-condition such as a heart attack or stroke or exhibit disruptive behavior where another person is essential to their care.

No visitors will be allowed in the Emergency Department waiting room; visitors will be asked to wait in their vehicles and provide a contact phone number for staff.

Everyone – patients, staff, approved visitors – must be masked upon entry.

Wayne Memorial Outpatient Services, including Laboratory Services and Imaging/Radiology will continue to operate as usual. Patients seeking these services with prescriptions will be permitted to enter the hospital.

Hospitals in the Scranton area, such as Geisinger Community Medical Center and Moses Taylor, have already curtailed much of their visitation due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

“While Wayne Memorial Hospital has seen an increase in COVID cases also, we are not experiencing a situation we cannot handle at this time,” said James Pettinato, RN, director Patient Care Services. “At the same time, we feel the numbers are such that it is in the best interest and safety of our staff, patients and community to enhance our mitigation protocols, such as suspending visitation.”

Wayne Memorial banned visitors in March for COVID-related reasons but reopened in June with temperature taking, screening questions and limited door access. For more information about Wayne Memorial, visit www.wmh.org.