(WXYZ) — Beaumont Health is launching a number of measures to deal with the coronavirus situation. The measures include visitor restrictions at their facilities.
The company made the announcement in the following press release:
Beaumont Health launches Coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline, implements visitor safety restrictions to help stop the spread of virus
As the new coronavirus, COVID-19, continues to evolve, Beaumont Health is taking multiple steps to help reduce the spread of the disease.
- Beaumont Health has launched a Coronavirus Hotline: 248-551-7000.
- Visitor safety restrictions to be put in place at all eight Beaumont hospitals.
"We appreciate the community’s support and understanding as we take steps to help keep people healthy and stop the spread of the disease. Beaumont is prepared to care for patients diagnosed with the virus. We are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines and regularly communicating with county and state health officials," said Dr. Nick Gilpin, Beaumont’s medical director of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology. "The best defense is to practice good hand hygiene and avoid contact with people who are sick."
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Hotline: 248-551-7000
Staffed by Beaumont nurses, the hotline is a community resource for timely, accurate information about COVID-19 symptoms and virtual screening for people who are experiencing symptoms. The line is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Nurses will answer questions about the virus and direct patients to the appropriate level of care:
- Treating symptoms at home.
- Following up with a primary doctor.
- Seeking treatment at an urgent care or an emergency center.
- Beaumont urges patients who have COVID-19 symptoms: cough, fever, difficulty breathing, to call ahead to the hotline before being examined by a physician. This will help health care providers reduce the likelihood of others getting exposed. If you need medical attention during a time when the hotline is not active, please call ahead to the physician’s office, urgent care or emergency center before traveling there.
For general information about coronavirus/COVID-19 and how to stay healthy during this evolving situation, please visit Beaumont.org/coronavirus. Please do not call the hotline unless you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, please call 911.
Visitor Safety Restrictions (Effective 9 a.m., March 13)
To protect our patients, staff, visitors and the community during the outbreak, we are following state and federal recommendations and restricting visitors to our hospitals. All routine visiting is restricted at our eight hospitals until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat. Restricted visitation will be in effect for all people, including family, friends, and vendors, who enter a Beaumont hospital.
Some exceptions can be made for end-of-life situations or other extreme circumstances.
- No visitors will be allowed in rooms of patients with pending or positive COVID-19 tests, except under extreme circumstances.
- Anyone under the age of 16 is restricted from visiting, except under extreme circumstances.
- Most patients will be allowed two visitors who must remain in the hospital room for the duration of the visit.
- All visitors will be required to be screened for symptoms of respiratory illness: fever, runny nose, cough and shortness of breath, prior to entering one of our hospitals. Individuals with these symptoms will not be permitted to visit patients.
- After a visit is complete, visitors must leave the hospital and cannot remain in waiting areas, public areas or cafeterias.
“Our patient care philosophy depends greatly on engaging families to be part of the healing process. The decision to restrict visitors was difficult and made only after careful consideration as we witness schools, churches and other venues restrict gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Beaumont Health Chief Nursing Officer Susan Grant, RN, said. “We recognize there are times when having a visitor or family member present is crucial. In those cases, visitors will be allowed based on our guidelines.”
Risk Factors, Symptoms and Face Masks
People at higher risk for the virus include those who develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19. Risk factors increase if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread of the disease.
The CDC does not recommend face masks for healthy people to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. Only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and/or are showing symptoms. This helps protect others from getting infected.
For more information about COVID-19, visit Beaumont.org/coronavirus