Covid 19 visitor restrictions

Published

Interested to hear what people are experiencing in regard to Covid-19 visitor restrictions. How are patients and their family members/significant others coping? What can we do to help?

On 5/23/2020 at 5:50 PM, amoLucia said:

First person experience -

I was hospitalized in 2 hosps from 5/4 to 5/11. My determining decision was simple - stay home and DIE or be hospitalized despite C19. I chose 911 hospitalization, knowing full-well that visitation of my next-of-kin, responsible party would NOT be possible except by phone. Unexpected, surprise gyn hemorrhaging (with a Hgb drop to 7.1 AFTER 1 unit blood) determined my stay. PP rzyzzy said a mouthful re pt's "significantly decreased physiological reserves". To say I needed family support is an understatement in view of emergency surgery, my DNR decision, and a new cancer diagnosis.

Providers' discussions were often mumbled garbled 'wa wa, wa, wa wa, wa' like good ole' Charlie Brown's school teacher. I have very limited memory of much of my early stay. I do remember that everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, was quick-quick because of C19. But the details remain very fuzzy.

And now I face travelling to another cancer hospital to determine my plan of care, again without any family to be present. And despite 36 years of nursing experience, I have lost some brain cells to best discern those impending discussions and decisions.

And as alone as I was during my hosp stays, I had a frail 79 y/o roommate, absolutely amazing. She too was without family support and facing immed discharge after 1 1/2 day hosp. Going home being alone with home care services. Try explaining all that to someone like her.

So from a first-hand experience, I can say that visitor limitation is significantly devastatingly debilitating. Inconvenient is one thing, I had NO clothes or personal effects. But the so sorely needed MENTAL (and emotional) support just couldn't be there when nec.

I truly understand the C19 restrictions. But at what cost to those deprived of support! It's of no use to bemoan things past or in the imminent future. I merely want to point out that today's restrictions are mind-boggling; nothing on TV can prepare one for the true REALITY of the PATIENT-EXPERIENCE just like TV does not truly present the REALITY of you front-line working staff.

Funny thing, I freq DID ask some staff about their feelings re visitor restrictions. For some there was relief from the burden of bothersome visitors, but they all acknowledged the heartbreaking deprivation so many pts were experiencing.

To all the staff during my hospitalization, from nurses & providers, to transport and dietary and hskpg and newbie nurses (incl GNs and senior nsg students), I say thank you for your dedication and commitment to go in to work each day and then for the service you provide when in. You are under-recognized and under appreciated, but not by ME. TY.

I am very sorry that you had this experience. I can only imagine how hard it must have been to go through what you did (and to go through what you are currently going through) and not be allowed to have a family member/significant other with you.

For patients and their family members/loved ones, this is a very traumatic situation.

As you and other people who have been patients have commented, being deprived of having one's family member/loved one/significant other with one is devastating. Nurses, doctors, and other health care workers provide vital, necessary care, but they are no substitute for a patient's loved ones.

I am sure these types of discussions are taking place all over the country, but I have not yet read this of this situation being acknowledged publicly by health care facilities. I am not suggesting that this is not happening, just that I haven't yet read about it.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

OP - TY for your kind response. You're right, I haven't heard anything about any systematic response re the 'significant other' deprivation of past & currently hospitalized pts.

But having experienced what I did, I truly believe that those past and current (and prob future) outcomes of hosp pts are being SERIOUSLY compromised and are prob reflected in poor results in recovery and deaths. And I'm not just talking of C19 pts; all pts are equally jeopardized.

Something has to help the situation. And not just acute care - I'm sure LTC is worse.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
55 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

But having experienced what I did, I truly believe that those past and current (and prob future) outcomes of hosp pts are being SERIOUSLY compromised and are prob reflected in poor results in recovery and deaths. And I'm not just talking of C19 pts; all pts are equally jeopardized.

Something has to help the situation. And not just acute care - I'm sure LTC is worse.

I agree with you. I actually would have thought that this would be a serious enough concern that a support person would be permitted. I had a discussion with someone who would have been able to provide more information, but they were vague in regard to disclosing what guidance/source/reasoning is behind the strict prohibition of even a patient's close family member/significant other.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

In retrospect, I truly, truly understand and SUPPORT the public health/infectious disease community for their efforts to aggressively try to control C19. And I believe they did the best that prob could have been done under the political, economical and socially public mindsets of these times. However, those measures have turned out to be rather DRACONIAN and unexpectedly more extensive (in time and scope) than was orig thought nec in those early times.

Change is necesary NOW. Hell, if opening tattoo parlors & puppy parks is so critical, where does the welfare of the vulnerable sick rank?!!? Put in approp screening measures and the all the distancing & masks, and reasonable visiting hours limited periods, etc. And here's the most crucial measure, STRICTLY ENFORCE those measures without deviation!! On my medi-tansport there was a sign - "NO MASK, NO RIDE!". The drivers told me they did evict a non-compliant transport. Dang, they can do it on airplanes! So .....

To OP - TY for the opp'ty allowing me to vent. I am very passionate re this topic, but I'll step down from my soapbox now.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
14 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

To OP - TY for the opp'ty allowing me to vent. I am very passionate re this topic, but I'll step down from my soapbox now.

Thank you very much for participating, and please feel free to continue to comment as much as you wish.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
39 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

Put in approp screening measures and the all the distancing & masks, and reasonable visiting hours limited periods, etc. And here's the most crucial measure, STRICTLY ENFORCE those measures without deviation!! On my medi-tansport there was a sign - "NO MASK, NO RIDE!". The drivers told me they did evict a non-compliant transport. Dang, they can do it on airplanes! So .....

I agree completely with appropriate screening measures for the patient's family member/significant other, e.g. temperature checks; ask if the person has had recent exposure to a person known to have Covid 19; ask if the person has had symptoms of Covid 19 recently; ensure they are wearing a mask and require that they continue to wear it inside the facility; require social distancing.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

We have moved into phase 2 of visiting in our hospital. Admitted patients are allowed one visitor per day. Restricted hours, screening and masks. They can have a different visitor the next day but cannot rotate visitors on the same day.

On a side note we busted my folks out of the ALF and took them to watch the local sailboat races. I haven’t seen my dad smile so much since this all started. We’re gonna do it again tomorrow. ?⛵️

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

Early this month my husband had a postponed surgery and stayed overnight. We were told that the RN assigned to him would determine whether or not I could be there. After talking with the doctor I went home. When fully awake he called me. His nurse asked if he wanted me there in the morning to help him put on his clothes and he said he was fine with the care partner doing it. All visitors, even in the lobby, must wear masks and be afebrile.

The assisted living home where our step-Mom lived at the end of her live there has been no one, staff or resident infected (so far). I used to pick her up to go to lunch as well as for appointments. I haven't asked how they do it, but they have done well so far.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

Wuzzie - where are you located? I pray that a little bit of sanity can prevail without any negative outcomes.

Happy also for your Dad.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

At first no visitors were allowed in. Than about 2 weeks ago they now started with only 1, but the they HAVE TO leave at 20:00. They must wear a mask while with the patient. The patient doesn't have to wear a mask during a visit.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Many patients have executed DPOA's and/or other legal documents such as authorizations to disclose their HIPAA information to their Agent according to state law. How are facilities honoring the rights/powers/responsibilities of the patient's Agent if the patient's family member/significant other (who would very often also be the patient's Agent) is being prohibited from being with them due to Covid-19 visitor restrictions? How can the patient's Agent observe the patient's condition and response to their treatment, and be knowledgeable about the patient's condition and the care they are receiving, in order to enable them to make good decisions in the patient's interest and in accordance with the patient's wishes, if they are not present with the patient? During the course of hospitalization a patient can fluctuate between being able to understand their condition and the care they are receiving and being able to make informed decisions, and not. Being a patient's Agent is an active role, not a passive one. I haven't heard or read anything about this.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

Susie2310 - points very well taken. I concur as one who was inpt 5/4 > 5/11.

'Been there, and experienced all that'.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion