What’s Changed for Patients and Visitors?
AHN is keeping close watch on the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As this situation evolves, we will continue to follow CDC updates and guidance, and work closely with the county and state health departments.
AHN continues to take proactive steps to protect our patients and caregivers, and to prevent potential transmission of the virus, including enhanced patient screening practices and clinical protocols at AHN emergency departments, surgery centers, and physicians’ practices.
Information related to changes for patients and visitors
Until further notice these policies take the place of any previously published patient and visitor information at all of AHN’s hospitals, facilities, and offices.
AHN visitation policy
Right now, visitation is closed at all of our hospitals, offices, and outpatient facilities.
As we continue to fight Coronavirus, we must do everything we can to protect the health of our patients, care teams, and community. This unfortunately means visitors are not currently permitted in our hospitals and outpatient facilities.
While we know it’s frustrating, these restrictions are put in place to help slow the spread and keep everyone as safe as possible.
Support people are only permitted in hospitals under certain circumstances.
We understand that some patients have unique needs, and we’ve done everything we can to accommodate those. Review the visitation exceptions and rules for each specific area below.
For all circumstances listed, clergy visitation is allowed in addition to any noted support people.
Labor and delivery
- One support person with 24/7 access
- One doula
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU)
- One set of parents (2 support people)
Pediatrics
- One support person for any patient under the age of 18.
End-of-life care
- Two support people can stay with a non-Coronavirus patient or in a designated waiting area.
- One support person can stay with a Coronavirus patient or in a designated waiting area.
Patients with special accommodations
- One support person can accompany any patient with cognitive challenges, communication barriers, behavioral health concerns, or certain physical disabilities.
- One support person is allowed for patients being discharged home into a caregiver’s support.
Surgery
- One support person is allowed to wait in a designated area on the day of a patient’s surgery, during the surgical time.
- One support person may receive discharge instructions on the day of discharge.
- Note: If patient or visitor volumes prevent proper social distancing, changes may be made.
Emergency department
- One support person is allowed to wait in a designated area. The person may be allowed in the patient’s room, but only when directed by hospital staff.
- Note: If patient or visitor volumes prevent proper social distancing, changes may be made.
Coronavirus patients
- Unless at end of life, no support people are allowed. This is done for the utmost safety for our visitors, patients, and staff.
Rules for support people
All support people are expected to:
- Present valid identification when entering the hospital and be over the age of 18.
- Accept a Coronavirus screening and not be experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, or shortness of breath.
- Wear a mask at all times. Please bring your own, or one will be provided.
- Stay within designated areas — either the patient’s room or specific waiting areas.
- Make other arrangements for meals and drinks — the cafeteria is closed.
Yes, these restrictions are difficult, but protecting our patients and care teams is — and will always be — our number one priority.
Because at AHN, it’s safety first. Always.
Hospital cafeterias are closed to visitors for everyone’s safety
Right now, we can only serve hospital workers to make sure we’re all keeping our distance.
If you’re visiting a patient, you can get information about other food options when you check-in at the hospital entrance.
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Safety guidelines for all appointments
If you have an appointment with an AHN doctor at an office or outpatient facility, you may only have a support person accompany you in the following situations:
Pediatrics
- One support person for any patient under the age of 18.
Patients with special accommodations
- One support person can accompany any patient with cognitive challenges, communication barriers, behavioral health concerns, or certain physical disabilities.
- One support person is allowed for patients being discharged home into a caregiver’s support.
Support people will be expected to:
- Present valid identification when entering the hospital and be over the age of 18.
- Accept a Coronavirus screening and not be experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, or shortness of breath.
- Wear a mask at all times. Please bring your own, or one will be provided.
- Stay within designated areas — either the patient’s room or specific waiting areas.
As our offices implement heightened disinfecting and protection measures, keep in mind that each space operates differently. Safety precautions may vary from one location to another and could change daily based on patient volume. Please work with us to help keep our patients, guests, and staff healthy and safe.
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Elective surgeries continue at AHN
AHN is moving forward in a careful, safe, and structured manner to meet the comprehensive surgical needs of our patients, including medically urgent cases and many other procedures that were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Classes and events
We are committed to the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and staff. In accordance with precautions being taken to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, virtual instructor led classes are now available. These classes may include an up front cost to pay online while registering for the class of your choice. Continue to check this web page for updates on virtual classes and the potential future reintroduction of in person classes & events at AHN locations.
VIEW ALL CLASSES AND EVENTS
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AHN protocols, screening, and training
As of early February, AHN has implemented its Pandemic Response Policy. This includes screening protocols established by CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and DOH (Pennsylvania Department of Health), care protocols, instructional signage for patients, screening questions for physicians in our health record system, and outreach to our pre-hospital care providers. The details are below.
- The enhanced screening processes have been implemented at all access points across the health network, including emergency departments, surgery centers, urgent care clinics, rehabilitation facilities, physician practices, home health services and internal employee health offices, and Call Center, as well as through its 24/7 Nurse Line service.
- Consistent CDC recommended protocols have been implemented across AHN’s hospitals for the care of patients presenting to emergency departments with suspected respiratory infectious disease, including placement of the patient in negative pressure rooms and use of PPE (personal protective equipment) by all caregivers and visitors to the patient. Specimens are being collected according to recommended guidelines and sent to the CDC for COVID-19 testing.
- Signage has been placed at the entrances to all emergency departments and in other AHN facilities asking patients to put on a protective mask upon arrival if they are experiencing flu like symptoms.
- Modifications have been made to AHN’s electronic health record system (Epic) to incorporate screening questions based on current CDC guidelines at all points of intake for all patients.
- AHN caregivers are being trained or retrained in the use of personal protective equipment and are being communicated to routinely, in writing and directly through their supervisors, about the importance of following the enhanced patient screening and care protocols.
- AHN is working with both its employed pre-hospital care providers and local EMS service partners to promote the same enhanced patient screening protocols for home entries. It’s also doing the same for thousands of independent but affiliated physician practices in the western Pennsylvania region through its Clinically Integrated Network.
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If you have any additional concerns, please reach out to our 24/7 Nurse Line at (412) NURSE-4-U (412) 687-7348.
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