Sisters of Mercy Health System

01/11/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/11/2022 15:21

Current Visitor Restrictions at Mercy Hospital Watonga

Mercy has adopted leading industry protocols to ensure the highest quality and safety standards to keep our patients, co-workers and visitors as safe as possible while on our campus. Mercy is currently restricting visitors at its hospital campuses and clinics across Oklahoma and providing guidelines for mask requirements on campus.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as Mercy's response evolves and protocols are updated.

Mask Policy: To best protect our patients, co-workers and visitors from the highly contagious omicron variant, Mercy now requires co-workers, patients and visitors towear medical-grade or higher face masks at all times while on campus. Cloth masks will no longer be allowed. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own masks with them, but masks will be available at hospital and clinic entrances.

Please review the following guidelines, which are effective January 5, 2022.

Adult patients admitted to the hospital have the right to designate a spouse, family member or caregiver to be physically present with the patient while they are receiving inpatient care. Minor patients admitted to a hospital have the right to have a parent, guardian or person standing in loco parentis be present while the patient is receiving inpatient care.

Exceptions to the visitor policy are listed below:

  • Visitors will not be allowed if the presence of visitor is medically or therapeutically contraindicated.
  • Visitors will not be allowed if the presence of a visitor would interfere with the care of or rights of any patient.
  • Visitors will not be allowed if they are engaging in disruptive, threatening or violent behavior toward any staff member, patient or other visitor.
  • Visitors will not be allowed if they are noncompliant with hospital policy.
  • Visitors will not be allowed if they refuse or decline to wear personal protective equipment provided by the hospital or if they fail to comply with reasonable safety protocols and rules of conduct.
  • Visitors are not allowed into typically restricted areas including, but not limited to, the operating room, isolation rooms, isolation units, behavioral health settings or during times when hospital staff are administering emergency care in critical situations. Visitors are not allowed beyond the rooms, units or wards where the patient they are visiting is receiving care or beyond general common areas in the hospital.

Admitted Patients/Swing Bed Patients:

  • Except as permitted under the No Patient Left Alone Act, visitor hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Non-COVID adult patients will be allowed one designated caregiver for the day for inpatient stay or outpatient visit. This visitor may not be exchanged with another guest during a patient's visit.
  • Caregivers must wear a mask at all times.
  • Caregivers need to remain in the room with the patient and not wander throughout the facility.
  • Caregivers may be allowed to order from the cafeteria to eat in the patient room.
  • COVID positive patients, as well as those pending results, will not be allowed caregiver visits at this time.
  • During end-of-life situations, COVID positive and Non-COVID patients may be allowed 3 designated caregivers.

Emergency Room:

  • COVID-19 positive patients or patients with pending COVID test results may not have a caregiver in the emergency room. Visitors must wait in their vehicle.
  • All patients may have one caregiver escort during their care.
  • Caregivers must remain in the room with the patient and wear a mask at all times.

Outpatient Services:

  • One caregiver will be allowed to escort the patient to their destination.
  • The caregiver will be allowed to wait in the waiting room during the procedure and will be notified when completed then be reunited with the patient.

Campus Guidelines:

  • The cafeteria is closed to visitors.
  • Patient representatives/caregivers must be 16 years of age or older
  • Caregivers will be allowed for patients needing extra caregiver support including translation services, physical assistance and patients with an altered mental status.
  • All individuals will be screened for symptoms upon arrival. Co-workers and patient representatives/caregivers are required to wear face masks at all times. Patient representatives are encouraged to bring their own masks with them, in addition to practicing proper hand hygiene.
  • We ask all individuals entering our facilities to practice safe social distancing.
  • Requests for exceptions to the above policy may be approved through the department manager or administration.

Media Contact

Meredith Huggins
Guthrie, Kingfisher, Oklahoma City, Ada, Ardmore, Healdton, Watonga, Tishomingo
Phone: 405-936-5766
Twitter: @MercyOklahoma