Providence Expands Visitation at Southwest Washington Facilities  

In response to lower COVID-19 hospitalizations at the facility and an ample supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Providence has expanded its visitation policies at facilities in Southwest Washington. 

Some of the changes include:

• Expanded visitation for non-COVID-19 medical and surgical inpatients, allowing one visitor during normal visitation hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in some areas
• All Providence Medical Group patients are permitted to have one support person accompany them to their visit
• Expanded visitation in the critical care units
• Expanded visitation for end-of-life patients

The decision to expand visitation came as Providence’s St. Peter and Centralia hospitals saw a decrease from more than 100 COVID-19 positive patients a few months ago to less than 40 as of Nov. 22, according to a Providence news release. 

Providence will continue reviewing its visitation guidelines on a monthly basis, and the policy may change if Providence sees a spike in COVID-19 patients. 

“Balancing patient and caregiver safety with the importance of engaging loved ones in the healing process, has been significant throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Providence in the news release.  

Complete visitation guidelines are available at coronavirus.providence.org/blog/uf/619849763?streamId=6734913.