CAY HILL--St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) has adjusted its patient visiting policy in light of the decrease in active COVID-19 cases, according to a press release from the hospital on Tuesday.
The amended policy went into effect Tuesday, September 27, allowing patients admitted to the Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Paediatric, Day Care or Medical/Surgical ward one visitor per visiting hour. Visiting hours are now 11:30am to 12:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm.
The adjusted patient visiting policy also allows one partner or companion to accompany maternity patients to their pre-natal appointments and two companions to be present during delivery. For Caesarean-section (C-section) patients, the number of companions allowed remains at one and special arrangements are made for visitors of non-COVID-19 patients on the Intensive Care ward.
All visitors and companions must adhere to SMMC’s universal masking and mandatory hand hygiene policies. Visitors and companions will also be subjected to SMMC’s COVID-19 screening questionnaire prior to entry and must register at the Service Desk.
“While SMMC acknowledges the positive effect receiving visitors has on patients’ mental health, well-being and ultimately their physical recovery, patients, visitors and companions alike are asked to avoid visiting the hospital if they are experiencing any flu-like symptoms,” said the release. “This is in the interest of protecting patients, many of whom are vulnerable and at risk of severe COVID-19, as well as staff.”
SMMC advises persons with friends or family admitted to hospital who are not on the patient’s list of approved visitors to make use of text messages and phone and video calls where possible, to keep in touch with their loved ones.
Persons wishing to receive an update on a patient must contact the patient’s emergency contact (which is typically a spouse or immediate family member), as the hospital said it does not provide patient information to third parties to protect and uphold patient confidentiality and its patients’ right to privacy.
SMMC thanks the public for their cooperation as it provides quality care close to home while keeping its staff and patients safe.
