Mercy Medical Center Updates Visitation Policy

SPRINGFIELD — To support the involvement of family members in care while continuing to protect the safety of patients, visitors, and colleagues, Mercy Medical Center is modifying the visitor-restriction policy in line with phase 2 reopening guidelines. Effective immediately, Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates, including Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital and the Family Life Center, will permit one visitor, over age 18, for each hospitalized or surgical patient.

In all cases, Mercy will continue to allow the following exceptions: one parent or guardian for minors under age 18 or adults in need of guardianship; one support person/birthing partner for a woman in labor; one visitor for an end-of-life patient or while on hospice care; and one companion for a patient with cognitive or physical disability.

Visiting hours are 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and visitors should not stay longer than two hours at a time.

All visitors will be screened prior to entry and will not be allowed if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 or infectious illness, recent travel, or presence of COVID-19. Visitation to patients with active COVID-19 infection will be made on a case-by-case basis. All visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times while in the facility, and groups must not congregate in waiting areas, lobbies, or cafeterias.

The Emergency Department and ambulatory areas, including the Sister Caritas Cancer Center, Imaging department, and Endoscopy suite, among others, will continue with full visitor restrictions, unless by an exception noted above.