Kent Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital update visitation guidelines

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- Kent Hospital and Women and Infants hospital have updated their visitation guidelines.

Kent Hospital will be temporarily suspending their visitation starting December 30 due to the spread of COVID.

The exceptions to the suspension are 1 birthing partner and doula, ADA accommodations (blind, wheelchairs, dementia, etc), and end of life visitation (as identified by the care team).

This is only pertaining to patient visitation, it should not affect outpatient appointments.

Women and Infants Hospital is restricting their visitation starting December 31.

Some exceptions will be allowed, such as one support person for Emergency Department patients.

Adult Inpatients on WPCU will be allowed one support person.

Obstetric Inpatients will be allowed one support person, and pre-designated doula.

NICU patients will be allowed two support persons.

Diagnostic Imaging patients can have one support person.

Women & Infants will make accommodations for outpatient appointments, but ask if possible for patients to come alone.

A support person that is essential for the support of a patient who has a mobility issue or a disability, including patients who have altered mental status, communications barriers, intellectual and/ or developmental disabilities will be allowed to accompany patients.

Those who leave the building will not be able to come back inside. All support persons should remain in the patients room except to go to the cafeteria, Au Bon Pain, or the main entrance to pick up food. Support persons are also required to be masked during the stay.