Baptist Health La Grange suspends visitation at its hospitals, medical offices to safeguard patients, staff
La Grange, KY- March 23, 2020
Effective Tuesday, March 24, Baptist Health is suspending visitation at all of its hospitals, and allowing only essential caregivers to accompany patients for medical appointments or tests. There will be limited exceptions.
For the past two weeks, Baptist Health has been progressively restricting access to its hospitals and Baptist Health Medical Group offices to protect patients from the COVID-19 virus.
“This is a difficult but necessary step to help deal with this ever-changing situation,” said Baptist Health CEO Gerard Colman. “We apologize for the inconvenience to our patients and their loved ones, but we must keep patient and staff safety our top priority. With Baptist Health’s long-standing reputation of providing ‘treat-you-like-family’ care, you know your family members and friends are in good hands.”
At the hospitals, there will be limited exceptions, allowing one healthy visitor or companion for:
- Patients under age 18 (must be a parent or guardian)
- Women in labor (birthing partner)
- End-of-life patients (clergy)
- Hospice or end-of-life patients (visitor)
- Dependent patients who require assistance (caregiver)
Those allowed to visit or accompany a patient will be screened prior to visitation, which may include having a temperature taken. Only one visitor or companion for a patient may be in the hospital at one time.
“We encourage everyone to use their personal electronic devices to use virtual means such as FaceTime or Skype to communicate with their loved ones in the hospital,” said Clint Kaho, president of Baptist Health La Grange.
For Baptist Health Medical Group offices and outpatient facilities, a single essential caregiver will be allowed for:
- Child under age 18 (parent)
- Dependent adult who requires assistance (caregiver)
- End-of-life patient (determined on case-by-case basis)
Other recent measures taken by Baptist Health include postponement of elective surgeries and of certain diagnostic screening tests.
For the latest information on Baptist Health La Grange policies and response to COVID-19, visit BaptistHealth.com/LaGrange or follow Baptist Health La Grange on social media.
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About Baptist Health La Grange
Baptist Health La Grange is a 120-bed hospital providing a broad spectrum of healthcare services to residents of Oldham, Henry, Trimble, Carroll and eastern Jefferson counties. The facility offers an Emergency Department that is stroke certified by the Joint Commission, and a five-star rated Skilled and Rehab Care Center. Patients also have access to a new Cardiac Center with diagnostic capabilities, Infusion Center for receiving chemotherapy treatment and renovated pre- and post-op and PACU areas. The hospital offers comprehensive diagnostic imaging capabilities including the recent addition of 3D mammography, the expanded George and Beverly Rawlings Women’s Center and a private, up-to-date Sleep Center. Baptist Health La Grange offers 18 points of care, plus intensive and critical care, pulmonary services, rehabilitation and sports medicine and ambulatory care. Baptist Health Medical Group physician offices are conveniently located on campus. Baptist Health Crestwood, an outpatient facility, offers easy access to physical therapy, diagnostic imaging and a physician office. The hospital also manages the Oldham County EMS, a service owned by the Oldham County Ambulance Taxing District and Oldham Fiscal Court. The agency is one of only two agencies in Kentucky to receive the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver Award. The hospital is also designated Pathway to Excellence for excellence in nursing services by the American Nursing Credentialing Center. Baptist Health La Grange is part of the nine-hospital Baptist Health system, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, go to BaptistHealthLaGrange.com