In-person visitation will be temporarily stopped at Ascension Wisconsin facilities.
According to a Ascension Wisconsin spokesperson, to minimize the impact of COVID-19, they are limiting visitors in the hospitals.
"We encourage family members and friends of patients in our care to stay connected with their loved ones by virtual visitation," said the Ascension Wisconsin spokesperson. "Our goal is to protect our associates and those we are privileged to serve by limiting possible exposure to COVID-19 and directing people to the right level of care."
There will be some exceptions on a case-by-case basis, including labor and delivery, pediatrics, neonatal intensive care (NICU) and end-of-life care. The hospital is encouraging any potential visitors to use to use alternate methods of communication to stay in contact with loved ones, such as calling, video chatting, or texting.
The following apps can be used to help people connect virtually with their loved ones: Facebook Messenger, Facetime, Google hangouts, Google Duo, WhatsApp, Skype, Viber or Signal. These can be downloaded in either the App Store (iPhone) or the Play Store (Android). Both patient and visitor will need to download the same application. Access to guest wi-fi at Ascension Wisconsin facilities is available by connecting to AH-Guest.
The updated restricted visitation policy at Ascension Wisconsin also includes the following:
- All visitors, associates, clinicians and vendors entering Ascension Wisconsin facilities will be screened for flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose/nasal congestion and or sore throat
- No visitors who screen positive for cough, fever or difficulty breathing will be permitted into the facility
- To implement this, Ascension Wisconsin facilities will be implementing minimized entrance points as needed
- Visitors under the age of 18 will not be permitted