The new hospital visitation rules went into effect Wednesday for all California hospitals.
Visitors will now need to provide proof of vaccination or alternatively a negative COVID-19 test from the previous 72 hours.
The public health order was issued by the California Department of Public Health. “Now with the increase in infectivity and the increase in the number of cases … we are concerned. And we want to keep our policy in line with the state, ”said Dr. Euthym Kontaxis, Medical Director, Tennity Eisenhower Health Emergency Department. Valley hospitals began asking visitors for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result Wednesday morning. “We have an average of 200 to 300 visitors a day … and we only had to turn four people away today,” said Michael Ditoro, chief operating officer for the Desert Care Network.
Those without proof or a test result will be referred to nearby resources. Local hospitals say a physical vaccination card or an electronic copy will suffice as “proof.” As for the COVID-19 test result, they say both PCR and antigen tests will be accepted. There is an exception to the new policy: end-of-life patient visitors will not have to provide documentation. “Some other extenuating circumstances … we will make the necessary arrangements for the protective team,” Dr. Kontaxis said. Valley Hospitals added that it is important to clarify that the new policy applies only to visitors. It is not intended to discourage patients from attending during an emergency or for other scheduled treatments. “It does not include patients if it is a patient scheduled for surgery, an emergency department patient, if it has an outpatient visit, it does not have to be fully vaccinated to come to the hospital. We are here to take care of you, ”said Ditoro. “Any patient who comes in, we will take care of him. That is our mission, ”said Dr. Kontaxis. Coronavirus / Local News / News / Featured Stories / Video
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