Wichita hospitals implement visitor restrictions as respiratory viruses surge
As respiratory viruses surge in the Wichita area and across the U.S., some hospitals have implemented new restrictions on visitors.
Wesley Healthcare currently allows two visitors per patient during certain hours, with some exceptions. Ascension Via Christi has also put in place new visitation policies recently.
Here’s what to know about visitor restrictions at Wichita hospitals, including policy exceptions and what times visitors can stop by.
Wesley Healthcare visitor policies
Wesley Healthcare officials announced Dec. 9 the hospital would implement additional visitor restrictions effective Dec. 12 due to increases in local spread of respiratory viruses.
Patients will be limited to two visitors at a time, except for special exceptions. All patients, visitors and staff must continue to wear masks.
Visitors are allowed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and those under the age of 12 will not be permitted to visit.
Exceptions to the policy include:
One parent or guardian overnight for pediatric, neonatal intensive care unit and neonatal special care unit patients
Two support people for patients in labor can remain overnight
Two family members for end-of-life situations
One patient advocate for pre- or post-surgery, people with disabilities and confused or anxious patients
“We’re continuing to see significant growth in the number of RSV [respiratory syncytial virus], influenza and Covid-19 infections in the community and among our healthcare workers,” Bill Voloch, CEO of Wesley Healthcare, said in the statement. “As a result, we have made the difficult decision to step up visitor restrictions slightly in an effort to help reduce the spread of these viruses.”
Wesley officials said in the statement they would continue to monitor and review visitor policies.
“If the situation changes and we see a decline in infection rates or hospitalizations, we will re-visit our visitation policy,” Voloch said. “However, for the time being, we appreciate the community’s support in helping us prevent the spread of these respiratory illnesses.”
Wesley Healthcare officials urged individuals to consider influenza vaccination in a Dec. 15 Facebook post as the U.S. sees elevated transmission rates.
“It is against hospital policy to report specific patient or ICU numbers,” Wesley Healthcare spokesperson Dave Stewart wrote in a statement to the Eagle. “While we have seen higher patient volumes over the past couple of months, we currently have sufficient bed capacity to meet community needs.”
Ascension Via Christi visitor policies
Ascension Via Christi officials told the Eagle influenza A, COVID-19 and RSV have led to an increase in patient numbers.
“We continue to see an increase in the number of patients coming to our Wichita ERs for care, mostly driven by Influenza A, COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory illnesses,” Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Sam Antonios said in a statement to the Eagle. “These viruses tend to trigger pneumonias and other illnesses so we are admitting patients as quickly as we discharge them. We continue to work as a team to respond to the healthcare needs of our community.”
Visitors to Ascension Via Christi must be 12 years or older at this time to help mitigate the spread of respiratory viruses.
In the hospital’s pediatric units, two family caregivers may remain with their child 24 hours per day, with one additional adult visitor allowed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Those visiting the pediatrics unit must use the entrance north of elevator C to access the (fifth floor) unit and sign in at the nurses station when entering and exiting.
No more than two visitors are allowed at a time for ICU patients, spokesperson Roz Hutchinson wrote in an email to the Eagle, but this restriction has already been in place.
