At this Time, One Healthy Visitor Per Patient Per Day Will be Permitted
Effective immediately, visitor restrictions have been relaxed to allow one healthy visitor per patient per day. This policy goes into effect at McLaren Bay Region's main campus located at 1900 Columbus Ave., Bay City, as well as at McLaren Bay Special Care located at 3250 E. Midland Rd., Suite 1, Bay City.
There are a few important exceptions to note:
- Pediatric patients are allowed two visitors.
- Family BirthPlace patients in active labor are allowed a birth coach in addition to one visitor.
- Pastoral care visits are permitted and do not count towards the allowed number of visitors.
All approved necessary visitors are required to be screened for COVID symptoms prior to entering the building.
All visitors will be required to adhere to the established PPE policy and must wear a mask at all times, including while in the patient’s room. Visitors who are observed not wearing a mask, may be escorted out of the hospital.
Additional visitors may be allowed if they meet one of the following criteria, and approval is granted by administration including:
- A visitor who is a family member, here to see a patient during imminent death, under direct care of the facility
- Additional exigent circumstances (to be determined on a case-by-case basis)
For surgical, procedural, and other outpatient areas:
- For visitors who are waiting to drive a patient home after receiving care including sedation, surgical, or cardiovascular procedures:
- One visitor may be allowed if they pass the COVID screening.
- A visitor who fails the screening will be asked to wait in their vehicle until the patient procedure is complete.
- The visitor who is asked to wait outside, will be asked to provide a phone number for the physician to call after the patient’s procedure.
- The phone number should be given to the patient to share with their health care physician at the time of the department check-in.
- The patient will be escorted to the exit to be picked up by their visitor.
Any patient who has tested positive for COVID, or who is on droplet precautions awaiting test results, will not be able to have visitors unless they meet exigent circumstances, and have been approved by administration.
“We understand the important role visitors play in the healing process for our patients," said Darrell Lentz, President and CEO at McLaren Bay Region. "As COVID ebbs and flows throughout our community, we are constantly reassessing our policies. Our goal is to always do what's best for our patients, and provide them with the safest healing environment possible. We appreciate our community for understanding as we have made adjustments to our policy throughout the pandemic.”
As the visitation policy changes, McLaren Bay Region will continue to keep patients and the community informed through their website, mclaren.org/BayRegion and well as on their social media platforms.