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WCCH Visitor Restrictions for COVID-19

09/20/20

Visitor Policy Snapshot:

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital wants to thank you for allowing us to care for your loved one. Due to the ongoing and rapidly changing situation occurring with COVID-19, we have changed our visitor policy to keep you and our caregivers safe.

Effective Monday, September 21, at 5 a.m., West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital's visitation policy and facility entry process is as follows:

  • Masks/face coverings are required and must remain on at all times.

  • Visitors must be over 18 unless the visitor is parent/legal guardian of a child.

  • Approved visitors should plan to stay in the facility and will not be allowed re-entry once they leave.

  • Visitors may not travel freely throughout the building and should remain in the patient’s room.

  • Visitors are strongly encouraged to perform hand hygiene upon facility entry and exit.

What are visiting hours?

Visiting hours are from 5 a.m. – 5 p.m. No visitor will be allowed entry into the facility after 5:00pm without approval.

What you need to know?

Screening:

All visitors coming into the hospital will go through a screening process. This includes having their temperature taken; and being screened for symptoms of COVID-19. If a visitor is symptomatic, they will NOT be allowed entry.

Note: Visitors must be screened for symptoms at facility entry/access points each day. 

Visitor Guidelines by Unit

  • COVID-19 Patients (positive & pending): Visitation is not allowed. Exceptions will be made for end of life care or extenuating circumstances and determined by medical/nursing staff.

  • Inpatients: Patients identify one (1) asymptomatic visitor per calendar day

  • ICU: ICU nursing station will be called prior to allowing visitor’s entry.

  • Emergency Room:  Patient identifies one (1) asymptomatic visitor for duration of the ED stay. Visitor may not wait in the waiting room.  Adult visitors will be asked to wait in their car or outside.

  • Surgery and outpatient invasive procedures: Patient identifies one (1) asymptomatic visitor. Pediatric patients (age 18 or younger) may have two (2) asymptomatic visitors.

  • Women’s Center:  Patient identifies one (1) asymptomatic visitor per calendar day.   

  • Clinics/Outpatients: Patients may have one (1) visitor if they need assistance with communication or need physical assistance for an appointment.  One parent can accompany a child under the age of 18.   This includes imaging, lab, draw station, physical medicine, wound healing center, non-stress tests, etc.

Additional recommendations:

  • Children visitors: No children under age 18.

  • Visitors over 65: We strongly recommend no visitors over the age of 65.

  • Visitors with Chronic Conditions: We strongly recommend people who have chronic health conditions such as lung, heart disease or an immunocompromised state not visit patients in our facility for their own protection.

Hospital Entrance Points

Entry points into the main hospital facility are limited, times are below may be subject to change.  

  • Stelly Lane Main Entrance, 5 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday - Friday

  • Emergency Department Entrance, 24/7

We continue to monitor the risk of COVID-19 and will adjust visitor restrictions as necessary.  We appreciate your help in keeping our patients and employees safe. This policy may be revised with or without notice to comply with state and federal mandates. 

Additional COVID-19 Information:

COVID-19 Symptoms

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

  • Fever (100.4 or greater)

  • Chills

  • Body aches

  • Repeated shaking with chills

  • Muscle pain

  • Headache

  • Sore throat

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Diarrhea

What to do if you're sick

If you develop fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, please call 211 or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211. This 24/7 hotline is available to answer your COVID-19 questions.

COVID-19 Testing

Patients requiring COVID-19 testing can utilize WCCH's drive through COVID-19 screening service. A Physician's Order is required. Patients must remain in their vehicle during specimen collection, unless additional services are needed.

Testing hours are Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Note: Orders should be faxed to 337-528-3331. Referrals should be phoned to 337-244-6356.

COVID-19 Testing Infographic

Check out this infographic to better understand the value and limitations of current COVID-19 testing options for effectively detecting and controlling the spread of this virus. 

For additional information regarding COVID-19, please visit cdc.gov or call the statewide 211 network by simply dialing 211 or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. WCCH will continue to assess its protocols and will make adjustments as necessary.