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WCCH Visitor Restrictions for COVID-19

01/20/21

Visitor Policy Snapshot:

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital recognizes the importance of visitors to the health and well-being of our patients. To support our patients in their recovery while maintaining the safety of our staff and visitors, the following general visitation guidelines are effective as of Wednesday, January 20:

  • All visitors will be screened upon entry into the facility.
  • All visitors must wear a mask/face covering at all times while in the facility.

COVID-19 Positive Patients or Patients under Investigation

All patients will have an individualized visitation plan.  Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 may be allowed a visitor if they meet the following criteria and the physician believes they are no longer contagious.  The physician will determine and document the severity of the patient at the time of admission.    

  • For Patients who are under investigation or that have had mild to moderate COVID-19 illness as determined by a physician: Visitation may be allowed after 10 days from the onset of symptoms as based on CDC guidance and the physician’s recommendation.
  • For patients that have had severe to critical COVID-19 illness as determined by a physician:  Visitation may be allowed after 20 days from the onset of symptoms as based on CDC guidance and the physician’s recommendation.
  • Visitors must report to the nurse’s station prior to entering patient’s room. 
  • Visitors must wear a mask/face covering and other personal protective equipment provided by nursing staff at all times while in the patient room.
  • Visitors may not travel freely throughout the building and must remain in the patient’s room.
  • Exceptions made for end of life situations or if continuous caregiver required in collaboration with the care team.
    • End of life visitation is limited to immediate family only (spouse, children, siblings, parents)
    • No more than two immediate family visitors at a time.
    • Children under 18 may be permitted to visit under end of life situations and must be accompanied by a non-symptomatic parent or guardian.
  • Medical-Surgical Inpatient Unit Visitation hours for COVID-19 patients or Patients Under Investigation is from 10 A.M. – 11 A.M. and 4 P.M. – 5 P.M. daily. 
  • ICU visitation hours are from 10 A.M. - 11 A.M. and 4 P.M. - 5 P.M. daily. The visitor will be allowed to visit for 15 minutes.  Visitors must schedule which visitation time they will be visiting in order to allow for social distancing in waiting rooms.
  • One visitor will be allowed at each designated time.

COVID-19 Visitor Consent Waiver:

A COVID-19 visitor consent waiver must be signed by each visitor of COVID-19 patients who have met the criteria above and been allowed visitation.  This waiver must be placed in the patient’s medical record.  The waiver will be provided at hospital entry points. If the visitor refuses to sign the waiver, visitation will not be allowed.

Non-COVID-19 Patients, Maternal, Medical-Surgical Unit, and ICU

  • Medical-Surgical Inpatient Unit visitation hours are from 5 A.M. - 5 P.M. daily.
  • Patients in most areas can have 1 visitor at a time.   
    • Visitors may be switched out, but only 1 visitor in a patient’s room at a time. Alternate visitors will be required to wait outside and not in hospital waiting rooms, lobby, or cafeteria.
  • Visitors must wear a mask/face covering at all times while in the facility, including the patient’s room
  • Visitors may not travel freely throughout the building, must remain in the patient's room
  • Overnight visitors must be approved by the house supervisor or unit manager
  • No overnight visitors allowed for ICU patients
  • Exceptions made for end of life situations, extenuating circumstances, or if continuous caregiver required in collaboration with the care team.
    • End of life visitation is limited to immediate family only (spouse, children, siblings, parents)
    • No more than two immediate family visitors at a time.
    • Children under 18 will be permitted under extenuating or end of life situations so long as they are accompanied by a non-symptomatic parent.

ICU Visitation for Non-COVID-19 patients

  • ICU visitation hours 10 A.M. - 11 A.M.  and 4 P.M. - 5 P.M. daily
  • 1 visitor at a time
  • Visitors must wear a mask/face covering at all times while in the facility, including the patient’s room
  • No overnight visitors allowed for ICU patients
  • Exceptions made for end of life situations, extenuating circumstances, or if continuous caregiver required in collaboration with the care team.
    • End of life visitation is limited to immediate family only (spouse, children, siblings, parents)
    • No more than two immediate family visitors at a time.
    • Children under 18 will be permitted under extenuating or end of life situations so long as they are accompanied by a non-symptomatic parent or guardian

Emergency Department

  • One designated visitor for all patients (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) at the discretion of the medical/nursing staff.
  • Must wear a mask/face covering at all times while in the facility including the patient room
  • Visitors may not travel freely throughout the building and must remain in the patient's room
  • If the patient cannot be placed in an ED room immediately upon arrival the visitor must wait outside the ED and will be notified when to join the patient in the ED.
  • Visitors may NOT wait in the ED waiting room
  • Exceptions made for end of life situations in collaboration with the care team.
  • Children under 18 will be permitted under extenuating or end of life situations so long as they are accompanied by a non-symptomatic parent or guardian

Same-Day Surgery, Cardiac Cath Lab, Radiology

  • One designated visitor. Pediatric patients under the age of 18 may have two visitors
  • Must wear a mask/face covering at all times
  • May wait in surgery/procedure waiting room during the procedure but must maintain 6-foot distance from others in waiting area and may not travel freely throughout the building

Physical Therapy, Wound Healing, APTC, Laboratory, Pre-Admissions, Cardiac Rehab, Pulmonary Function Lab

  • No visitors unless required to provide personal care or communication for the patient
    • A parent may accompany a child under the age of 18
  • Must wear a mask/face covering at all times while in the facility
  • May not travel freely throughout the building

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

For more information about COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility & Scheduling, please call 337-528-4712.

Limited Entry Points

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

  • Stelly Lane Main Entrance, 5 am - 5:30 pm, Monday – Friday

  • Emergency Department Entrance,  24/7

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.