Health System Continues Ongoing Preparedness Efforts
West Reading, PA. – Effective immediately Tower Health has implemented heightened visitation restrictions in response to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation. These restrictions will be in effect at all Tower Health facilities until further notice.
- No visitors will be permitted on any hospital unit. Exceptions will be considered when:
o the patient is a minor (under 18),
o the patient has a disability,
o the patient is in the emergency department or psychiatric emergency department,
o the patient is in a maternity unit,
o the visitor is the patient’s communicator, or
o the patient is at end of life.
- In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Inpatient Pediatric Units, Pediatric Emergency Department, Maternity Units, and pediatric physician practices:
o Parents and guardians of pediatric patients are permitted.
o Doulas are considered part of the care team and are permitted.
- In the Emergency Department and Psychiatric Emergency Department:
o One designated support person is permitted.
o No switching of visitors back and forth.
- In physician practices, urgent care practices, and ambulatory surgery locations:
o One designated support person is permitted.
o No switching of visitors back and forth.
o Visitors must remain in the waiting area unless:
- the patient is a minor (under 18),
- the patient has a disability, or
- the visitor is the patient’s communicator.
The patient’s care team will make a decision on a case-by-case basis as to whether the visitor is clinically appropriate, including when the visitor in question is a family member supporting the patient by providing care. In the event there is a conflict about whether a visitor may enter, clinical judgment will prevail.
“As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to change we, like many other health systems in the region, are implementing additional restrictions to our visitation policies,” said Clint Matthews, Tower Health President and CEO. “These extreme precautions will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help keep our patients, team members, and communities safe and healthy. Our teams are continuing to work diligently to provide the highest quality care for our patients and we appreciate the ongoing support from our communities during this difficult time.”
All approved visitors must be screened in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH). Screening will occur at all location entry points.
Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing Transitional Sub-Acute Unit is following revised guidelines from CMS and the CDC:
- Anyone entering – or working on – the TSU will need to stop at one of the stations outside the unit to take their own temperature, including all employees, physicians, and Advanced Practice Providers.
- Prior to being able to enter the unit, they will also be required to log their name, department, time, temperature, as well as validate they are free of shortness of breath, cough, and/or sore throat.
- If their temperature is 100.4 degrees or greater, they must contact their direct supervisor and are not to enter the unit.
- This restriction is specific to TSU staff at RHRW and does not reflect any other locations
These restrictions are subject to change as new guidelines are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH).
Additional restrictions are in place for vendors. Until further notice, the only approved vendors will include:
- Vendors working on active projects
- Repair vendors
- IT vendors
- Equipment vendors
For additional information visit towerhealth.org/COVID19.
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