Loved ones are welcome again.

It’s been a hard year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our community has faced a number of new challenges as we have worked to protect each other’s health and well-being. Perhaps one of the biggest of those challenges has been separation from others – whether that means forgoing in-person gatherings, grabbing coffee with a friend or visiting a loved one who is receiving care at the hospital.

As we come closer than ever to putting the pandemic behind us, we are pleased to announce that our visitation restrictions are relaxing, and loved ones are welcome again. We know that it has been difficult to be apart from family and friends who are receiving care, and we want to thank you for your patience and understanding while restrictions were in place to protect the health of our patients and staff.

We are so pleased to welcome our patients’ loved ones back to the hospital to visit. Our updated visitor policy can be found below.

It’s been a hard year. Let’s make the next one better…together.

At Georgetown Community Hospital, our top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community. We continue to closely monitor the prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community and follow state and federal guidance as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients. As current projections continue to indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in our region, we have eased our visitor policy as follows:

• Inpatients will be limited to two (2) WELL visitors per day between 7am to 9 pm (overnight stays will be considered on a case by case basis).
• Obstestric patients may have two (2) WELL visitors while patient is laboring. One (1) WELL designated support person may stay in postpartum.
• Adult ER patients are limited to one (1) WELL visitor at a time. 
• Surgery patients are limited to one (1) WELL visitor in the hospital for the duration of the surgery. If social distancing cannot be maintained in the surgery waiting room, visitors may be asked to wait in their car once the surgery starts.
• WELL visitors must be 12 years of age or older. 
• Outpatients are limited to one (1) WELL visitor, waiting room space permitting.
• In certain patient situations such as, patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19, may not be permitted. 
• All patients and visitors over the age of five (5) years old will be required to wear a mask during their visit.

Signage is being posted around the facility notifying visitors and the community of these new restrictions and guidelines.

To prevent the spread of illness, visitors who are cleared are expected to do the following:

• Must remain in the patient’s room at all times.
• Must immediately leave the hospital once leaving the patient’s room. Visitors should not wander through hallways or spend time in common areas of the hospital, including lobbies, waiting areas, and vending areas. 
• Limit the number of personal items brought into the hospital.
• Must wash their hands or use hand sanitizer EVERY time entering and exiting a patient room.

Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation as we work to maintain a safe environment for our patients and team.   

As the situation regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, so does our hospital’s response. In addition to measures we’ve taken including restricting visitors, closing common areas, and adhering diligently to Kentucky Department for Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, Georgetown Community Hospital is taking more precautionary steps to help ensure the safety of our patients, employees and visitors.

• Limited Entry Points: Until otherwise notified, everyone entering the facility should come through the ER or main hospital entrance. All other entry points will be closed until further notice. The main hospital entrance will be open Monday through Friday from 6 am – 6 pm. The ER entrance will be open 24 hours a day.

We know that these increased precautions may seem concerning. We do not want to cause alarm – but we do want to send a clear message to our community that we are prepared, responding appropriately and are committed to protecting the well-being of our patients, visitors, employees and community.

These increased safety measures do NOT mean that you cannot access the hospital or your providers. Please seek medical care as needed. And if you are concerned you may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call your provider in advance of going to his or her office. Of course, if you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Georgetown Community Hospital values the trust our community places in us, and we appreciate your understanding as we shift our visitation policies during this time.