Sheila Kezy, OB tech at Franciscan Health Crown Point, demonstrates the use of a temporal thermometer on a coworker at the screening station at the hospital’s main entrance. New screening procedures for visitors, including checking for fever, began at the hospital on Thursday.
Credit Franciscan Health
CROWN POINT-Francisan Health Crown Point has enhanced visitor restrictions and screenings at its hospital with the continued spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and flu season.
The hospital at 1201 S. Main St., began enhanced screening of visitors on Thursday, March 12. Manned stations at three entrances will screen visitors and patients. Visitors who have certain conditions will not be allowed to visit including if....
· * The visitor or someone in their household has traveled to China, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Italy or been on a cruise ship or airplane in the last 14 days.
· * The visitor or someone in their household has had contact with a person with a confirmed or highly suspect case of COVID-19.
· * The visitor currently has signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection such as a cough.
· * The visitor has a temperature greater than 100.4.
Flu restrictions, which took effect at all area Franciscan Health hospitals in December, remain in effect. Hospitals include Dyer, Hammond, Michigan City and Munster.
Franciscan’s Northern Division does not currently have any positive cases of COVID-19. Patients who are symptomatic or have traveled or had other exposure to COVID-19 are encouraged to call before arriving at any Franciscan Health facility so that staff can take precautions to avoid the spread of infection.
Infection Control teams at Franciscan Health have implemented procedures and have protective barriers and isolation areas to protect staff and others from airborne exposure to COVID-19.
According to a Fransican news release, the organization's clinicians train year-round to respond to any potential outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Communications and Media Relations Specialist of Franciscan Health's - Northern Division, Blaszkiewicz Robert says the hospital's listed visitor restrictions are being adjusted to comply with the actions initiated by Indiana Governor Holcomb, announced Thursday afternoon.
Nursing facilities and hospitals should restrict and screen visitors. Any individual who is allowed to visit is restricted to the patient’s room. Visitors are not allowed if they present with any of this criteria:
Display signs or symptoms of illness, especially respiratory illness
Have traveled internationally or been in contact with someone with a respiratory illness in the past 14 days
Reside in a community with a known COVID-19 case
Those who are less than 18 years of age
