APRIL 20, 2021 UPDATE:

In follow-up to the Governor’s authorization that hospitals may begin to expand visitation by fully-vaccinated individuals, NMC has expanded its visitation policy. Effective Tuesday, 4/20/21, each inpatient on the Progressive Care Unit may have 1 fully-vaccinated visitor per day. Visitation hours for PCU will be 9:00am to 8:00pm. Visitors will enter through the Medical Office Building during those times in visitor hours when that entrance is open and through the ED entrance when it is not. Visitors will be screened at the entrance for symptoms and will need to show official proof of vaccination. Their visit will be logged.

ORIGINAL POST:

With the ‘go ahead’ from the Governor, Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) is joining other Vermont hospitals in beginning to expand visitation of patients by vaccinated individuals.

“Visitors are an important support to our patients,” said John Minadeo, MD, NMC’s Chief Medical Quality Officer. “We are pleased to be able to begin to welcome them back in a safe manner.”

In the coming weeks, NMC will expand its current limited visitation policy to allow for one fully vaccinated individual to visit each inpatient on the Progressive Care Unit each day. Visitation for patients coming for Emergency Department care, Urgent Care, Surgical Services, diagnostic testing, or appointments in the physician practices of Northwestern Medical Group will continue to be limited to a single support person (vaccinated or unvaccinated) who if she/he is essential to that patient’s care in that instance (for example, those patients with communication needs, cognitive impairment, or other disabilities). The exception to this is the continued allowance of one support person (vaccinated or unvaccinated) for patients with OB/GYN or Pediatric appointments. Visitation for patients who are at end of life will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis by the care team.

“We expect that individuals looking to visit patients under our new process will be required to show their proof of vaccination card,” said Dr. Minadeo. “We are working on our process to manage and track that as per the Governor’s guidance and once that is ready, we will post an announcement of the expansion of visitation on our website and in our social media.” To watch for this announcement, please monitor the Patients & Visitors page on the NMC website at: https://www.northwesternmedicalcenter.org/patients-visitors/for-patients/open-and-safe/

More than 33% of adults in Franklin County are currently vaccinated. Vaccination continues to be offered in numerous locations across our region by NMC, Vermont Department of Health, NOTCH, Franklin County Home Health, AmCare, local pharmacies, and others. For more information on vaccination, please visit the VDH website at: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine/getting-covid-19-vaccine