Beginning Monday, May 3, changes to the requirements surrounding pre-procedural testing and outpatient/procedural visitors will be in effect at Nebraska Medicine.
Visitor policy update
Beginning Monday, May 3, one visitor/escort will be allowed to accompany a patient for their clinic visit or procedure. There are no changes to the inpatient visitor policy at this time.
“We recognize we are still in the midst of a pandemic and the safety of our patients and colleagues is of the utmost importance,” said Sue Nuss, PhD, chief nursing officer at Nebraska Medicine. “We discourage a visitor when it’s not in the patient’s best interest; however, if it will benefit the patient, we support it.”
The change was made as the number of vaccinated people in the community continues to increase.
Please note:
- Visitors must be screened at entry points and provided a “blue” sticker
- CDC guidelines of social distancing, masking, hand hygiene must be followed
- Visitors for procedural areas/clinic appointments do not need to be documented in One Chart
- Visitors are not allowed in procedural areas, only waiting areas
Considerations for procedural/clinic locations:
- Ensure waiting rooms are arranged to allow for distancing
- Create a plan for overflow should a waiting room become crowded
“Our infectious disease team and the visitor committee will monitor vaccination and transmission rates,” Dr. Nuss said. “We will adjust our visitor recommendations if the community rates change. We wanted to allow more flexibility, though, as the strict visitor limitation is causing provider and patient dissatisfaction.”
Read the visitor policy SBAR for more detailed information.
Pre-procedural testing changes
Beginning Monday, May 3, pre-procedural COVID-19 testing is no longer required for patients who meet the following criteria:
- Are fully vaccinated for COVID-19
- Are not experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19
- Have not had close contact with a person who is positive for COVID-19
- Are not expected/planned to be admitted as an inpatient
Proof of a patient’s vaccination status is required in one of two ways:
- Documented in One Chart based on state documentation
- Vaccination card shown to staff and then documented in One Chart and state database
Patients who do not meet this criteria should be tested prior to procedure and follow all current precautions. A provider can order COVID-19 testing at their discretion and based on perceived risk.
Please review the pre-procedural testing SBAR for more detailed information.