Laredo Medical Center Modifies Visitor Policy, Effective March 1

3/1/2021

Family support is an important part of the healing process at Laredo Medical Center, and effective Monday, March 1, 2021, the hospital will begin allowing at least one adult (18 and over) visitor, per patient per day.

The hospital keeps the safety of their patients and caregivers as the top priority. Many actions continue to be taken to enhance infection prevention and support social distancing.

To maintain a safe environment, all visitors will continue to be screened at all entry points and must clear a temperature check, wear a mask upon entry and throughout their entire visit (handkerchiefs and bandanas are not acceptable forms of masks), and practice social distancing across the facility.

“As COVID-19 cases have started to decrease in our community and our hospital, we are pleased to welcome, in a limited manner, loved ones to support their patients,” said Jorge Leal, FACHE, CEO of Laredo Medical Center. “These modifications are made with the safety of patients’, visitors’ and our healthcare team members’ top of mind. We look forward to collaborating with visitors in the healing process during their loved ones' hospital stay - and encourage community members to remain vigilant in observing infection prevention practices so cases continue to decline.”

Additional details about our updated visitor policy include:

• General hospital visiting hours are now from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
• Visitation is open to one adult (18 and over) per patient per day, and no children under age 18 will be permitted to visit patients;
• Pediatrics Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Labor & Delivery Unit and Mother/Baby Unit will allow two adult support persons per patient per day;
• Emergency Department (ED): Only one adult visitor (18 and older) is allowed per patient per visit. (Must comply with ER visitor policy, available at greeter station);
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU)-Non-COVID: Limited to one adult support person;
• Surgery (Prep and Hold): Limited to one adult support person;
• Skilled Nursing Unit (SNU): Visitation is restricted with only essential visitors allowed under special circumstances. Please call (956) 796-3566 or (956) 796-3568 for more information;
• Visitation for Outpatient Diagnostic and Laboratory Services (including LMC North & LMC South) remains restricted with the exception of one adult support person needed to accompany a minor or a patient that requires assistance;
• Visitors can continue to enter the hospital through Towers A and B, Main Entrance and ER;
• Visitors may utilize the cafeteria; social distancing and masking (while not eating) must be practiced;
• Visitation continues to be restricted in COVID units unless authorization is received for imminent death visitation from the City of Laredo Health Authority.

Caring for any individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 continues to be delivered in a restricted separate area away from other patients and with a dedicated team of providers who are not caring for other patients.

While there is a no-visitation policy in the COVID units, we recognize staying in touch with patients is important, and we can gladly coordinate virtual visits through the use of Zoom. Additionally, family members are encouraged to use FaceTime, WhatsApp or other social chat applications.

For more information about the hospital’s visitor policy, call the business development and marketing office at (956) 796-3223.

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