FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3/18/2020 2:00:00 PM PACIFIC
Updated: 3/18/2020 2:32:35 PM PACIFIC
For more information, contact Gretchen Youngren.

SAMARITAN HEALTHCARE RESTRICTS VISITORS ON ALL CAMPUSES

Gretchen Youngren Development & Communications
(509) 793-9647

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2020

Moses Lake –Samaritan Healthcare will be restricting visitors at Samaritan Hospital, Samaritan Clinic on Pioneer, or Samaritan Clinic on Patton—effective immediately and until further notice. By following CDC recommendations to reduce potential COVID-19 exposure in our hospital and clinics, we will continue to protect our patients, staff, and community.

“What we’ve learned is that COVID-19 is spread primarily by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and it can also spread when people touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth,” said Samaritan Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Andrea Carter. “Restricting visitors reduces the likelihood that an infected person without symptoms will enter the hospital or clinic and expose our patients and staff to the disease.”

The following exceptions to the visitor policy apply:

OB patients are allowed one support person (e.g., a partner, parent, or labor partner) ?
Surgical patients are allowed one support person (applies to both inpatient procedures as well as outpatient) ?
Diagnostic testing patients are allowed one caregiver to provide physical assistance, or one person to accompany a pediatric patient ?
Clinic pediatric patients may be accompanied by one parent or guardian ?
Clinic patients are allowed one support person or caregiver to assist with transport and care ?
Special circumstances will be reviewed by nursing
We continue to encourage people to take proper precautions against the spread of COVID19, including frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick. We also stress the importance of social distancing and ask our community members to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.

People who are exhibiting respiratory illness symptoms, including cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, and patients who have concerns that they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should call our 24-hour nurse hotline at 509-764-3331.

For more information on Samaritan’s response to COVID-19 as well as resources related to symptoms, treatment, and communication please visit the Health Alert link on Samaritan Healthcare’s website.