KDSN RADIO News
PRESS RELEASE: St. Anthony Updates Hospital Visitation Policy
For the past several weeks, the COVID-19 positivity rate in Carroll County has remained at less than 2% and the regional referral area has remained under 3%. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has remained at 0-5 over the same interval. The amount of fully COVID-19 vaccinated individuals in Carroll County continues to increase.
Given the marked improvement in the COVID-19 status in the region, St. Anthony Regional Hospital will transition back to normal visitation effective Monday, June 28, 2021. This includes all the inpatient areas of the hospital (including The Birth Place, Same Day Surgery, etc.) and outpatient clinical areas operated by St. Anthony (Emergency Department, Radiology, St. Anthony Clinic, etc.). Independent outpatient clinics on the St. Anthony Campus (VA Outpatient Clinic, Iowa Heart Center) may have different visitation guidelines based on their parent organizations.
The St. Anthony Nursing Home will remain with visitation restrictions in place, as they have separate guidance as a long-term care nursing facility.
Some important points about returning to normal visitation:
- In accordance with current CDC guidance, masks will still be required for individuals greater than 2 years of age in all public areas and patient care areas of the hospital.
- Visitors will be screened for symptoms or exposure at their destination.
- Regardless of presence / absence of the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals with infectious symptoms should not visit the hospital other than as a patient.
The transition to normal visitation is not just about our regional COVID-19 case counts improving. The assistance and presence of family and friends have always played an integral role in the healing process. While the presence of more visitors will be a change compared to the last 18 months, it also allows for return of the traditional healing experience for which St. Anthony Regional Hospital is known.
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St. Anthony Regional Hospital and Nursing Home was founded in 1905 by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Today, the organization is sponsored by St. Anthony Ministries and maintains a special relationship with its founders. St. Anthony has provided care to the communities in west central Iowa for more than 115 years and continues to fulfill its Franciscan heritage. Access to specialty physicians, the latest technology, and cost-effective care set St. Anthony apart in effectively treating each individual’s physical, spiritual and psychosocial needs. St. Anthony has been recognized for excellence in quality and safety by CMS and Consumer Reports. Learn more at stanthonyhospital.org.
