Madisonville, KY. (July 26, 2021): Effective Wednesday, July 28 Baptist Health Madisonville is again restricting visitation for most patients in the hospital and medical group practices by allowing only essential caregivers to accompany patients for medical appointments or tests. There will be limited exceptions.

“Over the past few weeks, our area has again experienced a significant increase in the Covid positivity rate,” stated Christy Littrell, chief nursing officer at Baptist Health Madisonville.  “This change is for the safety of our patients and to protect the health of our staff so they can continue to provide care for those in need.”

“We apologize for the inconvenience to our patients and their loved ones, but we must keep patient and staff safety our top priority,” added Littrell. 

The Same Day Surgery entrance will also be closed and patients are asked to enter through the Emergency Department entrance to be screened at this time.  Those allowed to visit or accompany a patient will be screened prior to visitation and must wear a mask at all times in the facilities.

At the hospital, there will be limited exceptions, allowing one healthy visitor or companion between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm for:

• Surgical patients (one person may accompany patient)
• Inpatients (one visitor during visitation hours, must remain in patient room)
• Critical Care (One visitor per day may visit for a two hour period during visitation hours)
• Emergency Department (one person may accompany patient) No visitors allowed in Split Flow, waiting rooms or with Covid-19 positive or suspect patients on any unit. 
• Patients under age 18 (one parent or guardian)
• Women in labor (one birthing partner)
• NICU (both parents)
• Hospice or end-of-life patients (visitation on case-by-case basis at unit director discretion)
• Dependent patients who require assistance (one caregiver)

Visitors are not allowed on Behavioral Health except at the request of the psychiatrist.

Visitors are not allowed in the Merle M. Mahr Cancer Center, including infusion, radiation therapy and outpatient oncology clinics due to the risk of infection for oncology and autoimmune patients.  Exceptions for very limited cases must be pre-approved by the unit director.

No children under the age of 16 are allowed to visit at this time.

For Baptist Health Medical Group offices and outpatient facilities, a single essential caregiver will be allowed for:

• Child under age 18 (one parent)
• Dependent adult who requires assistance (one caregiver)
• OB visit (one additional support person)

For the latest information on Baptist Health Madisonville policies and response to COVID-19, visit BaptistHealth.com or follow Baptist Health Madisonville on social media.  To receive a Covid-19 vaccine, contact the Hopkins County Health Department.