CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VISITORS AND PATIENTS
NECH has updated its requirements for patients, outpatients, and visitors effective from 23 November 2021 when the South Australian border reopens, with the key aim to keep patients, visitors and staff safe.
HOSPITAL
- All visitors and patients entering the hospital must be screened at a concierge desk at the front entrance which includes checks on vaccination, temperature, QR code check in, and mask compliance.
- Anyone showing signs of fever or other symptoms will not be permitted to enter.
- Surgical masks must be worn by everyone in the hospital and must be changed every four hours.
- From December 8, 2021, all patients attending NECH for elective surgery, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to receive and produce a negative COVID-19 test in the preceding 72 hours prior to admission.
- Maternity patients and their vaccinated birthing partner are required to receive and produce a negative COVID-19 test weekly from 36 weeks gestation. Unvaccinated birthing partners are excluded from entry.
- There is a significant increase in risk of illness or death for patients undergoing elective surgery and birthing who test positive to COVID. Surgery and birthing are also associated with aerosol generating procedures which can put our healthcare workers at an increased risk of catching the disease themselves.
- Ensuring patients do not have COVID prior to elective surgery will minimise risks to patients and to staff taking care of them.
Outpatients
- Unvaccinated outpatients (including those attending consulting suites, Benson Radiology, Clinical Labs) must not enter the building until the time of their appointment.
- Gathering in waiting areas will not be permitted.
- All outpatients presenting for specialist consulting, Benson Radiology and Clinical Labs must enter via the main entrance screening station when their appointment is due.
Visitors
- Visitors will be limited to two per day in hospital and carers limited to one.
- One visitor per patient at a time.
- All visitors and carers including birthing partners must be vaccinated and must wear a surgical mask, irrespective of age, and show proof of vaccination at the screening station. This includes children under 12.
- Visiting hours 11am to 8pm.
AGED CARE
- All visitors and carers must be screened at a concierge desk at the entrance to Campbell Aged Care which includes checks on vaccination, temperature, QR code check in and mask compliance.
- They must also have had a flu vaccination.
- Surgical masks must be worn and changed every four hours.
- Anyone showing signs of fever or other symptoms will not be permitted to enter.
- Visiting hours 11am to 7pm.
