CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VISITORS AND PATIENTS
NECH has updated its risk mitigation strategies effective from Wednesday 12 January 2022 in response to the increasing number of COVID cases in our community.
These strategies have been developed after careful consultation with clinicians, and close monitoring of industry best practice, and based on SA Health advice.
HOSPITAL
Inpatients
- NECH will continue to treat all patients – vaccinated or unvaccinated. Some practitioners have indicated that they may not wish to see unvaccinated patients. This decision will be at practitioner discretion and for practitioner discussion with patients.
- Patients having category 1 or 2 procedures need to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on arrival at the hospital.
- Maternity patients and their birthing partner need to undergo a RAT test on arrival at the hospital.
- There is a significant increase in the 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 surgery will minimise risks to patients and to staff taking care of them.
Outpatients
- Unvaccinated outpatients must not enter the building until the time of their appointment and gathering in waiting areas will not be permitted. All outpatients presenting for specialist consulting, must enter via the main entrance screening station when their appointment is due.
- Please note: unvaccinated visitors escorting outpatients will not be allowed in the hospital. One vaccinated visitor per outpatient is allowed in the hospital.
- Outpatients attending Benson Radiology can only enter via the Benson main entrance.
- Only vaccinated outpatients attending Clinical Labs will be allowed in the hospital.
- Everyone must wear a level 3 surgical mask (or higher) and change it every four hours.
- Post-natal clinic appointments with the midwife can only be attended by the mother. No partner is permitted.
- A RAT test will need to be performed on arrival, so please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment
Interstate/overseas patients
- NECH is unable to accept patients from overseas or states where there is community transmission of COVID unless they meet the criteria below AND the patient has been screened and approved by the NECH Director of Clinical Services.
- Vaccinated patients must have spent seven continuous days in SA and be able to provide a negative day 6 or 7 COVID PCR test result prior to admission.
- Unvaccinated patients need to have spent 14 continuous days in SA and be able to provide a negative COVID PCR test result within 48 hours prior to admission.
Visitors
- No visitors are permitted at this time.
- Requests for visitors outside of these guidelines will be considered on a case by case basis.
- Maternity patients can be accompanied by their fully vaccinated birthing partner who has had a negative RAT test.
Screening
- A concierge desk is located at the main hospital entrance where all visitors and contractors will be screened for evidence of vaccination status, temperature, QR check in and mask compliance.
- Anyone who has a fever/any COVID symptoms will be denied entry, including staff and patients.
AGED CARE
Visitors
- No visitors are permitted at this time.
- Residents will have access to tablets for video calls with family and friends.
- Family and friends of residents will be able to arrange window visits.
- Requests for visitors on compassionate grounds will be considered on a case by case basis.
Screening
- A concierge desk is located at the Campbell Aged Care reception and the main hospital entrance for Payneham wing residents.
- Anyone entering the facility will be screened for evidence of COVID-19 and flu vaccination status, temperature, QR check in and mask compliance. Anyone who has a fever/any COVID symptoms will be denied entry, including staff and patients.
