IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL PATIENTS AND VISITORS:
GBMC HealthCare COVID-19 Modified Visitation Policy – Effective March 29, 2020

Purpose: Due to the first confirmed COVID-related death in Maryland in one of our catchment communities, coupled with the quickly escalating cases related to community spread, Greater Baltimore Medical Center has reevaluated the measures within the Modified Visitation Policy and have decided to enact a comprehensive, system-wide Modified Visitation Policy beginning at 3:00 p.m. on March 20, 2020. This approach is consistent with other health institutions across the country.

Implementation of Modified Visitation Policy

Applies to all patients within the hospital, regardless of unit or condition, who are seen at GBMC.

• In inpatient facilities and Emergency Department, NO VISITORS will be permitted except under specific circumstances, and by prior approval of the patient experience administrator or designee. Those specific circumstances include:
  • End-of-life care or end-of-life decision making. For these situations, two visitors will be permitted.
  • One parent or caregiver of a child in the neonatal intensive care unit.
  • One parent or caregiver of pediatric patients as long as they are not symptomatic.
  • One visitor inclusive of a professional support person or post-partum helper of a patient in the labor & delivery and post-partum units.
  • Person serving as surrogate decision maker for a patient
  • Person in an official governmental function
  • One visitor to accompany patients for hospital discharge.
  • One visitor for patients undergoing emergency surgery.
  • Visitors who have been asked by the patient’s care team to be a part of scheduled family training for patients with rehabilitation needs.
  • GBMC will NO LONGER allow any visitors who have traveled in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut in the past 14 days. There will be no exceptions.

• For all outpatient appointments:
  • One visitor will be permitted to accompany a patient to facilitate care or treatment such as an ambulatory visit, procedure or emergent surgery.
  • Visitors may be screened for flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough or sore throat, depending on the situation.
  • Family, friends and loved ones should use electronic devices and apps to keep in contact with patients whenever possible. (e.g. phones, FaceTime, Skype, etc.)

• As a reminder:
  • Wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water or use alcohol-based hand gel frequently.
  • Refrain from handshakes and hugs. Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue that is then discarded.