BAMC temporarily adjusts visitation policies Published March 19, 2020 By Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- The safety of patients and visitors is a top priority at Brooke Army Medical Center. While we understand the importance of family support during hospitalization, the new coronavirus (COVID-19) requires us to temporarily adjust our visiting policy in order to keep our patients and visitors safe from infection. If you have any questions about the updated visiting policy, please ask a member of the patient’s healthcare team. Guidelines for Visitation Visiting Hours Adult Units: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pediatric Unit: 24 hours/day Critical Care Units: 24 hours/day as deemed appropriate by clinical staff Overview • Visitors must be 18+ years old (see below for potential exceptions). • Visitors will be screened prior to entering all patient areas. • IN ALL CASES, any visitor who is coughing, shows other signs of illness or is deemed clinically high risk will be asked to leave. • Restrictive policy also includes BAMC employees that have family members who are in the hospital. • The number of visitors per patient will be limited; additional restrictions may be imposed based on the patient’s clinical status. • Visitors may not remove any supplies or equipment from the medical center. Escalate to a supervisor immediately if noted. • Visitors are prohibited in rooms of Persons Under Investigation, or PUIs, or COVID-19 positive patients (unless at end of life). Inpatient Locations Adult Locations • One visitor per adult patient. • For patients who require a home caregiver to be trained, the caregiver must stay in the room for the duration of the visit. • Visitors are prohibited in adult Bone Marrow Transplant, or BMT, inpatient units. In special circumstances, based on the clinical team’s judgment, one visitor may be permitted. Pediatrics/NICU • Two visitors per patient are allowed in the inpatient and Neonatal Intensive Care Units; parents, guardians, or family care partners only. Labor & Delivery/Antepartum/Postpartum • Two visitors are permitted for obstetric patients; the two visitors should remain the same for the course of the admission. Outpatient Locations Emergency Departments (ED) • For adult patients, visitors are prohibited in the Emergency Department. In special circumstances, based on the clinical team’s judgment, one visitor may be permitted. • One visitor per pediatric patient is allowed in the pediatric ED; parent or caregiver only. Please speak with the patient’s clinical team if the patient requires additional assistance. Primary Care, Specialty Clinics, Diagnostic testing areas • One person is allowed to accompany each patient to an appointment, unless an aide or assistant is required.