UVM Medical Center Updates Visitation Policy in Response to COVID-19

(BURLINGTON, VT) – The University of Vermont Medical Center is temporarily suspending visitation, restricting entrances, and screening everyone who enters hospital facilities and clinics in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a commitment to the care and safety of our patients and our staff, visitation is being restricted as of 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. The change comes as our workforce continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are following protocols focused on stopping the spread of the disease, as outlined below.

“The situation continues to evolve, but protecting our patients and staff remains our top priority. Each day we are taking the necessary steps to provide safe, high quality health care and to reduce the spread of COVID-19, with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Vermont Department of Health,” said UVM Medical Center President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Leffler, MD. “We understand these changes are unsettling for some, however they are critical given the seriousness of this pandemic.”

UVM Medical Center’s Updated Visitation Policy – Effective Wednesday, March 18 at 9:00 p.m.

Until further notice, no visitors will be allowed, with limited exceptions to individuals who are screened, including:

Inpatient

• One support person on Labor and Delivery.
• One parent or support person for pediatric patients.
• One visitor/support person escorting a patient undergoing same-day surgery or ambulatory care.
• One consistent support person may be permitted in other rare circumstances such as for a patient with a cognitive impairment or disability who requires assistance to access care.
• Visitation for patients in end of life care will be managed by their care team.

Outpatient

• Visitors are not permitted to accompany patients to outpatient visits unless the patient requires support and assistance to access their appointment.
• Pediatric patients may have one parent or support person for outpatient visits if they are properly screened.

What To Expect

Family members and loved ones play a key role in supporting and comforting those who are in our care. However, until further notice, entrances to all UVM Medical Center buildings and clinics will be restricted. Everyone entering must be screened with a series of questions and clean their hands. Anyone with symptoms compatible to COVID-19, including fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, or identified “at risk” will not be allowed to visit.

All visitors to UVM Medical Center facilities must enter through these designated screening points:

• Main Entrance Level 2, Main Entrance Level 3 or the McClure Lobby on the main campus on Colchester Avenue in Burlington, VT.
• Through a single entry point and screening location at 1 South Prospect and Fanny Allen Campus.

Additionally, only ADA service animals will be permitted. All other animals, including previously approved therapy dogs/support animals, are not allowed.

These temporary changes will be reviewed in the coming weeks to determine when routine operations can resume.

Unless it is an emergency, patients should stay at home and contact their doctor by phone or through MyChart if they have COVID-19 symptoms,: fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath. Our providers will work with patients to determine if testing or medical treatment is needed.

More information about COVID-19 is available at:

• UVM Medical Center Information Page
• Vermont Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

About the University of Vermont Medical Center
The University of Vermont Medical Center  is a 447-bed tertiary care regional referral center providing advanced care to approximately 1 million residents in Vermont and northern New York.  Together with our partners at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, we are Vermont’s academic medical center. The University of Vermont Medical Center also serves as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. 

The University of Vermont Medical Center is a member of The University of Vermont Health Network, an integrated system established to deliver high quality academic medicine to every community we serve.

For more information visit www.UVMHealth.org/MedCenter or visit our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.UVMHealth.org/MedCenterSocialMedia.

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