As TidalHealth works to balance patient safety and support and the desire to reunite loved ones with family members who are hospitalized, starting on Monday, October 18, the health system will be increasing visitation opportunities at both TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Maryland and TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, Delaware.
· One visitor, over the age of 18, per patient will be allowed.
· If the patient is confirmed to have COVID-19 or under investigation for COVID-19, visitation will not be permitted, however, end of life accommodations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
· Visitation hours will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
Visitors are required at all times to wear a facemask that covers both their nose and mouth. People who are unable to wear a face covering should not visit. Gaiters and bandanas will not be permitted. A mask will be provided for those visitors arriving with either of the two unapproved face coverings.
Upon entry, visitors will be screened for fever and other COVID-19 symptoms. Anyone who is feeling ill or feverish should not visit and will not be allowed to proceed to a patient floor if they are found to have a fever or symptoms.
Additionally, TidalHealth will provide each guest a visitation card that must be returned at the conclusion of their visit to the same reception desk from which it was obtained. Failure to do so will result in that patient not being allowed additional visitors until the card is returned.
Visitors will not be permitted to wait inside any TidalHealth lobby prior to visiting hours or while waiting for entry into a patient’s room if already occupied by a guest. Visitors are encouraged to wait in their vehicles and to coordinate visitation times with loved ones and friends to avoid an overlap of guests.
“We have worked very hard throughout the COVID-19 crisis to protect the health of our patients and staff. Our personal protective equipment, social distancing and deep cleaning efforts have helped. We know it has been very difficult for many of our patients to go through medical procedures and recovery without the limited support of a loved one,” said Dr. Sarah Arnett, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at TidalHealth. “While our bedside care team has gone above and beyond to provide extra support, we are happy to be able to expand visitation. Patients’ loved ones not only provide emotional support, but also can learn from our care team more about a patient’s condition and what they will need when they are discharged.”
At TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, visitors should enter via the Hanna Main Entrance (adjacent to the Emergency Department), located near the Visitor Parking Garage off Vine Street. At TidalHealth Nanticoke, visitors should use the main entrance or your designated entrance.  
One support person is allowed to accompany a patient in the Emergency Department (ED). If that patient is later admitted to a medical floor, the patient will be allowed a single visitor.
In the Labor and Delivery and Mother/Baby units, one support person and one approved and certified doula are allowed to accompany the birthing mother.