News Release
Contact: Frank Adamo
Director of Communications
Northern Arizona Healthcare
Phone: 928-214-3930
[email protected]
FOR RELEASE
August 9, 2021
Northern Arizona Healthcare announces changes to visitation policy
Protecting the patients, families and communities we have the honor to serve is our number one priority at Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH). As our region, state and country experience a significant growth in new COVID-19 cases, and as new variants to the virus emerge, we are charged to reconsider our existing Visitation Guidelines and Policy, as well as to shift our related practices accordingly. NAH follows Coconino County, Yavapai County and Arizona Public Health and Human Services COVID statuses very closely. The ability to visit in-person or the number of visitors allowed is determined by public reports of community spread of COVID-19, at levels of Low, Moderate, Substantial and High. At current time, our community spread is High and warrants significant restrictions of in-person visitation. This is necessary to ensure the highest quality care, within the safest environment for patients and staff. The guidelines will go into effect on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
“Our commitment to our communities is to meet their needs in times of crisis as well as wellness,” said Josh Tinkle, Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Chief Operating Officer. “Right now, we must shift our practices to protect against the spread of illness while we care for those most in need. Every decision we make is rooted in living our NAH Mission: Improving health, Healing people.”
To protect our community, our patients, and our teams, Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) has established the following visitation restrictions during High transmission times:
- No general visitation except for special circumstances or End of Life*
- Labor and Delivery – 1 healthy support person is allowed *
- Pediatric – Both parents or two guardians are allowed*
- Outpatient Surgery – One visitor one time immediately after surgery and must leave the facility following the visit*
- Ambulatory and Outpatient – no visitation except for special circumstances*
*Visitors are required to wear a mask at all times regardless of vaccine status.
The support of family and friends is a vital part of the healing process for our patients. During current state of visitor restrictions, NAH continues to have Virtual Visitation available and encourages family and friends to connect virtually during the patient’s stay. To schedule a virtual visit, families and friends should reach out to the patient’s care team.
As we all work to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and also exercise safe practices, we want to stress the critical importance of people receiving a vaccination if they have not already done so. For information about Vaccine Clinics in Coconino County, please call (928) 679-7300. For information about Vaccine Clinics in Yavapai County, please call (928) 442-5103. You can also dial 2-1-1 within Arizona, or dial (877) 211-8661 from anywhere, for COVID-19 information and resources as well.
Please continue to visit www.NAHealth.com for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 and for complete and current information on our Visitation Guidelines and Policy. The website remains a resource for our communities, with links to the latest information from the Center for Disease control (CDC), as well as local Department of Health and other resources.
NAH is inclusive of Flagstaff Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center – Sedona Campus, Northern Arizona Healthcare – Camp Verde Campus, Northern Arizona Healthcare – Village of Oak Creek, Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group, the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare, Northern Arizona Healthcare Orthopedic Surgery Center, EntireCare Rehab & Sports Medicine, Weight Management Clinic, Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group – Cardiology, Guardian Air and Guardian Medical Transport. We also provide comprehensive imaging, laboratory and pharmacy services throughout the region.
For more information on NAH programs and services, visit NAHealth.com. “Like” NAH on Facebook by searching Northern Arizona Healthcare Flagstaff and Northern Arizona Healthcare Verde Valley. Follow NAH on Instagram by searching Northern Arizona Healthcare.
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