On Friday evening, March 13, Mercy Fort Smith put out a statement effective today, Saturday, March 14, regarding a screening policy and a notice of visitor restrictions. Mercy Hospital in Waldron has also adopted the same policy.
“While national attention around COVID-19 continues to accelerate, the healing ministry of Mercy remains focused on the safety and health of our patients and co-workers. Mercy leaders are working around the clock to keep our community safe.
Out of an abundance of caution, our next critical step in safeguarding our patients and co-workers is to begin enforcing restricted visitor access. Effective at 6 a.m. Saturday, March 14, Mercy Fort Smith will limit access to one visitor per Mercy patient. Two visitors will be allowed at a time in the pediatric unit. Visitors will be allowed in Mercy from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will be able to enter the hospital through the medical building or main entrance. Each patient’s one visitor must meet the following criteria:
* Visitors must be 15 years or older.
* Visitors must be fever-free, with a temperature below 100.4 degrees.
* Visitors must be cough-free.
Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis and include visitors for any patients nearing the end of life. Hospital services will not be impacted.
“The safety of our patients, visitors and co-workers is of the utmost importance,” said Ryan Gehrig, president of Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. “We realize this new policy may create an inconvenience for our visitors, but we must prevent unnecessary exposure to our patients and caregivers.”
The emergency room WILL remain OPEN during this time. If you have any questions prior to a visit at either location, you are encouraged to call 479-314-6000 or 479-637-4135.
