Bridgeport Hospital Loosens Patient Visitation Restrictions

From the Bridgeport Hospital:

February 25, 2021

Since mid-November, Bridgeport Hospital has strictly limited in-person patient visitation only to special circumstances for the safety and well-being of patients and staff as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For several weeks, across the state and our health system, we have seen a downward trend in hospital admissions, positivity rates and asymptomatic patients. Wastewater studies predict a further decrease in community cases and hospitalization. As always, we must balance safety with the provision of compassionate and patient-centered care.

After careful consideration and deliberate discussions with our clinical leadership, we have decided to move toward expanded visitation. This keeps many of the current restrictions in place, while loosening the guidelines for certain patient populations.

Effective Monday, March 1, patients in the following categories at the hospital’s will be allowed one (1) visitor per day. No visitor rotation or swapping will be permitted with the exception of end-of-life circumstances. (Please note that these categories are limited to COVID-negative patients only.)

• ICUs: one visitor from 2 - 6 pm, no swapping
• Inpatient units, for patients with a length of stay of eight days or more: one visitor, from 2 - 6 pm, no swapping
• Inpatient Psychiatry: no length-of-stay requirement, one visitor from 4 - 6 pm, no swapping
• Inpatients with planned surgery or procedure: one visitor the day prior to surgery
• Patients with same day surgery: one visitor or support person to accompany patient
• Emergency Department: one designated support person for duration of visit

Bridgeport Hospital will continue to monitor trends and new developments with regards to COVID-19 and adjust the visitation policies accordingly. Having the support of family members or care partners can enhance outcomes and the overall patient experience. These guidelines balance safety with the provision of compassionate and patient-centered care.

Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, is a non-profit 501-bed acute care hospital with two campuses (plus 42 beds licensed to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital). Its Bridgeport and Milford Campuses serve patients from across the region. The hospital admits more than 23,000 patients and provides nearly 350,000 outpatient treatments annually. The Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state and one of only 64 verified burn centers in the United States. Bridgeport Hospital is committed to providing safe, compassionate and cost efficient care to its patients and the community.

This press release was produced by the Bridgeport Hospital. The views expressed are the author's own.