Area Hospitals Respond to COVID-19, Restrict Visitors

Northwest metro hospitals have changed some procedures in reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak.

North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale and Maple Grove Hospital, both operated by North Memorial Health, have changed their visitor policy.

Anyone at the hospital for COVID-19 testing or people who have already tested positive can only receive “essential” visitors, meaning legal guardians or people who must be present for healthcare decisions. No other visitors are allowed.

Patients who aren’t suspected of having COVID-19 can still get visits, but only from one person – and that person must be healthy. The hospital group did say that “compassionate exceptions will be made under special circumstances.”

Both hospitals have canceled all classes, tours, support groups and other community meetings through April 30. North Memorial Health notes that deadline could be extended if they deem it necessary. 

Additionally, gift shops  at both hospitals are closed. The espresso stations at North Memorial and the Robbinsdale Medical Building are closed, however the one at Maple Grove hospital remains open. Cafeterias at both hospitals are open, but seating has been adjusted for social distancing purposes.

Allina Health Makes Changes

Meanwhile Allina Health, which runs Abbott Northwestern-WestHealth hospital in Plymouth, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley, and numerous clinics throughout the northwest metro and beyond, has undertaken similar measures.

All visitors across the Allina system are banned beginning today, March 18, with a few exemptions. The Mother Baby Center in Minneapolis and other Allina birth centers allow patients to have one visitor per day.

At Allina clinics,  patients can have one person accompanying them for their visit, but clinic visits will be sharply curtailed. Allina is suspending all non-essential or urgent visits in their clinics starting today “until further notice.” Some appointments may be carried out with “virtual visits” if possible. Some non-urgent surgeries will also be canceled. If you’re scheduled for a surgery, expect your provider to contact you if it needs to be rescheduled.

As with North Memorial, Allina has also canceled all classes, support groups, tours, and other events for the public until further notice.

For more CCX News COVID-19 coverage, click here. 

Brandon Bankston, Reporting

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