Given recent widespread flu activity in the community and around the region, Trinity Health is implementing several restrictions for visitors to its hospitals and nursing home.
These policies went in place effective today (1/14/2013) and will remain until further notice:
- Visitors to Trinity Hospital will be permitted to see their immediate family members only.
- Visitors should not come to the hospital if they are ill with upper-respiratory symptoms.
- People exhibiting such symptoms who must visit a patient in the hospital are required to wear a mask.
- Those visiting patients with influenza symptoms will be limited to only persons who are necessary to the patient's emotional well-being and care.
Further, due to the vulnerability of the residents at Trinity Homes to influenza, all visits to residents of this long term care facility are suspended unless absolutely necessary; children will not be permitted to visit during these restrictions.
Trinity Health is also reminding us all to practice good hand and cough hygiene:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- If you don't have a tissue, cover your cough or sneeze with your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hand.
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket and wash your hands.
- Consider wearing a facemask to protect others if your cough/sneezing continues.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
According to Trinity's Infectious Disease specialist, Casmir Nwaigwe, MD, Influenza is prevalent in our community and for some people it poses a significant threat.
"The most important step is to get a flu vaccination each year - it is not yet too late in the season to get a flu shot." Dr. Nwaigwe noted.
Finally, Dr. Nwaigwe advises those suffering from flu-like symptoms, to stay home until it passes to minimize risk of infecting others at school or work.
-
Gift Shops
The Trinity Hospital Gift Shop sponsored by the Trinity Auxiliary, has gifts, sundries, cards, flowers, and handmade items. It is located on the second floor near the north bank of elevators. Hours are: Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sunday 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. The Logo 2-Go shop, a logowear store is located at Trinity Hospital – St. Joseph’s.
-
Food, Gifts & Flowers
Food, Gifts & Flowers Patients often have diet restrictions ordered by their physician. Please check with nursing stations before delivering food gifts to patients. Patients in ICU are unable to receive flowers. Patients may receive flowers when transferred out of the unit. Balloons brought into Trinity Hospital, Trinity Hospital – St. Joseph’s and Trinity Homes must be made of mylar material. Latex balloons, which may cause allergic reactions among staff and patients, are prohibited. Our Gift Shops offer mylar balloons for sale.
Elevators, Restrooms, Waiting Areas Trinity Hospital North Lobby elevators provide access to all patient floors and services. The South Lobby elevators provide access to all areas, except the first and third floors. Public restrooms are adjacent to the south waiting areas on each patient floor. On the second floor they are north of the cafeteria and in the ICU waiting room. On the first floor they are west of the North Lobby elevators. Waiting rooms throughout the hospital are located on each floor near the elevators and adjacent to the Intensive Care Unit, Radiology, and Admissions desk. Trinity Hospital – St. Joseph’s west front lobby elevators and the south elevator provide access to most patient floors and services. Restrooms and waiting areas are near the elevators on all floors.
-
General Visiting Hours
Trinity Hospital and Trinity Hospital – St. Joseph’s visiting hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. If you need assistance during your visit, please call extension 5135. If a patient’s door is closed, please check at the nurses’ station before entering, however, special requirements apply depending on what area of the hospital you’re visiting (see below). Children are welcome but must have adult supervision at all times. Many of our patients and are susceptible to infection, so please report to the nurses’ station before visiting if you have signs of flu, cold or have had exposure to tuberculosis, chicken pox or a recent oral polio vaccine.
-
Family Birth Center
Visiting hours are 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Fathers, support people and siblings are welcome anytime. Cover gowns must be worn when baby is present. Siblings are welcome but must be supervised by someone other than the new mother. Children under 10 who are not siblings are not allowed.
-
Intensive Care Unit
Visitors can play an important role in helping patients recover, but we ask that the following policies be observed to ensure patients receive adequate rest and protection. Immediate family members only for a specified amount of time. Visit frequently for short periods of time. Visits of about 10 minutes are less tiring for the patient. Only two visitors are allowed at one time. Check with the charge nurse to see if children under age 12 will be allowed. Children must be supervised in the ICU waiting area.
-
Inpatient Mental Health
Visiting hours are Monday - Sunday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. plus Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 pm. & Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
-
Chemical Dependency Unit
Visiting hours are 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
-
Trinity Hospital
Monday to Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday - 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday - 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
-
Trinity Homes
Monday to Friday - 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
-
Cafeteria Hours
Trinity Hospital
6:15 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily
Trinity Hospital - St. Joseph’s
Monday thru Friday - 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday - 7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
-
Smoking Policy
As a healthcare organization, we have an obligation to provide a healthy environment for our patients, visitors and staff. Therefore, Trinity Health has established a tobacco-free policy affecting all of our buildings and grounds. Patients, visitors, employees, volunteers and medical staff are asked to refrain from using tobacco products on all Trinity-owned and leased property, including parking lots, green spaces, sidewalks and other outdoor areas.
-
Telephones
Telephones are provided in waiting areas and patient rooms. Local Calls: Dial 9, then the number you are calling. Long Distance: Dial 0 and a Trinity operator will help you access a long distance operator. Calling cards are available in the Trinity Hospital Gift Shop for $5 or $10.
-
Cellular Phones
The use of cordless (cellular) phones is only allowed in public waiting areas (skywalks, waiting rooms, and main entrance lobbies) of Trinity Hospitals, and at a distance of at least 3 feet from any medical equipment in these public waiting areas.
-
Questions, Problems or Complaints...
Trinity Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality patient care. We want to ensure that you receive courteous service at all times. If you have questions, problems or concerns about your hospital visit, please call the Nurse Manager or call Patient Relations at 857-2296 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. At all other times, call the operator (“0”) and ask to speak with the Nursing Supervisor.
