St. Joseph Medical Center adjusts inpatient visitor guidelines

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson tightened its visitors policy last week due to the recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in the state and evidence of community spread.

Providence Montana reverted to its no visitor policy for inpatients at Providence St. Patrick Hospital and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, beginning July 1. The health care company said the decision was made in collaboration with infection disease specialists. There are exceptions for the Family Maternity Center and end-of-life care.

“Providence Montana is committed to providing a safe, healing, patient-centered care environment,” the company stated in a press release. “While hospital visitation or accompanying a patient for a medical appointment is valuable, there are times when limitations must be placed on incoming visitors to reduce the potential spread, exposure and transmission of novel coronavirus, COVID-19.”

Providence’s outpatient visitor policy will remain the same. No visitors/friends/support people will be allowed to a patient’s outpatient procedure or appointment unless the patient is a minor child or has cognitive issues, developmental delays, or mobility issues.

More information available at: www.montana.providence.org.