While continuing to follow the Level-1 Visitation Guidelines set by the Rhode Island Department of Health, South County Health revised its Hospital Visitor Policy as show below for:

• Hospital Inpatient Units (admitted patients)
• Outpatient Units & Physician Practices (Express Care, Diagnostic Imaging, & South County Medical Group practices)
• Cancer Center
• Women & Newborn Care Unit
• Emergency Department

South County Hospital General Guidelines

• Patients who have COVID-like symptoms or are COVID positive may not have visitors
• COVID prevention guidelines must be followed at all times
• Visiting hours are 7 am – 7 pm
• No one under the age of 18 may visit
• Admitted patients are allowed a maximum of two (2) visitors in the room
• Visitors must enter through the Main Lobby where they will check-in and undergo COVID screening
• Visitors are not permitted in areas of the hospital other than the room they are visiting
• Additional visitors must wait in their vehicles until the visitors occupying a patient’s room exit the hospital
• No one will be allowed to wait inside the hospital
• Visitors should communicate with each other to determine the sequence of visitors and length of visit

Comfort Measures Only (CMO) and End-of-Life patients

• Visitors under the age of 18 may accompany family members
• Visitors are permitted 24/7
• Visitors must enter through the Emergency Department between the hours of 7 pm and 7 am
• Visitors will be escorted to inpatient unit by security

Outpatient Services

• Outpatients may have a maximum of one (1) visitor to accompany them
• Outpatients will be screened over the phone (via Televox) prior to coming to the practices
• All visitors/patients will be screened by the office staff when checking-in for their appointment
• Visitors will also receive a temperature check
• Due to space constraints, patients/visitors may be directed to wait in an alternate waiting area to maintain social distancing guidelines

Hospital-based Services

• Patients/Visitors must enter through the Main Lobby where they will check-in and undergo COVID screening
• No one is allowed to wait in the hospital lobby, cafeteria, or other seating areas

Women & Newborn Care Unit

• No visitors are allowed in the Women & Newborn Care Unit
• Once a patient is admitted, she may designate up to two (2) support people to assist during labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum. Only those who are listed as designated support at the Patient Information Desk will be allowed entrance.
• Patients going from the Medical Office Building to the Women and Newborn Care Unit must exit the MOB and enter hospital from the Main Entrance to complete the COVID screening process.

Cancer Center

• Only one (1) visitor per patient will be permitted - NO exceptions
• Visitor must be 18 years of age or older
• Visitors must enter through the Main Lobby where they will check-in and undergo COVID screening
• If front desk staff have a concern about a visitor based on screening they will contact the Cancer Center Team Lead to speak with patient/visitor
• Visitors are not allowed in areas of the hospital other than the Cancer Center
• Chairs in the Cancer Center waiting room are arranged appropriately to allow distance between patients and will remain that way
• Visitors are not to loiter or congregate in the hospital lobby or other areas, including the cafeteria
• Patients/visitors must exit the hospital through the Main Lobby at the conclusion of the appointment

South County Hospital - Emergency Department

To support patients and families during a medical emergency, and to ensure that the exchange of information relative to the patient’s care is communicated effectively, South County Hospital will allow one (1) person to accompany a patient who is being treated in the Emergency Department under the guidelines outlined below.

• Patients who have COVID-like symptoms or are COVID positive may not have visitors
• No one under the age of 18 may visit
• At the discretion of the patient and ED staff, one (1) visitor designated by the patient will be permitted in the Emergency Department. This designation may not be changed for the duration of the patient’s stay in the ED.
• COVID prevention guidelines must be followed at all times - including wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose
• All visitors must check-in with Security upon entering
• Visitors will be screened for COVID-like symptoms before entry. If cleared, a Visitor badge will be issued that must be worn in plain view while inside the ED
• The visitor must remain in the patient’s room at all times while in the Emergency Department
• Visitors who do not follow the visitation guidelines or are disruptive will be escorted from the building by security
• Aggressive or violent behavior will be reported to the South Kingstown Police Department
• If a patient is admitted to South County Hospital, visitors must exit the Emergency Department and re-enter the hospital through the Main Lobby. Hospital visiting hours are 7 am - 7 pm

COVID Prevention Guidelines

The following COVID Prevention Guidelines MUST be followed at all times while inside South County Hospital

• A mask or cloth face covering that covers the nose and mouth must be worn at all times
• Social distancing (remain 6 feet from others) must be practiced at all times
• Hand sanitizer must be used when entering or exiting patient care areas

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. We want to make your experience as pleasant and safe as possible during these difficult times. Patient care and safety is our number one priority. Visitors are permitted at the discretion of staff and patients.