The Dallas County Hospital and Perry’s three long-term care facilities — the Perry Lutheran Homes, Rowley Masonic Community and Pearl Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center — have imposed restrictions on visitor access to their facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DCH issued the following statement Wednesday afternoon, outlining the hospital’s rules for visitors:
To protect our patients, families and health care workers during the global outbreak of COVID-19, the following visitor restrictions are being implemented. Effective immediately, the following temporary visitor restrictions will be implemented.
Only primary caregivers are allowed. Primary caregivers include, but are not limited to:
• Parents/stepparents
• Spouse/significant other
• Other defined caregiver
Primary caregivers:
• 16 years of age and older (including sibling caregivers)
• Siblings are not allowed unless 16 years of age and defined caregiver
• Always remain in patient room as appropriate
• Limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas
• Free from illness such as fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting or runny nose
• Exceptions may be made in certain situations and can be discussed with patient care teams.
Visitor restrictions are temporary and subject to change as necessary.
All caregivers are required to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand foam/gel upon entering and exiting patient’s room.
We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult for you. While we are committed to providing a family-centered care environment, right now restricting visitors is in the best interest of our patients and staff.
Walkers and Recreational visitors:
Due to the increased risk during this time, we will be canceling all Wellness Education classes and restrict walkers throughout Dallas County Hospital until these visitor restrictions are lifted.
Thank you for your cooperation in this effort. For up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit the Polk County Public Health Department website.
Perry’s long-term care facilities have issued similar rules, which will remain in effect indefinitely.
Melissa Gannon, administrator of the Perry Lutheran Homes, said the rules took effect Wednesday at the Spring Valley campus and will take effect Thursday at the Willis Avenue campus.
“Our major concern is internally, how do we keep our residents inside our building safe?” Gannon said. The Perry Lutheran Homes serves about 110 residents at its two campuses and employs about 120 full-time and part-time staff members.
Laurie Buckhahn, administrator of the Pearl Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, said similar restrictions are now in place at the facility, which houses 25 residents and employs 40 staff members.
Greg Greenwood, administrator of the Rowley Masonic Community, confirmed similar rules at the facility. Greenwood declined to state how many residents reside at the Rowley or how many staff members are employed.
The World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the spread of the COVID-19 a pandemic Wednesday. The disease is now present in at least 114 countries and has killed more than 4,000 people worldwide.
