Erie's Saint Vincent Hospital is making temporary changes to its visitor policy in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The hospital is limiting the number of people who can visit a patient's room to one at a time.

It's all about preventing the spread of coronavirus and the flu.

They are encouraging people to use digital channels like Facetime and Snapchat as options for remotely connecting with loved ones in the hospital.

Information on AHN protocols, screening and training

  •  As of early February, AHN has implemented its Pandemic Response Policy. This includes screening protocols established by CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and DOH (Pennsylvania Department of Health), care protocols, instructional signage for patients, screening questions for physicians in our health record system, and outreach to our pre-hospital care providers. The details are below.
  • The enhanced screening processes have been implemented at all access points across the health network, including emergency departments, surgery centers, urgent care clinics, rehabilitation facilities, physician practices, home health services and internal  employee health offices, and Call Center, as well as through its 24/7 Nurse Line service. 
  • Consistent CDC recommended protocols have been implemented across AHN’s hospitals for the care of patients presenting to emergency departments with suspected respiratory infectious disease, including placement of the patient in negative pressure rooms and use of PPE (personal protective equipment) by all caregivers and visitors to the patient. Specimens are being collected according to recommended guidelines and sent to the CDC for COVID-19 testing.
  • Signage has been placed at the entrances to all emergency departments and in other AHN facilities asking patients to put on a protective mask upon arrival if they are experiencing flu like symptoms.
  • Modifications have been made to AHN’s electronic health record system (Epic) to incorporate screening questions based on current CDC guidelines at all points of intake for all patients.
  • AHN caregivers are being trained or retrained in the use of personal protective equipment and are being communicated to routinely, in writing and directly through their supervisors, about the importance of following the enhanced patient screening and care protocols.
  • AHN is working with both its employed pre-hospital care providers and local EMS service partners to promote the same enhanced patient screening protocols for home entries.  It’s also doing the same for thousands of independent but affiliated physician practices in the western Pennsylvania region through its Clinically Integrated Network.