Due to latest spread of the virus, UAMS limits the visitations

Little Rock, Arkansas – The latest surge in Covid-19 numbers forced UAMS officials to put in place visit limitations starting Monday.

According to the latest UAMS announcement, patients will be allowed only one visitor per day starting Monday. As of now, they were allowed to have multiple visitors as long as there was only one visitor at a time in the room.

UAMS CEO Dr. Steppe Mette informed the public that they are not happy with their latest decision, but they have to everything in their power to protect the staff and the patients. The decision is a result of the latest surge in numbers and the fact that one patient was infected with Covid-19 by a visitor few days ago.

The “No Patient Left Alone Act” that took effect last March allows the patients to have at least one visitor every single day no matter if the patient is in emergency department, during a hospital stay, in a healthcare professional’s office, or hospice facility.

However, Dr. Mette added that the hospital is also using a digital visitation.

The recent surge in Covid-19 cases also forced several other hospitals to change their visiting policy and the UAMS is not alone in this. What is similar for all hospitals with a new policy is the fact that all visitors are required a health screening and will have to wear a mask while indoors.

Earlier this month, the Little Rock VA hospital also announced that patients in the hospital are only allowed to have one visitor at a time. They also added that only scheduled appointments for veterans or other essential business would be allowed in the hospitals.

Baxter Regional Medical Center completely banned visiting patients in the emergency department, but quickly changed their decision after realizing they are violating the “No Patient Left Alone Act”. Their decision came in place in late June, much earlier compared to all the other hospitals across Arkansas.