TidalHealth temporarily pausing visitation, elective surgeries starting Dec. 27th

DELMARVA – TidalHealth is temporarily pausing visitation and overnight surgeries requiring an overnight stay.

Starting Monday, December 27th, patient visitation will be suspended at both TidalHealth Peninsula Regional and TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford. Also effective Monday, both hospitals will pause elective, non-emergency surgeries that require an overnight stay.

“A spike in COVID-19 cases, other seasonal illnesses and the many health needs of our communities, coupled with unprecedented workforce constraints have come together to create a perfect storm for healthcare providers,” said Dr. Sarah Arnett, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at TidalHealth. “We are taking these steps for the safety of our patients and our healthcare team.”

Although visitation will be open until Monday, TidalHealth is asking individuals to not visit patients at either hospital if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any illness.

A directive from the state of Maryland, a sharp increase in COVID-19 rates, high patient volumes, and demand for hospital beds has led to the decision to pause certain surgeries. While the state of Delaware has not issued a similar directive at this time, COVID-19 admissions and the strain caused by the census at TidalHealth Nanticoke made it necessary for the Seaford hospital to follow the same plan as Salisbury.

A clinical team is actively evaluating all non-emergency, non-life-threatening surgeries requiring an overnight stay, and those that can be postponed will be. Patients affected are being notified ahead of time by their surgeon’s office.

We’re told this pause will remain in place until Maryland’s COVID-19 hospitalizations fall below the 1,200 mark, per Governor Larry Hogan’s directive. The visitation policy will also be revisited, and exceptions to the current no-visitors policy will include end-of-life visitation and disabled people who need a support person, as well as Labor & Delivery/Mother-Baby patients, who may have one support person with them at all times as well as a doula who has been through the approval process. In addition:

• Emergency department patients may have a support person when they are placed in an ED room. Support people may not wait in the waiting room to help reduce the risk of transmission.
• Pediatric patients may have one support person with them throughout their stay.
• Outside vendors are not allowed inside the facilities unless required for medical care.
• For outpatient surgeries, one support person may remain with the patient only until they are taken back into surgery
• One support person is permitted during diagnostic imaging and testing
• Masks are required at all TidalHealth facilities; gaiters and bandanas are not permitted.