Gundersen restricts visitors at hospitals systemwide

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – Gundersen Health System has implemented visitor restrictions at the La Crosse campus and affiliate hospitals amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Effective today, March 12, two visitors are allowed per patient at one time. Visitors must be ages 12 and older, according to a news release.

In addition:

-We encourage designated visitors stay the same within a 24-hour period.
-Visitors will be asked if they are feeling well before given access to floors, or other screening questions deemed necessary.
-All visitors are required to wear a visiting badge available at the information desk from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-Some hospital units/ambulatory care areas may implement further restrictions at their discretion.
-Emergent and end-of-life situations will be handled on a case by case basis.

Visitor guidelines include:

-Most importantly, do not visit if you are sick.
-Keep the length of visits to a minimum.
-Before and after visiting a patient, wash your hands with soap and water for 30 seconds or rub your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for 15 seconds.
-Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then dispose of the tissue. Use your shirt sleeve, not your hands, if no tissue is available.
-Call patients with your well wishes instead of visiting in person. Your concern will be just as genuine—and welcome.

The visitor restrictions are temporary and may change as Gundersen monitors the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic, hospital officials said. “We also ask the public to help us limit the number of visitors at our clinics by staying home if you’re ill or by dropping off and picking up patients, rather than waiting inside the clinic.”

Gundersen offers information about COVID-19 on their website here.