W-P Medical Center limits entry to ensure safety, provides guidelines

Air Force personnel prepare to screen patients in front of the Wright-Patterson Medical Center March 16. The 88th Medical Group staff began screening patients before they entered the medical center as part of the COVID-19 protocol instituted at the facility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ty Greenlees)

Air Force personnel prepare to screen patients in front of the Wright-Patterson Medical Center March 16. The 88th Medical Group staff began screening patients before they entered the medical center as part of the COVID-19 protocol instituted at the facility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ty Greenlees)

On March 17, the Wright-Patterson Medical Center limited entry to the medical facility to ensure the health and safety of patients, staff and visitors, designating only two entry points.

The two entry points allow staff the opportunity to institute precautionary screening for patients, staff and visitors before entering.

As new procedures have been implemented, patients should arrive early for their scheduled appointment. Patients and visitors are asked to enter through the Atrium or Clinic/MRI entrances, where a series of screening questions will be asked.

Staff, after completing screening requirements, enter through the designated “Employee Only” entrances, located in the back of the facility.

Visitation hours have also been implemented from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., along with more strict visitation guidelines.

Visitors should be healthy upon entering and prepared to remain primarily in the patient’s room for the duration of their visit.

Due to safety measure being taken, visitation is restricted to spouses, significant others, parents, legal guardians and children over the age of 14.

Patients will be allowed one visitor per day with the number of visits held to the minimum necessary.

Elderly and those with chronic health problems should consider whether visitation is necessary, due to the increased risk of having complications with COVID-19.

Currently, routine appointments and services such as pharmacy, lab, radiology testing, etc., will proceed as scheduled. However, certain other services may be reduced by the end of the week.

To assist with ongoing patient care, the medical center has implemented more virtual appointments. In the event scheduled appointments or elective surgeries need to be rescheduled, patients will be called directly.

As everyone work together through the COVID-19 issues, the Wright-Patterson Medical Center appreciates your patience and support.

For TRICARE Beneficiaries information, contact the following:

Nurse Advice Line: 1-800-874-2273 / 1-800-TRICARE

WPMC Appointment Line: 937-522-2778 / 937-522-APPT

For general public healthcare information, contact the following:

Ohio Department of Health: 1-833-427-5634 / 1-833-4ASKODH

Dayton & Montgomery County Public Health: 937-225-6217

Greene County Public Health: 937-225-3000

New visitation guidelines issued to protect those in care

The 88th Medical Group on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is taking up additional measures to protect those in their care. One of those measures includes implementing new visitation guidelines for those wishing to see family or loved ones who are treated at the Wright-Patterson Medical Center.

Current visiting hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 pm.

All members visiting must be healthy – Do not visit patients in the medical center if you feel sick or have any symptoms of a cold, flu, COVID-19 or any other kind of illness.

From now, one visitation is restricted to spouses, significant others, parents/legal guardians and children over the age of 14.

Patients will be allowed one visitor per day with the number of visits held to the minimum necessary.

Visitors should primarily remain in the room with the patient.

Emergency department, Surgical or Procedural patients may have on support person.

OB patients may have on partner and one birth support person.

Because of the increased risk of having complications with COVID-19, the elderly and those with chronic health problems should reconsider whether visiting patients in the hospital is necessary.

If you feel you have special circumstances surrounding visitation, please talk to one of the hospital supervisors.

After hours, contact the Emergency Department.

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