The conditions for visiting a loved one hospitalized in one of the Jolimont Group hospitals were already very strict until now (mandatory CST, limited number of visits, etc.). But from this Wednesday, with rare exceptions, visits are suspended on all sites. What prompted the group to make such a decision was the sharp increase in contamination linked to the Omicron variant. “Our fear is contamination of our most fragile patients via the outside“, explains Pierre Van Den Berghe, director of nursing care for the Nivelles and Tubize sites. The group hopes to be able to limit the duration of this measure to around two weeks.
Exceptions in some cases
Only patients in intensive care and at the end of life will be able to receive a visit from a loved one, provided that the latter is in possession of a valid Covid Safe Ticket and has made an appointment with the service. “The same goes for patients whose psychological state is brought down because they are anxious and suffer from loneliness. We also think of elderly couples, separated by the hospitalization of one. Obviously, we can foresee exceptions, which are programmed, organized, supervised, and always on the basis of a CST“, continues our interlocutor. Parents of children hospitalized in pediatrics will also have to present their CST and respect certain schedules. Co-parents of mothers who have just given birth will be the only ones able to access the maternity service, always provided with ‘a CST.
Video conferencing and psychological support
“We don’t like to restrict hospital visits. It is a source of anxiety and stress for both patients and their families., recognizes the director of nursing. This suspension must be as short as possible. And we caregivers must provide an alternative“. Contacts by videoconference will thus be provided between hospitalized patients and their relatives. They can also call on a psychological support service. As for patients who go to a consultation or emergency, they will also have to respect the news. rules. “We prefer that there is no accompaniment, Pierre Van Den Berghe insists once more. But if the person requires assistance, he can obviously be accompanied. But during the treatment, the accompanying person will nevertheless have to wait in the waiting room.“.
