SVMC Expands Visitation

BENNINGTON, VT—March 18, 2022—Beginning today, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), has expanded its visitor policy to one visitor at a time—as opposed to one visitor per day, as had been indicated most recently—for many areas. The change follows a substantial decrease in the prevalence of COVID-19 in our region.  

Visiting hours remain 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily.

Everyone—including patients, staff, and visitors—is required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Those who do not have a medical-grade surgical mask will be provided one. All masks must be worn over the mouth and nose for the entire duration of the visit. Those who do not comply will be asked to leave the premises.

The numbers of visitors allowed varies by department and the age and condition of the patient:

• One visitor is allowed at a time to adult inpatients, including those using the Emergency Department, East and West Wings, and the ICU.
• Adult outpatients—including all patients visiting practices in the Medical Office Building, the Operating Room, Endoscopy, Medical Infusion, Imaging, and Lab—may have one visitor with them. This includes prenatal patients.
• Pediatric patients—both inpatients and outpatients, regardless of area—may have up to two visitors at a time.
• Adult patients birthing with Women’s and Children’s Services may have a birth partner plus one visitor at a time.
• Patients at the end of life may have four visitors, who must remain in the patient room at all times.
• The health system recommends minors visit the hospital or practices only to receive care, if possible. All minors visiting inpatient units need prior approval from the clinical team. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Everyone—patients, caregivers, and visitors—is required to stop at the check-in desk located at entrances in the hospital. All non-staff persons entering an SVMC building will be given a sticker marked with the date and department they are visiting and are asked to keep the sticker visible and remain in the area of service for the entire time they are in the building.

• Those entering the Medical Office Building will be screened once they reach the practice they are visiting.
• Visitors with symptoms of COVID-19 are not permitted.
• Everyone is expected to sanitize their hands upon entry and exit from the building, units, and patient rooms.

A quick reference is available at https://svhealthcare.org/visitorguidance. 

About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It is the recipient of the American Hospital Association’s 2020 Rural Hospital Leadership Award. SVMC ranked fourth nationwide for the value of care it provides by the Lown Institute Hospital Index and is a five-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. It has also received the highest marks possible from the Leapfrog Group. 

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.