Dec. 2, 2021
MARSHFIELD – Marshfield Clinic Health System has tightened visitor restrictions at its flagship hospital, Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield and surrounding regional clinics, as a result of the surge in COVID-19 cases. The Marshfield hospital currently has nearly 60 COVID-19 patients occupying its COVID-19 unit and Intensive Care Unit, which is near max capacity. COVID-19 patients account for 20% of the hospital's currently admitted patients.
Effective Saturday, Dec. 4, visitors are prohibited from entering Marshfield Medical Center and clinics (medical offices) in Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids and Stratford until further notice. These temporary visitor restrictions apply to visitation for hospitals and for clinic appointments.
Visitor restrictions may be put in place at the Health System's other hospitals and clinics throughout central, northern and western Wisconsin in the coming days as it continues to review the latest surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Patients and their families should visit
www.marshfieldclinic.org prior to traveling to find out the visitor policy in place for each of the clinics and hospitals.
This step is being undertaken to keep patients, their loved ones, and staff safe by limiting the potential to spread COVID-19 within the hospitals and clinics facilities. Marathon, Wood and Portage counties are seeing critically high COVID-19 disease activity, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
There are certain exceptions and situations where adult visitors may be allowed, including:
- Pediatric (including NICU, Emergency, Urgent Care, Walk-in and Surgical) patients: 2 adult care partners.
- You will be asked to designate two healthy adults for the pediatric patient.
- Pediatric patients who are COVID-19 positive or have COVID-like symptoms or test pending will only be allowed one care partner.
- OB patients: 1 care partner.
- Adult oncology patient: 1 care partner.
- Patients where a caregiver is essential to their care (such as a patient with altered mental status, developmental delay or physical disability requiring assistance with medical care or activities of daily living).
- Patients who have power of attorney or court-appointed guardians.
- Patients who have the potential for a sudden status change:
- Examples may include surgery or trauma.
- Visitors may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
- Patients who are at end of life.
- These patients and families will be supported on a case-by-case basis with the goal of creating an emotional support network, while keeping patients and visitors safe.
The Health System understands and respects the importance of the relationships patients have with their loved ones. As such, it encourages them to stay connected virtually via Skype, FaceTime or phone.
