COVID-19 Surge Brings Changes to Henry Ford Visitor Policies

DETROIT (November 11, 2020) – With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan hitting an all-time high of nearly 6,500 cases yesterday, Henry Ford Health System is instituting new temporary visitor restrictions at each of its hospitals.

While Henry Ford recognizes the importance of the support by loved ones during a patient's hospitalization or when receiving care, and because we recognize the importance of family engagement to promote healing, any decision to restrict visitation and limit family presence is difficult. However, the health and safety of our patients, our team members and others in our facilities is our primary concern.

The visitor policy is not the same at each facility. Each hospital has developed new policies based on the conditions in its service area, and the restrictions can be adjusted as conditions change. In areas where COVID-19 transmission is not as active, the hospital may maintain our most recent visitation policy, which is limited to one adult visitor per patient.

In areas where COVID-19 transmission and COVID-19 hospitalizations are high, such as at Henry Ford Macomb and Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, the restrictions are much more stringent.

These policies can be found on the Temporary Visitor Restrictions page at HenryFord.com, where there are links to the policies for each of our six hospitals.

Regardless of restrictions, Henry Ford Health System will still allow visitors who are:

• Acting as power of attorney or have court-appointed guardianship

• Assisting patients with physical or mental disabilities

• Providing transportation patients who undergoing surgery or emergency care

• Providing religious or spiritual services

Anyone who is allowed to visit will need to:

• Undergo COVID-19 screening before entry

• Wear a mask at all times

• Refrain from eating, drinking or sharing a patient’s restroom while visiting

Henry Ford will continue to connect hospitalized patients digitally using iPads and other devices with their friends and family who cannot visit. Friends and family may also send well messages directly to patients, which the patient may view in their room on a dedicated channel on Henry Ford’s television system. This can be done through the Well Wishes page to HenryFord.com.

Outpatient Restrictions

All patients and visitors entering a Henry Ford facility for an outpatient appointment or service will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature check. Everyone must wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. Patients may have one person with them who is needed to transport them into and around the facility, who is needed as part of establishing an ongoing treatment plan or in making clinical care decisions, or who meet one of the exception criteria for inpatient visitors. Pediatric patients may be accompanied by two parents/caregivers and spouses/partners may attend prenatal visits. Drivers for patients must remain in designated waiting areas and leave the facility as soon as possible.

About Henry Ford Health System

Founded in 1915 by Henry Ford himself, Henry Ford Health System is a non-profit, integrated health system committed to improving people’s lives through excellence in the science and art of healthcare and healing. Henry Ford Health System includes six hospitals including Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit; Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals; Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital; Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital; Henry Ford Allegiance in Jackson, MI; and Henry Ford Kingswood Hospital – an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

Henry Ford Health System also includes Henry Ford Medical Group: Henry Ford Physician Network; more than 250 outpatient facilities; Henry Ford Pharmacy; Henry Ford OptimEyes; and other healthcare services. Our not-for-profit health plan, Health Alliance Plan – HAP – provides health coverage for more than 540,000 people.

As one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, Henry Ford Health System trains more than 3,000 medical students, residents, and fellows annually in more than 50 accredited programs, and has trained nearly 40% of the state’s physicians. Our dedication to education and research is supported by nearly $100 million in annual grants from the National Institutes of Health and other public and private foundations.

Henry Ford Health System employs more than 33,000 people, including more than 1,600 physicians, more than 6,600 nurses and 5,000 allied health professionals. For more information, go to henryford.com.

Media Contacts:
John Gillespie / Jgilles3@hfhs.org / 314-708-9090

David Olejarz / David.Olejarz@hfhs.org / 313-303-0606

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