August 6, 2021
West Columbia, S.C. – In response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Midlands, Lexington Medical Center is updating its hospital visitation policies. The new policies go into effect Monday, August 9, 2021 and are as follows:
Emergency Department/Urgent Care Centers
One visitor is allowed to accompany a non-COVID-19 patient being treated in the Emergency Department or Urgent Care centers. If the lobby reaches capacity, however, visitors will not be able to stay with patients. Visitors must stay in the patient’s exam room at all times and may help settle the patient into his or her inpatient room if admitted. These individuals should use the direct entrance to the Emergency department or urgent care center upon arrival.
Inpatients (Non-COVID-19 Patients)
One visitor is allowed to visit an inpatient in a non-COVID-19 unit between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. seven days per week. Visitation is limited to one visitor per patient per day. Depending on a patient’s tower location, individuals should use the Main Entrance or the South Entrance of the hospital. Visitors must wear masks at all times, including when visiting patients in their room.
Obstetrics
A spouse or support person is permitted while the patient is in labor or has just delivered a baby. Use the Main Entrance of the hospital. One visitor, not including the spouse or support person, is allowed to visit the Mother/Baby unit between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. seven days per week. Visitation is limited to one visitor per patient per day.
Special Care Nursery
The birth parent and her support person are allowed in the Special Care Nursery. They must both have the infant identification bracelet. Enter through the Main Entrance of the hospital.
Surgical/Procedural Areas (Inpatient and Outpatient)
One visitor is permitted in the specified lobby during a patient’s surgery or procedure at the main campus and all other Lexington Medical Center facilities. This visitor may help settle the patient into his or her room if admitted to the hospital. Individuals should use the Main Entrance upon arrival.
Lexington Medical Center is grateful for all the support it’s received as it works to keep patients, staff and community members healthy and safe.
Lexington Medical Center is a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. It anchors a health care network that includes five community medical centers and employs a staff of more than 8,000 health care professionals. The hospital is ranked best hospital in the Columbia Metro and #2 hospital in South Carolina by U.S. News & World Report and was named one of the “Best Places to Work in South Carolina” by SC Biz News, in partnership with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group. Lexington Medical Cancer Center is an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence and has a clinical research and education affiliation with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. The network includes a cardiovascular program recognized by the American College of Cardiology as South Carolina's first HeartCARE Center. The network also has an occupational health center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, an Alzheimer's care center and more than 70 physician practices. Lexington Medical Center operates one of the busiest Emergency departments in South Carolina, treating nearly 100,000 patients each year. The hospital delivers more than 4,000 babies each year and performs more than 25,000 surgeries. Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year residencies.
