On Wednesday, Mar. 18, the state Department of Health and Human Service announced 13 positive tests for COVID-19.

Consequently, in the midst of this pandemic, Nashua’s St. Joseph Hospital, 172 Kinsley St. and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, 8 Prospect St.,  have restricted visitors with few exceptions.

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, 2300 Southwood Dr., also announced a no-visitor policy.

Nationwide, hospitals and nursing facilities are limiting or regulating the number of visitors as well as steering people through specific entrances.

Dr. Alison Madden, Vice President of Medical Affairs for St. Joseph Hospital, clarified that of Mar. 18, the hospital had modified its visitation policy.

“St. Joe’s is not allowing visitors other than one parent for pediatric patients and one visitor for labor and delivery patients into the hospital,” she said. “Exceptions will also be made for compassionate care and end of life situations. In addition, access to the hospital will be limited to the front lobby atrium and the parking garage bridge.”

The “no-visitor” policy is especially stringent in the emergency department, however, in the event of an accident or bodily injury, St. Joe’s emergency department will receive patients.

“We are vigilant about screening ED patients to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19,”  Madden stated. “If you do not have severe symptoms, we recommend you call your primary care provider (PCP). If you don’t have a PCP, please call our new patient line.”

With the bow wave of coronavirus infections still to come, hospitals across the country are trying to prepare for a flood of critically ill patients who will strain their capacities.

Madden underlined that with the ongoing crisis, St. Joe’s is prepared for the anticipated volume in the ED.

“We do all need to work together to get through this challenging time,” she said. “We are doing absolutely everything we can to prepare and plan for an anticipated surge in the volume of patients we see. We ask the community to help us by only coming to the ED if they require services they can’t receive at their PCP’s office.”

On Southern New Hampshire Medical Center’s website regarding their COVID-19 visitor policy, it was stated, “Out of an abundance of caution for our patients and staff, all visitors are prohibited from entering Southern New Hampshire Medical Center with limited exceptions.”

Madden also addressed the issue of patients’ concern for care and the availability of beds at the hospital, emphasizing their “commitment to serving Greater Nashua and continuing to do so through this pandemic.”

“We do all need to work together to get through this challenging time,” she continued.  “We are doing absolutely everything we can to prepare and plan for an anticipated surge in the volume of patients we see. We ask the community to help us by only coming to the ED if they require services they can’t receive at their PCP’s office.”

As hospitals across the U.S. brace for a surge in patients, some government leaders worry the coronavirus pandemic could stretch hospitals to their breaking point while medical equipment shortages threaten to put doctors, nurses and patients at risk.

DH president and CEO Joanne M. Conroy, M.D., said in a statement, “Dartmouth-Hitchcock health facilities have already made strategic adjustments to best utilize our supplies but as this situation gains momentum, we will need to continue to address our depleting stock.”

On a brighter note, St. Joe’s received an anonymous donation of well-needed hospital masks early on Wednesday morning.

“We want to express our sincerest appreciation to the individual who anonymously donated these 3 boxes of N95 masks to the hospital this morning. As you may know, these masks, along with various other pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are in very short supply at St. Joe’s and at hospitals throughout the country. This equipment is critical as we continue to see more patients with suspected cases of COVID-19 to ensure the safety of our staff and patients,” at the post read.

Their Facebook page added, “Our patients, staff and community members are of the utmost importance during these very difficult and unprecedented times. Please understand that while we are open to patients, we must restrict access to the hospital to visitors to do our part in flattening the curve.”

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