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The CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System, in line with the latest guidelines issued by Gov. Greg Abbott and other state health officials related to COVID-19, is temporarily suspending visitors.

Effective Monday at noon, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System has implemented a NO VISITORS POLICY except those essential to patient care.

“This is difficult for all of us because we are a family at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas and we know how important family can be for our patients,” a hospital release said.

“However, we have to ensure that we are doing best by all of our patients and ensure everyone has a safe and healing environment during their stay with us.”

CHRISTUS Southeast Texas continues to screen everyone who comes into its facilities through designated entrances, including physicians and associates.

Essential visitors are visitors that are required to accompany the patients for vital care or communication needs, as outlined below:

• Emergency Department: None; except parents with children under 18, one visitor with patients unable to make decisions and for those in a critical situation (number of visitors will be determined by medical/nursing staff)
• Inpatient/Intensive Care Unit Visitors: No visitors except for those in a critical and end of life situation
• Outpatient Visitors: No visitors unless caregiver is necessary for transport or assistance
• Labor & Delivery Patients: One support person only (no changing out)
• NICU & Pediatric Patients: Two parents ONLY. Pediatric patient parents not allowed to leave room
• End of Life Care: Exception will be made by medical/nursing staff for clergy and family
• Patients Undergoing Outpatient Procedures or Testing with Sedation: No visitors.

Patients can be dropped off at designated entrances.  Patients will give contact information to hospital team of a support person to contact with patient status or that the patient is ready for discharge.

“We continue to follow the CDC’s guidelines at all times, as well as the guidance we receive from the Texas Health Department. We are firmly convinced that it is the diligence of our clinical caregivers and the excellent care they provide that will steer us through this pandemic,” said Paul Trevino, President and CEO of CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System.

“While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and preventing the spread of illness are not. We successfully practice infection prevention every day. We can assure you that your care and safety are a top priority.”