Northern Nevada Medical Center (NNMC) has announced new restrictions to further protect its patients and the community from COVID-19. Effective Wednesday, March 18 visitors will no longer be permitted into the facility and all elective procedures will be postponed, among other changes. These measures support NNMC with continuing emergency management preparedness while we anticipate a surge in COVID-19 cases in Washoe County.

Visitation Policy:

Visitation to all patients will be restricted with the following exceptions.

• One visitor will be allowed for comfort care/end-of-life patients.

• One visitor will be allowed to escort an emergency department patient to check-in. The visitor will not be able to leave the facility and re-enter, and will not be permitted access to the ER COVID-19 screening tent.

• Patients requiring labs and imaging at NNMC will be allowed to keep their appointment.

• All visitors and patients with a medical need will be screened before entering the facility.

Elective Cases Canceled:

Our medical directors and administrative leaders have determined it is best to cancel all elective procedures beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, through the next two weeks or possibly longer. Patients will be contacted by NNMC and their physician’s office to reschedule.

In addition, all emergent cases and those presented in the emergency department will be performed and prior assessed by a physician.

All patients will continue to be screened for COVID-19.

The Café at NNMC will be closed beginning Wednesday, March 18 to all vendors and visitors. A communication will be sent when the Café reopens.

Northern Nevada Medical Group will remain open to family medicine and specialty patients. If you have a question about your scheduled appointment, use the Contact Us form at NNMG.com.

Senior Bridges Outpatient Clinic will close on Wednesday, March 18 for two weeks. Patients and their caregivers have been contacted directly, and are being provided with alternative resources. The clinic will reopen at a later date. This does not include NNMC’s inpatient Senior Bridges program.

Renown Health previously announced that it is implementing a new visitation policy.

Renown is currently not allowing most visitation at its hospitals.

They're making exceptions for extenuating circumstances - with one visitor per patient allowed to visit through controlled entrances at both hospitals from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

Visitors will be asked screening questions before being allowed to enter the hospital, including questions about their travel history.

The new rules will also allow a single person to stay overnight with mothers in labor as well as NICU, pediatric and palliative care patients.

Visitors under 12 will not be allowed.

Renown has also suspended volunteer operations until further notice and canceled upcoming community events.

Officials with Carson Tahoe Health say they are also taking precautionary measures to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19.

They said the main entrance and emergency room entrance at the Regional Medical Center will be the only way to enter the facility. They said it will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Officials said before those hours, all public access is through the main emergency department entrance.

Officials said they are screening everyone for fever, cough, or signs of respiratory illness upon entry. If those signs are found, the patient will immediately be presented a mask, isolated and screened for COVID-19.

The number of visitors for patients in the women's and children's units will be restricted.

Officials aid Carson Tahoe Cancer Center classes and support groups are canceled through March 31 and the RN recruitment fair scheduled for March 20 is canceled.

Below is an updated statement: 

 

 

 

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