WICHITA, KS – Thanks to declining COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates across Kansas, Wesley Healthcare has announced it has lifted all visitor restrictions at Wesley Medical Center and Wesley Woodlawn hospital, as well as at Wesley’s freestanding emergency rooms in West Wichita and Derby. The change was effective at noon today.
“We’ve seen a significant drop in COVID-19 cases at Wesley hospitals over the past few weeks, which mirrors what hospitals are seeing across the state,” said Bill Voloch, president and CEO of Wesley Healthcare. “Currently, we have fewer than 10 COVID patients, so we’re confident we can resume normal visitation with minimal risk to visitors, patients and staff.”
While the hospitals are relaxing visitation restrictions for inpatient units and freestanding ERs, emergency departments in Wesley Medical Center and Wesley Woodlawn will maintain current restrictions, which were recently relaxed to allow one visitor-per-patient.
While space constraints at the two hospital-based ERs make it necessary to limit patients to a single visitor at this time, opening hospital facilities to the rest of the family will eliminate the need for extended family members to wait outside or in their cars as loved ones receive treatment. Family may wait in the hospitals’ cafeterias or other waiting areas, where they can be close at hand if needed.
“We’re excited our patients can now look forward to having broader support from family and friends as they receive treatment,” Voloch said. “We want everyone to know that Wesley facilities are safe, welcoming places to seek care.”
Knowing that COVID-19 remains present in our community and around the world, Wesley Healthcare still requires all patients, visitors, physicians and staff to be masked appropriately upon entering any Wesley facility. Officials also ask that people with cold/flu symptoms or pending COVID-19 tests do not enter the hospital to protect others from potential risk.