Ozarks Healthcare updates Visitor Restrictions to allow for More Visitors

Following a lower census of COVID-19 patients, Ozarks Healthcare is updating its visitor restrictions, effective immediately. Beginning Thursday, Oct. 14, each patient admitted to Ozarks Healthcare’s hospital will be permitted two visitors (18 years and older) per day during visiting hours. Visiting hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors will be screened at their point of entry and asked to wear a mask. Each visitor will be required to remain in the patient’s room at all times. This includes Emergency Department patients.

Patients visiting Ozarks Healthcare’s clinics or walk-in locations are also permitted two visitors to accompany them.

Exceptions to restrictions include:

• End-of-life care: The patient’s clinical team can make exceptions at their discretion.
• Labor and Delivery and Postpartum: Two support persons per patient are allowed for the duration of the delivery. One support person for labor and delivery patients is permitted during the patient’s stay. After delivery, the mother and baby may have visitors of immediate relation to the patient – meaning grandparents or siblings of the newborn per day during visiting hours (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).  
• Neuropsychiatric Unit: One visitor per patient will be permitted during the unit’s visiting hours. Visiting hours for neuropsychiatric patients will be from 3 to 4 p.m. daily.

Utilizing Ozarks Healthcare’s COVID-19 Testing, Walk-In Clinics, and Virtual/Telehealth Visits

To help reduce the potential spread of COVID-19, Ozarks Healthcare officials ask those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or suspect they could have the virus to call its COVID-19 Hotline before visiting an Ozarks Healthcare clinic to be seen or tested. Symptoms of the prevalent Delta variant of COVID-19 include headache, runny nose, and sore throat. This is not an all-inclusive list. Other symptoms include a mild cough or shortness of breath. If you think you may need to be tested for COVID-19, please call 417-505-7120, and hotline staff will assist you in scheduling a test and making sure you receive care.

With an increase in Emergency Department visits, those who find themselves experiencing health issues that are acute enough to seek immediate care but are not life threatening are encouraged to seek care at Ozarks Healthcare’s walk-in clinics. Ozarks Healthcare has two convenient walk-in locations in West Plains (181 Kentucky Ave. (Highland Park), Suite 100) and Mountain Grove (500 E. 19th St.). Both walk-in clinics have resources to treat common but not critical health problems, including minor fractures and sprains, infections (urinary tract, ear, etc.), sore throats, minor cuts, wounds, burns, and scrapes, muscle pains, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and more.

Both clinics are open daily. Ozarks Healthcare’s West Plains Walk-In Clinic is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the Mountain Grove Walk-In Clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Virtual and telehealth visits are also available for patients wanting to adhere to social distancing or needing to be seen while ill with COVID-19 at home. A telehealth visit is a high-quality audio visit allowing you to speak with your provider in a secure and personal way over the phone.

If you would like to inquire about a virtual visit, please contact your Ozarks Healthcare provider. To find a provider, visit https://www.ozarkshealthcare.com/find-a-doctor/.

For more information regarding Ozarks Healthcare’s COVID-19 resources and updates, please visit https://www.ozarkshealthcare.com/coronavirus-updates/.

Ozarks Healthcare is a system of care encompassing primary care and specialty clinics, along with complete rehabilitation, behavioral healthcare, and home health services. While the 114-bed acute care hospital cares for more than 5,400 admissions, the entire health system has more than 364,000 patient visits annually in South Central Missouri and Northern Arkansas. For more information about Ozarks Healthcare, visit www.OzarksHealthcare.com.