BEND, Ore. – Because the number of COVID-19 cases in the community continues to be high, St. Charles will no longer allow hospitalized COVID-19-positive patients to receive visitors under most circumstances.
To protect St. Charles’ patients and caregivers, door screeners and Guest Services teams will notify any visitors who intend to visit COVID-19-positive patients that they will not be allowed to visit.
St. Charles will once again encourage COVID-19-positive patients to use iPads for communication with their family members.
“This was a tough decision, but a necessary one to ensure the safety of our patients and caregivers,” said Dr. Jeff Absalon, the health system’s chief physician executive. “The risk of exposure continues to be high, so we must do everything we can to prevent further spread of the virus.”
About St. Charles Health System
St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,500 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.
