What is The Women’s Hospital Implementing?

• The Deaconess Health System has implemented a hotline. If you are having COVID-19 symptoms, please call 812-450-6555 to talk to a triage nurse.
• The Women’s Hospital has been working hand and hand with the Deaconess Health System to ensure that we have appropriate resources.
• The Women’s Hospital has created a COVID-19 unit for those that have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have moderate symptoms, to safely monitor pregnant patients.
• The Women’s Hospital has converted several patient rooms into negative airflow rooms. This allows the virus to be removed from the room.
• Visitation restrictions
  • Obstetrical patients are allowed one support person.
  • Visitors under the age of 18 are not allowed, include siblings.
  • Gynecological patients are allowed one support person
  • The designated support person must remain the same throughout the patient’s stay.
  • Support person will receive a short health screenings prior to entry.
  • We are keeping patients affected by COVID-19 away from patients who have not been affected by

Patients and Staff

• If a women comes in and has been having symptoms of COVID-19, our staff will be taking protective measures to protect themselves and our patients.
• Patients that have symptoms or have tested positive with COVID-19 will deliver in a negative airflow room. The patient will be required to wear a mask during delivery. Positive COVID-19 patients are required to wear a mask during delivery due to the fact when a patient is in labor, she is expelling air and when she does that, she aerosolizes.
• Patients that are suffering from COVID-19, are more likely to deliver via C-section to make the environment safer for patients and staff.
• 7 day quarantine guidelines are recommended for someone who is positive with COVID-19

• At this time, we do not know if the virus is transmitted through the placenta.
• The early data suggests that pregnant women are not at a higher risk to get COVID-19.

Breastfeeding

• Breastfeeding is encouraged.
• The CDC is recommending that baby can receive breastmilk. The CDC is recommending that baby is separate from mom, but mom can still pump and someone other than mom can give breastmilk to the baby.
• If patient comes in and is COVID-19 positive, is stable and wants to stay with the baby, we are allowing that in certain circumstances. However, there are specific steps that have to be taken to protect the baby. To reduce the risk there is appropriate shielding for mom, mask and handwashing.
• The CDC is advising a separation period between mom and baby. The separation time period is 7 days.

Things to Remember

• Social distance yourself, keep your hands away from your face and wash your hands
• No one is immune, which is important to remember. Continue to social distance and take this seriously.  

If you have any further questions, please go to deaconess.com/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov.
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