OSF Healthcare No Visitor Policy and Digital Solutions

Photo courtesy to OSF Healthcare website 

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.- OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center implemented a strict no visitor policy in response to the Governor’s stay home order and has implemented new digital solutions to combat the Coronavirus.

The changes went into effect at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21 with a few exceptions.

One visitor will be allowed for pediatric patients, one visitor will be allowed for childbirth and exceptions will be made for end-of-life situations.

“We understand these restrictions may be difficult for some families, but it’s an important step to keep everyone, including our staff and patients, as safe and healthy as possible,” said Media Relations Coordinator Libby Allison.

Governor J.B. Pritzker’s stay home order excludes first responders, but the question remains how is OSF personnel handling this pandemic?

“Our Mission Partners are here at St. Joseph because they have been called to care for patients. The current situation is difficult for all, but especially our front line team. I think all front line health care workers across our nation are balancing their fear with their professional duty to serve. Our team is no different. It is their professionalism and dedication to patients that sustains them through this and other crises,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Paul Pedersen.

“OSF HealthCare has always taken a leadership role in preparing for and responding to the spread of infectious diseases. To better serve our patients and the community, OSF HealthCare has also launched digital solutions to help educate and triage people who are concerned about the Coronavirus,” said Allison.

A chatbot named Clare is available at osfhealthcare.org.

Clare will listen for symptoms of COVID-19 and ask relevant follow-up questions, such as travel history and whether a person is aware if they’ve been exposed to others with the illness.

Community members who have illness symptoms can also chat with Clare to get initial screening and referrals for their care without being exposed.

There is also a Nurse Hotline available and  is staffed by OSF registered nurses around the clock.

The COVID-19 Nurse Hotline is available by calling 833-OSF-KNOW (833-673-5669).