The birth of a baby is an important event for all members of a family. The visitation guidelines are developed to provide time for new parents to interact and bond with their newborn with as much privacy as they wish, to allow sufficient time for necessary nursing care, and to provide necessary access to the patient and newborn in an emergency. Please share these guidelines with family and friends who may wish to visit.

To our Birthing Center Families,

The John Marchese Birthing Center would like assure families that we are maintaining the highest level of health and safety for our patients and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes are consistent with the CDC guidelines.

Listed are our current policies to reduce the risk of infection:

• If you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone who is ill please notify the HARMONY office at 828-268-8970, and you will receive direction on the next steps.
• Please notify the Birthing Center (828-262-4210) prior to arrival if you are coming in labor, and you will be asked screening questions regarding the coronavirus or other flu-like illness.
• If you are at risk, or a person being tested, you will not be able to be accompanied by another person because that person then automatically becomes someone at risk.
• Absolutely no one under the age of 18 is allowed in the Birthing Center.
• All support persons will be screened when entering the facility.
• Anyone in the testing process or who has symptoms will be asked to wear a mask at all times.
• If you have adhered to the “Stay at Home” ruling and are symptom free, we will allow ONE symptom free support person during the hospital stay.
• The support person must stay the entire hospital stay. If for some reason the support person has to leave the facility, they will not be granted entrance back into the hospital.
• The support person will be provided free meals for the length of stay.
• No postpartum visitor will be allowed into the Birthing Center except for the ONE support person. The support person cannot change and must remain the same person for the length of stay.
• Patients may have to change rooms after their labor and delivery in order to accommodate isolation policies and safety needs of the patients.
• Patients and their support person will not be able to leave the Birthing Center Unit until the time of discharge.
• Please come prepared with childcare options for other children at home and bring the car seat so it will be here for infant discharge.

The Birthing Center staff is screened each day before entering the facility, and has practiced social distancing since February. We are doing everything possible to reduce the risk of asymptomatic spread. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have become strict to best protect our patients and families! We understand that transportation, childcare for other children, and animals may be issues, but please understand we need our providers, staff, babies, and other patients to have as little exposure as possible to illness. We understand that little is going as planned during this time! We strongly encourage social distancing and only going out when necessary!

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to adjust our policies to make the John Marchese Birthing Center a safe place for all during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Childbirth

Cesarean Section

Newborn Nursery

Level 2 Newborn Nursery

Infant/Mother Co-Rooms

Labor Tubs (when available)

The birth of a baby is an important event for all members of a family. The visitation guidelines are developed to provide time for new parents to interact and bond with their newborn with as much privacy as they wish, to allow sufficient time for necessary nursing care, and to provide necessary access to the patient and newborn in an emergency. Please share these guidelines with family and friends who may wish to visit.

A visitor must know the patient’s name and room number in order to visit a patient in the Birthing Center. 

• During labor, until the pushing stage, up to three people at a time may visit at any time, with the approval of the patient. If a patient desires privacy and limited visitation, her requests will be respected and enforced.
• During the pushing and delivery stages, only one support person of the patient’s choice may remain in the room. Support people must be age 13 or older. Siblings may remain in the room with adult supervision. (The adult should be someone other than the patient’s primary support person.)
• During the first hour after birth, only the father or significant other may visit. This is to allow time for new parents to take in and bond with their new baby. For the remainder of the recovery period, up to three support people may visit, as during labor and delivery.
• Only one support person may be present in the operating room during a Cesarean Section. This is necessary to protect the sterile field and ensure that all necessary care providers will have room to work in an emergency.

Emergencies may arise at any time. For this reason, hallways must be kept clear to allow needed staff quick access to mothers and babies. Visitors may not wait in the hallway outside the patient’s room or the C-section room. They may wait in the waiting area near the elevators, or by the nursery windows. Staff members will be happy to convey information to visitors in the waiting area at the request of the patient.

• During the period after recovery until discharge, family and friends may visit with the parent’s approval. Visitors must wash their hands thoroughly before touching the mother or baby.
• Quiet Time: After delivery, the hours of 2-4 p.m. are designated as a rest time for new parents. No visitors are permitted unless specifically requested by the new mother.
• Newborn babies do not have a fully developed immune system, and may become quite sick from routine infections. For this reason, visits from children under 13 who are not siblings are discouraged. Anyone who has a cold or other possibly contagious illness or who has recently been exposed to a contagious illness should not visit.

Visitors may be asked to step out of the room at any time if doctors and nurses need to provide care to the patient, or if a medical emergency arises.

• Moving Forward With Diabetes Program Referral
• Outpatient Diabetes Services Referral
• Pain-Center-referral-form
• Request For Cardiovascular Lab Services
• Sleep Center Requisition
• Wound Care Referral Form

• Hospital Imaging Requests
  • Request For MRI Services
  • Request For Nuclear Medicine Services
  • Request For Outpatient CT Services
  • Request For PET CT Services
• OPIC Imaging Requests
  • Request For Breast Imaging Services
  • Request For Outpatient Radiology Services
• CT Lung Screening Referral Form
• Request For Cardiovascular Diagnostic Ultrasound Services

Acute Care

Birthing Center

Cancer Services

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

Cardiovascular Lab & Services

Emergency Services

ICU

Laboratory Services

Occupational Therapy

Orthopedics

Pain Clinic

Physical Therapy

Radiology & Imaging Services 

Respiratory Therapy

Sleep Center

Speech Therapy

Surgical Services

• Cardiology Center New Patient Information And Forms

• Cardiology Center Referral Form
• Cardiovascular Lab Requisition

• DEXA Patient Prep Information
• Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Patient Prep Information
• Ultrasound Patient Prep Information

• Request For Breast Imaging Services
• Request For Outpatient Radiology Services

• Laboratory And Pathology Test Menu And Specimen Collection Guide
• Request For Outpatient Laboratory Services

Bone Densitometry

Digital Mammography: To schedule a mammogram, call (828) 268-9037

Laboratory Collection

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy  (Physician referral required)