LAFAYETTE, INDIANA -- Franciscan Health is taking steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

The Health Service released a statement this evening saying they are changing policies surrounding clinics in Lafayette, Crawfordsville, and Rensselaer.

You can read the statement below:

"With the continued spread of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus and flu season, Franciscan Health will enhance visitor restrictions and screenings at its three medical campuses in Lafayette, Crawfordsville and Rensselaer, effective 8 a.m., Monday, March 16.

The guidelines are in collaboration with Tippecanoe County Health Department and other hospitals in the surrounding areas. For the safety of patients, visitors and staff, the restrictions include:

Franciscan Health Lafayette East (1701 South Creasy Lane)

• Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
• The Visitor Entrance will be closed. The following entrances will remain open as points of access: North Entrance, Emergency Department (South Entrance), 3900 Building Entrance and Center for Women & Children Entrance. All other entrances will be locked down including the Visitor Entrance. Below are the hours each entrance will be available for visitor access:
• North Entrance:
• Visitor Access: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Emergency Department (South Entrance) OPEN 24/7:
• Visitor Access: Daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Center for Women & Children Entrance OPEN 24/7:
• Visitor Access: Daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Limited to two parents / guardians
• All visitors will be screened at the entrances. If a visitor has a self-reporting fever of 100.4ºF or higher or has other symptoms (cough, sore throat, stuffy/runny nose, chills, nausea or vomiting), they will not be allowed to enter the hospital to visit.
• Any COVID-19 positive inpatient will not be allowed visitors, except the parent of a child who is a patient with COVID-19.
• All hospital clinical staff will be screened at their respective units and departments at the beginning of their shifts.
• Visitors arriving with children younger than 18, cannot enter the hospital with the child.
• For our Franciscan Health Cancer Center patients, we are limiting to no more than one visitor for outpatient visits, lab or infusion visits. If another visitor is requested for oncology patients, the physician must authorize. Visitors who are not authorized to attend oncology outpatient visits are kindly asked to await off premises and return at the end of appointment.
• Visitors who pass the health screenings will receive and are required to wear a temporary badge during their time in the hospital.

Franciscan Health Lafayette Central (1501 Hartford Street)

• Franciscan Health Lafayette Central is no longer offers hospital services. All potential patients should go to Franciscan Health Lafayette East located at 1701 South Creasy Lane.

Franciscan Health Crawfordsville (1710 Lafayette Road)

• Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
• Emergency Department will be the only point of access. All other entrances will be locked down.
• All visitors will be screened at the entrance. If a visitor has a self-reporting fever of 100.4ºF or higher or has other symptoms (cough, sore throat, stuffy/runny nose, chills, nausea or vomiting), they will not be allowed to enter the hospital to visit.
• Any COVID-19 positive inpatient will not be allowed visitors, except the parent of a child who is a patient with COVID-19.
• All hospital clinical staff will be screened at their respective units and departments at the beginning of their shifts.
• Visitors arriving with children younger than 18, cannot enter the hospital with the child.
• For our Marie Canine Cancer Center patients, we are limiting to no more than one visitor for outpatient visits, lab or infusion visits. If another visitor is requested for oncology patients, the physician must authorize. Visitors who are not authorized to attend oncology outpatient visits are kindly asked to await off premises and return at the end of appointment.
• Visitors who pass the health screenings will receive and are required to wear a temporary badge during their time in the hospital.

Franciscan Health Rensselaer (1104 East Grace Street)

• Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
• Emergency Department and Visitor Entrance will be the points of access. All other entrances will be locked down.
• All visitors will be screened at the entrances. If a visitor has a self-reporting fever of 100.4ºF or higher or has other symptoms (cough, sore throat, stuffy/runny nose, chills, nausea or vomiting), they will not be allowed to enter the hospital to visit.
• Any COVID-19 positive inpatient will not be allowed visitors, except the parent of a child who is a patient with COVID-19.
• All hospital clinical staff will be screened at their respective units and departments at the beginning of their shifts.
• Visitors arriving with children younger than 18, cannot enter the hospital with the child.
• For our Franciscan Health Cancer Center patients, we are limiting to no more than one visitor for outpatient visits, lab or infusion visits. If another visitor is requested for oncology patients, the physician must authorize. Visitors who are not authorized to attend oncology outpatient visits are kindly asked to await off premises and return at the end of appointment.
• Visitors who pass the health screenings will receive and are required to wear a temporary badge during their time in the hospital.

Franciscan Outpatient Services, Community Education, Wellness Classes and Support Groups

• Franciscan Health Outpatient Departments will continue to see patients. All patients will be screened for symptoms and travel at the beginning of their appointment. If a patient answers yes to any of the questions, they will be asked to perform hand hygiene and put on a mask. The patient will be talked to by a clinician and may be referred to their primary care provider.
  • The following outpatient services will continue as normally scheduled:
    • Lactation (Breastfeeding) Consultation at Franciscan Education Center in Lafayette, Franciscan Health Crawfordsville and Franciscan Health Rensselaer
    • Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Phase 2 appointments in Lafayette, Crawfordsville and Rensselaer and Phase 3 appointments in Rensselaer
    • Next Step Appointments at Lafayette Family YMCA
    • LAMP Classes at Lafayette Family YMCA
    • Matter of Balance Classes at the Healthy Living Center located in the Lafayette Heart Institute building
    • Diabetes Prevention Program at the Healthy Living Center located in the Lafayette Heart Institute building, Franciscan Health Crawfordsville and Franciscan Health Rensselaer
    • Healthy Living Center appointments at the Healthy Living Center located in the Lafayette Heart Institute building
    • Diabetes Education/Class appointments at the Healthy Living Center located in the Lafayette Heart Institute building, Franciscan Health Crawfordsville and Franciscan Health Rensselaer
• All Franciscan Health support groups are cancelled until further notice.
  • Cancer Support Group will continue virtually
• All Expectant Parent Hospital Tours are cancelled until further notice.
• Franciscan Health Lunch & Learn Series in Lafayette, Crawfordsville and Rensselaer are canceled until further notice.
• Franciscan Health will not be participating in employer-sponsored or community-sponsored health fairs until further notice.
• All classroom education is canceled until further notice.
  • Class participants will be granted a refund for any fees paid in advance. Refunds need to be requested by the participant by calling the Franciscan entity that organized the class. Failure to request a refund by phone may result in no refund being given.
• The following classes are canceled until further notice:
  • Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Phase 3 appointments in Lafayette and Crawfordsville
  • Preparation for Childbirth Class
  • Breastfeeding Class
  • Newborn Care Class
  • Infant CPR & First Aid Class
  • New Baby Class for Siblings
  • Infant Massage Class
  • Babysitting Class
  • Stop the Bleed Class
  • Car Seat Checks
  • Medicare 101 Class
  • Community Basic Life Support (CPR) Class
  • CATCH Up Program at the YMCA
  • Senior Promise Classes and Events
• Community groups and non-profit boards using Franciscan Health facilities or the Franciscan Education Center will be asked to postpone, cancel or make their meetings or classes virtual until after May 1.

As COVID-19 is an evolving situation, Franciscan Health will continue to work with local and state public health agencies should additional measures need to be taken. Patient safety is always paramount in the protection of our patients, visitors and staff. Additional information and links to the latest updates about COVID-19 can be found at franciscanhealth.org/covid-19.

'This is a public health issue and it is our intent to protect the health and safety of our patients, our visitors and our employees,' said Daniel Wickert, MD, vice president of medical affairs for Franciscan Health Western Indiana. 'In doing so, we can reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, flu and other seasonal-related illnesses.'"