OU Children's Hospital Puts Restrictions In Place As COVID Cases Spike Statewide

OU Children’s Hospital has tightened its visitation policy once again, due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma.

Patients under 18 can still have two designated caregivers, but only one can visit at a time.

“With the steady increase we felt like it was a time to make some revisions to encourage social distancing within the hospitals,” Director of Patient and Family Experience for the Children’s Hospital, James Butler said.

The policy includes patients undergoing surgeries.

Only one caregiver over the age of 18 can stay with each child patient throughout the visit.

Restrictions remain for the rest of the OU Med campus as well.

Visitor requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The hospital is utilizing technology to help patients of all ages connect with loved ones.

“Although we may not be able to have everyone’s loved ones at the bedside, we do strongly encourage that there is that one individual, in addition to using technology to ensure that those who can’t be at the bedside are still being connected,” Butler said of the children’s hospital.

The measures, effective on June 24, are in reaction to the spike in COVID-19 cases doctors have seen locally and statewide recently.

“We heavily rely on our infection diseases physicians and our executive team to work together on identifying the best plan of action,” Butler said.

Children’s Hospital has both a website and app with information for planning a visit.