In-person visits have always been a key component to support the health and well-being of our patients. All visitations should be person-centered and consider the patient’s physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. They are also designed to support their quality of life. 

We have always placed tremendous value on our patients being able to connect with their loved ones face-to-face. Now, with changes in the CDC and CMS guidance, these visits are possible. We are eager to welcome our patients’ beloved family and friends back into our centers. Our approach to visitation will be disciplined and well-planned. We will strictly follow the CMS visitation guidance and continue to adhere to direction provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our state and local health departments.

Effective today there will be several types of visitation that will be encouraged. Outdoor, indoor, and compassionate care visits. While each of these visitations generally meet the same goals, they differ on the location and duration of the visit. Outdoor visitation is preferred even when the patient and visitor are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Outdoor visits are preferred because they generally pose a lower risk of transmission due to increased space and airflow. Therefore, all patient visits should be held outdoors, whenever possible, weather and the patient’s health permitting.  

Indoor visitation can occur in designated areas of the center with no more than two visitors at any given time, regardless of their vaccination status. Indoor visits can occur except for a few circumstances when visitation should be limited due to a high-risk of COVID-19 transmission. Those circumstances include limiting indoor visitation for unvaccinated residents and patients if the city or county positivity rate is greater than 10%, and less than 70% of the patients are fully vaccinated; limiting indoor visitation for residents and patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they have met the criteria for discontinuing transmission based precautions; and limiting indoor visitation for residents and patients in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they have met the criteria for being released from quarantine. Please also note that new admissions who are on precautions cannot have visitors for 14 days. 

This has been a difficult time for us all, and we are sincerely excited to welcome you back! Despite the challenges we’ve faced, you have been a valued partner, and our staff thanks you for your continued trust in us. Each and every one of our patients is like family to us, and we remain committed to keeping them healthy and safe.

When the local prevalence rate or our center’s status changes, our ability to allow visitation may change as well. Please call our center with any questions and to schedule your visit. We look forward to seeing you again soon. 

Thank you,
Jessica Jackson
Administrator, Burke Health & Rehabilitation Center

The following information will be updated as new cases are identified and/or weekly as a cumulative update and report per federal regulations.