Cullman Regional Medical Center has changed its emergency room visitation policy in hopes of making what can be a traumatic experience for patients and family members easier to handle. The changes were explained by Belinda Wilks, CRMC?s director of emergency services, at Tuesday night?s board meeting.Wilks said she heard many complaints about the old system in which patients were only allowed one visitor at a time, and guests were only allowed to enter at the top of the hour and on the half hour. If, for example, the visitor stepped outside at 12:05 to make a phone call ? a common occurrence since cell phone use is not allowed in the ER ? they were not allowed to return until 12:30.While the number of visitors will still be limited to reduce congestion in the ER, Wilks said the changes should make patients and family member happier.?Visitation remains with one visitor at the bedside because of space and privacy issues, but now we?re allowing that one visitor to come and go at any time,? she said.New visitor I.D. badges allow hospital staff to keep track of who the registered visitors are. Wilks said the badges have been in use for several weeks.?The whole idea is we?re trying to address the comments and the need of our patients in our community,? Wilks said. ?I want to address those concerns they have while still keeping the department safe, and I think this will accomplish both.?



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