Updates

October 21, 2022

New recommendations from the CDC state that mask requirements are to be determined by a county’s level of community COVID transmission. As of October 21, 2022, Cleveland County as well as surrounding counties have dropped to either a substantial or moderate community transmission level.

Following CDC recommendations, this means that universal masking in a healthcare facility is not required while these counties remain below a high community transmission level.

Healers, patients and visitors still need to wear a mask in the following situations:

• If you have had a known exposure to COVID in the past 14 days
• You are experiencing COVID or flu-like symptoms

The CDC updates community transmission levels every Thursday and levels can change on a week-by-week basis. 

Please note that if transmission level rises back to HIGH, universal masking will be reinstituted.

April 18, 2022

Visitors are welcome! Norman Regional Health System is no longer limiting visitors within its facilities. 

• Visitation is back open so visitors can come and go as they please. 
• Visitors are required to wear a mask the entire time they’re within Norman Regional facilities, per current CDC guidelines.
• Visitors are not allowed in the room of COVID-positive patients (some exceptions will be made).

July 30, 2021

Norman Regional Health System is limiting visitors within its facilities. Beginning Monday, Aug. 2, one visitor per patient is allowed at a time.

• Visitors can come and go between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. If a visitor wishes to stay past 7 p.m., they are able to do so, but they will not be allowed to reenter until 7 a.m. if they leave the building.
• Visitors are required to wear a mask the entire time they’re within Norman Regional facilities, per current CDC guidelines.
• Visitors will have their temperature taken and be asked screening questions upon entry into the facility.
• Visitors are not allowed in the room of COVID-positive patients (some exceptions will be made).
• Inpatient Rehabilitation and Behavioral Medicine are not allowing any visitors at this time.
• Women’s and Children’s has slightly varied visitor guidelines during the same hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • o Labor & Delivery patients can have one designated visitor throughout their labor.
  • o OBED patients can have one designated visitor throughout their visit.
  • o Mother Baby patients can have one visitor at a time.
  • o NICU patients can have mom and dad or mom and support person only. No other visitors allowed.

Thank you for following these guidelines and for helping us keep our patients, our healers, and our visitors safe.

March 26, 2021

Starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday, March 30, Norman Regional Health System will welcome back visitors!

We are happy to open visitation back up, as visitors are a vital part of the patient's healing process. The following guidelines will be in place inside our facilities, including within the patient's room.

Visitor Guidelines

• Visitors are allowed at any time, unless specified by the unit.
• Masks are required at all times within Norman Regional's facilities, per the City of Norman's mask mandate that is in effect until June 1 and the CDC's (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines.
• Visitors will have their temperature taken and be asked screening questions before being allowed to enter.
• All waiting rooms will be open.
• Social distancing must be maintained in the waiting rooms and in patient rooms.
• The number of visitors allowed in a patient's room at a time depends on the size of the room, as social distancing must be maintained.
• Visitors are not allowed in COVID airborne isolation rooms. Virtual and window visitation is still encouraged.
• Once COVID patients downgrade from airborne isolation to droplet isolation, visitors may visit as long as they are compliant with PPE expectations per the type of isolation.
• Non-isolated patients receiving aerosolizing therapies may have visitors.

Thank you for following these guidelines and for helping us keep our patients, our healers, and our visitors safe. 

March 17, 2021

Starting Saturday, March 20, Norman Regional's weekend visiting hours for Patient Representatives at Norman Regional Hospital and Norman Regional HealthPlex are being extended from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Patient Representative Vsiting Hours are as followed:

Norman Regional HealthPlex

Main Entrance

Monday – Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Women’s and Children’s Pavilion (Women & Children’s Center visitors entry only)

Monday – Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Norman Regional Hospital (Porter campus)

Northeast Entrance

Monday – Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

South Entrance

Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Feb. 8, 2021

Starting Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 patients are allowed one Patient Representative during specific times. Patient Representatives must be 16 years old or older and are required to wear a mask while in the facility. 

Patient Representatives will check in with the greeter/volunteer at the entrance and receive a visitor sticker. The Patient Representative will also need to check out with the greeter/volunteer when they leave the facility.

Patient Representatives with a temperature at or above 100.5 F or who answer yes to a CDC screening question will not be allowed to enter.

Areas to note:

• Pediatric and NICU patients may designate up to two Patient Representatives, guardian and/or parents ONLY for the duration of the hospital stay with visitation open 24 hours. Both representatives may visit at the same time.
• ED, OBED, Surgery and Outpatient areas will be allowed one Patient Representative as long as social distancing can be maintained in waiting areas.
• Infectious patients in isolation will not be allowed a Patient Representative.
• Patients receiving end-of-life care may have exceptions made.

Patient Representative Access Hours:

Norman Regional HealthPlex

Main Entrance

Monday – Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Women’s and Children’s Pavilion (Women & Children’s Center visitors entry only)

Monday – Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Norman Regional Hospital (Porter campus)

Northeast Entrance

Monday – Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

South Entrance

Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nov. 8, 2020

Starting Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 visitors are NOT allowed for adult patient. 

Exceptions include:

• Pediatrics, obstetrics, and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In these areas two patient representatives are allowed for the duration of the stay. Patient representatives are only allowed inside the building one at a time.
• The Emergency Department. Patient representatives will only be allowed for minors and medical need.
• Patients with disabilities who require care from a representative.
• Patients receiving end-of-life care.

Patient Representatives with a temperature at or above 100.5 F or who answer yes to a CDC screening question will not be allowed to enter. All limited, patient representatives will:

• Bring and wear a mask or facial covering
• Practice proper hand hygiene
• Follow social distancing guidelines especially in our waiting rooms and lobbies. Norman Regional will maintain compliance with CDC social distancing guidelines. This may limit the number of people in waiting areas
• Not visit patients or our facilities if exhibiting signs of a fever or symptoms of other illness.

August 24, 2020

Only one identified patient representative allowed in the room at a time during the patient stay. Each patient can designate two representatives to alternate time during the stay.

July 16, 2020

Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma, Inpatient Rehabilitation Center patients are no longer allowed patient representatives. 

July 2, 2020

Norman Regional Health System has updated guidelines for our visitors and patients on July 2, 2020.

• At this time, social visits for patients are not allowed.
• Only two patient representatives are allowed per patient. Ask the unit for further instructions.
• Patient representatives are welcome between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Patients on isolation precautions are not allowed patient representatives. Virtual visiting rooms are available.
• No patient representatives under the age of 16.

Departments with exceptions to the above include:

• Only one patient representative is allowed per patient in the Emergency Department, and Patient Representatives are allowed 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the Emergency Department.
• The Inpatient Rehabilitation Center allows one designated patient representative between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• OB, Pediatrics and the NICU requires designated patient representatives. Two, designated patient representatives are allowed for the patient stay.
• Behavioral Medicine patients are not allowed patient representatives.

June 22, 2020

Due to risks of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential exposure of the disease to new moms and babies, Norman Regional is currently limiting visitors to the Women’s and Children’s Pavilion areas.

For the safety of our moms, babies and children:

• Two designated visitors are allowed during children’s and mom/baby’s entire stay

• Wear a mask at all times while in the hospital

• Do not visit if you have signs or symptoms of illness including cough or a fever

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the patients’ room

• Limit the surfaces you touch in patient care areas

• Only visit the patient room, do not go to other locations within the facility

• Visitors under the age of 16 are not allowed

June 11, 2020

Norman Regional Health System will welcome back visitors to our hospitals on Friday, June 12, 2020. We ask that visitors please continue the following:

• Bring and wear a mask or facial covering
• Practice proper hand hygiene
• Follow social distancing guidelines especially in our waiting rooms and lobbies. Norman Regional will maintain compliance with CDC social distancing guidelines. This may limit the number of people in waiting areas
• Not visit patients or our facilities if exhibiting signs of a fever or symptoms of other illness

Patients who need isolation precautions will not be allowed to have in-person visitors.

Specific procedures include:

• IC and CVICU will return to their pre-COVID guidelines of two visitors at a time. NICU is allowing two designated patient representatives during the duration of the patient stay. This policy is different than pre-COVID where visitors could switch out.

• Due to social distancing requirements, Behavioral Medicine Services will not be allowing visitors at this time.

• The Rehabilitation Care Unit at Porter will allow only one, designated patient representative per patient. The times for patient representative to visits is 5-8 p.m.

• Visitor restrictions remain in place for our clinic locations because of the limited space in those locations’ waiting and exam rooms and social distancing requirements.

May 29, 2020

On Friday, May 29, 2020 Norman Regional Health System updated its visitor policy. This update mirrors the “Open Up and Recover Safely” plan introduced by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Starting the afternoon of Friday, May 29, patients can now designate a “patient representative”. This patient representative is an adult (18 years of age or older) designated by the patient who need not be a formal legal representative, but rather someone whom the patient seeks emotional support from and who the patient may seek assistance with decision making in considering care options.

The hours for the patient representative to be in our facilities will be between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, Emergency Department, OB, Pediatrics, and NICU Patient Representatives will have 24-hour visitation.

May 15, 2020

For your safety and ours, please bring a facemask or face covering with you when you enter a Norman Regional (NRHS) location. Masks, scarves, bandanas or other facial coverings are all good options to wear to our facilities. 

May 12, 2020

Norman Regional continues to update its social media channels. Recent additions include a Thank You video from our healers to the community (watch it here), a video update from President and CEO Richie Splitt and quotes from our physicians about the safety of our facilities. Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

May 8, 2020
Norman Regional now has the ability to perform in-house COVID-19 testing. Beginning Friday at 7 a.m., patients may now be tested on admission. Symptomatic patients will continue to go to the COVID units. Asymptomatic patients will be admitted to the unit with the appropriate level of care.

May 7, 2020
Norman Regional is now offering free serology/antibody testing for all employees who we call healers and medical staff. Testing began on Thursday, May 7.

May 6, 2020
Norman Regional has launched Virtual Visiting Rooms for patients and loved ones to connect during this pandemic. Seeing and hearing from family and friends can provide patients with additional support and motivation. Our nursing team will work with a patient and their loved one to inform them about the Virtual Visiting Rooms which are hosted through WebEx. The Virtual Visiting Rooms can be accessed on our web site NormanRegional.com in the COVID section or by clicking here.

May 5, 2020

New donation drop off location - The community drop off PPE donation items has been moved to the South Entrance of Norman Regional Hospital, 901 N. Porter Ave. Drop offs are welcome Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2 to 4 p.m. More information about items can be found at Norman Regional Health Foundation.  

May 4, 2020

Norman Regional wants to reassure patients that it is safe to come to our facilities to get the treatment they need. Our patients’ safety is our top priority. To share that message with the community, Norman Regional produced a 30-second television commercial. Click here to watch it. It features our very own healers! It began airing Monday, May 4 on local TV stations 4, 5 and 9. You will also see the commercial on YouTube and Facebook.

May 1, 2020

The NRHS Breast Care Center will resume limited services starting Monday, May 4. In an effort to provide the utmost care for patient safety, the following conditions have been put into place:

• The clinic will limit the number of mammogram exams each day to allow for social distancing.

• There will be no more than 4 people in the waiting room at all times.

• Intensified cleaning processes in all areas of the center and will continue to monitor everyone who comes in for fever and other symptoms.

• Patients will wait in their cars until called by clinic to enter.

• Patients will be encouraged to bring their own mask or face covering. If you do not have a mask of your own, please let a member of our team know.

• No visitors allowed.

The Moore Breast Care Center will remain closed until June 1.

Imaging Services continue to remain open (with additional safety and social distancing measures in place) with the exception of heart and lung scans, carotid ultrasound screening and whole body scans. We hope to resume these services in June.

April 30, 2020

As the state begins to reopen, visitor restrictions, including no hospital visitors for adult patients, are still in place, to protect our patients. The visitor restrictions are set according to guidelines in Gov. Kevin Stitt's Open Up & Recover Safely plan and Norman Mayor Breea Clark's Healthier at Home plan. As of now, the earliest visitor restrictions may be lifted will be in June. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this difficult time.

Click here to learn more about our visitor restrictions and alternative methods to virtual visit your loved one.

April 29, 2020

For your safety and ours, wear a mask.

To protect our patients and those caring for you, cloth masks must be worn inside Norman Regional facilities including waiting rooms by all people.

Bring your mask with you when coming to any of our facilities for tests or treatment. Protect our healthcare workers by wearing a mask, just as you would anywhere outside your home.

If you do not have your own mask, ask a Norman Regional team member for one.

Norman Regional is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization guidelines for wearing masks in public settings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Other safety measures we are taking include reducing the number of people in our waiting rooms and adding visual markers to demonstrate social distancing requirements.

Masks are not required for the following people:

• Those with respiratory issues such as COPD who cannot tolerate wearing a mask.
• Children under 2 years old.

April 24, 2020

Elective surgeries that were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic are allowed to resume today, after an announcement from Gov. Kevin Stitt earlier this week.

Norman Regional is focusing on how to keep patients and employees safe with the return of elective surgeries. 

April 23, 2020

As Oklahoma enters its severe weather season, it is important to remember that our hospitals including Norman Regional Hospital, the Norman Regional HealthPlex and Norman Regional Moore are not public storm shelters. Currently, visitors are not permitted at any of our facilities in order to protect our patients and team members from the spread of COVID-19. Our primary goal remains to keep our patients and healers safe. We thank the community for their understanding.

Update April 20, 2020

If you are a resident of Norman, the Mayor and City Council would like your feedback on reopening businesses and public facilities in the community. The Mayor’s stay-at-home order is set to expire on Thursday, April 30 and with this date in mind, feedback from residents is crucial to the decision that begins the process of  returning to normal business within our community.

The survey asks for the ward in which you reside and feedback on extension of the stay-at-home order, phased approach of reopening and the effectiveness of social distancing. Deadline for submittal is noon Tuesday, April 21. Please click here to take the survey.

The following link provides more information about the City of Norman and its response to COVID-19. www.coronavirus.normanok.gov

Update April 17, 2020

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced that elective surgeries can resume on Friday, April 24. Our team is working diligently to ensure the safety of our patients and healers as we welcome surgery patients back. The surgical committee is meeting Tuesday, April 21 to vote on the criteria for low-risk, urgent cases.

The City of Norman and the Norman Regional Foundation are encouraging people in our community to wear blue to support and thank frontline and essential workers! You can join by wearing blue on Fridays and using the hashtag #FrontlineFridays!

Update April 16, 2020

The American Heart Association is reporting that due to COVID-19 the nation has seen a decrease in the number of emergent heart attack and stroke patients. It can be a problem because the community is afraid to seek help. Norman Regional is joining the Heart Association in sharing information about the importance of seeking care in an emergency. Emergencies don’t stop for COVID-19; certain heart and stroke symptoms require immediate medical intervention, and every second matters. For more information please visit the American Heart Association's web site by clicking here. 

Update April 15, 2020

The OSDH is partnering with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) and MyCare to offer services to clients who may find themselves in crisis. Local county health departments at 81 sites will have access to iPads designed to assist clients who may be in mental health distress during the COVID-19 crisis. The MyCare application is setup on electronic tablets provided to local health departments as a quick resource for immediate assistance from behavioral health specialists enlisted by the ODMHSAS through the telehealth format. As an additional resource to the public, the disaster distress helpline is available by calling 1-800-985-5990. For more information about COVID-19, visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov.

Update April 3, 2020

Based on new guidance from the CDC, our guidelines on the wearing of masks inside our facilities and clinics has changed on Friday, April 3. 

Update April 2, 2020

Norman Regional’s physician/healthcare provider referral line has been modified to be answered by a Norman Regional healer from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Anyone seeking a healthcare provider can call 405-515-5000 to be matched with one.

Norman Regional’s Senior Counseling Center is contacting patients who have been screened and identified as at risk for depression while being testing for COVID-19.

Update March 27, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect Norman, the need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is growing at Norman Regional Health System. The Norman Chamber of Commerce has formed a donation collection program and is calling upon its members and the public to come together as a community to meet the hospital’s needs.

The Chamber, in partnership with NRHS Foundation and Cleveland County, has set up a donation drop off location for individuals to donate the below listed priority items.

1. PAPR Hood 3M Model S-133S-5
2. N95 Masks
3. Surgical/Isolation Masks
4. Protective Isolation Gowns/Ponchos
5. Super Sani-Cloth Germicidal Disposable Wipes by PDI Model Q55172
6. Temporal Scanner Thermometers
7. Protective Eyewear
8. Mini-tipped Swabs: Submitted in UTM or VTM only, individually packaged as sterile, DNA free, and RNA free
9. Virex Plus Diversey
10. Germicidal Bleach4 Clorox
11. Face Shields/Clear & Protects Face
12. Hand Sanitizer 70% Alcohol

Please drop off items at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E. Robinson Ave., at the south side of the arena, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 3 to 5 p.m.

For more information and useful resources, visit Norman Chamber of Commerce.

Update March 22, 2020

In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Norman Regional Health System, along with four other health systems in the Oklahoma City metro, announced a new update to visitation policies.

Effective at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, Norman Regional Health System, is no longer permitting visitors for adult patients.

Also effective March 23, due to the special considerations for children’s care and labor and delivery care, one permitted, hospital visitor is allowed to accompany a child or labor and delivery patient to an appointment. This person must be over the age of 18, including siblings.

High level critical care, trauma, palliative care, hospice and adult patients requiring assistance from a guardian or caregiver will be addressed on a case-by-case basis regarding visitation.

Norman Regional is asking visitors who may be sick or experiencing flu-like symptoms not visit the hospital unless they are seeking medical treatment.

Update March 19, 2020

As we continue working together to safeguard Oklahoma’s health care workers, patients and community from the spread of COVID-19, five hospitals in the greater Oklahoma City metro area have decided to postpone elective, non-urgent surgical procedures. Those hospitals include:

• Norman Regional Health System (includes Norman Regional Hospital and HealthPlex campus)
• Integris
• Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City
• OU Medicine
• SSM Health St. Anthony

Elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures are those that can be rescheduled to a future time and will not significantly impact the patient’s health.

This decision to postpone these surgeries was not taken lightly, given the fact that it will inconvenience patients and impact the co-workers and providers who serve in a surgical capacity. Postponing elective procedures that are safe to delay will protect patients and providers while helping hospitals preserve supplies of personal protective equipment and provide capacity for critically ill patients.

Emergent and urgent surgeries and procedures will continue and include cases that should be done right away or within a 4-week time period because delaying the surgery could negatively affect the patient’s health. In consultation with patients, providers will determine the best course of action to reschedule their procedures in order to meet the patient’s specific health needs.

Hospitals will begin contacting patients as their cases become eligible for potential postponement.

Update March 17, 2020

Norman Regional is doing everything we can to keep our patients, physicians and healers safe. Here are a few of the actions we have taken:

• Suspended students and volunteers from coming to our facilities
• Closed the dining areas in our cafeterias and limiting offerings to to-go or self-service items
• Closed our employee fitness centers