The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought many challenges to the healthcare industry. Locally, one challenge many are encountering is navigating the visitor restrictions that local medical facilities have implemented. Piedmont Columbus Regional has launched two email accounts for families and friends to send messages and well wishes to loved ones currently staying in the hospital

“Piedmont Columbus Regional understands how difficult it can be for our patients not being able to have visitors at their bedside during this time,” said Meg Sturdevant, Director of Patient Experience for Piedmont Columbus Regional. “In response to the visitor restrictions that our hospital has in place to protect these patients as well as our staff members, we’ve launched an email platform to connect patients with their families and loved ones.”

Family members and loved ones can now send well wishes to patients they know are currently staying at Piedmont Columbus Regional. The hospital asks that the community please include the patient’s name and room number in the subject line.  Additionally, if you don’t know someone who is a patient but would still like to send encouraging words, you may email a note with the subject line of “well wishes.”

To send a note to a loved one at one of our campuses, email one of the following accounts:

Midtown Campus:[email protected]

Northside Campus: [email protected]

According to Sturdevant, the new email will help let Piedmont Columbus Regional patients know they’re not alone during their stay and that their family and loved ones are here for them, despite the temporary restriction on visits to the hospital.

In March, Piedmont Columbus Regional announced that all visitors are not permitted except essential family members in cases of patients receiving end-of-life care, for labor and delivery support, and for legal guardians accompanying minors who are receiving treatment.

Additionally, visitors must call ahead and receive preapproval. In addition, visitors who receive approval must pass a health screening based the CDC’s updated COVID-19 indicators before entering.

“While we regret the challenges caused by our hospital’s current visitor restrictions, we hope the community takes advantage of this new program we can offer and understands that safety is at the center of our organization and that these restrictions are keeping everyone in our hospital safe,” Sturdevant said. “We very much look forward to bringing these messages of well wishes to our patients’ bedside.”