In an effort to improve patient access to Geary Community Hospital and clinics, GCH will open a second entrance beginning Monday, May 18th. In addition to the Emergency Room entrance, patients can also access the Medical Arts Building II from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Emergency Room entrance will be staffed 24/7. Employees will continue to use the employee-only door.According to Communication Director Ashley King, for the health and safety of everyone, GCH will continue its visitor restrictions that were earlier set forth. Only patients with appointments or an emergency are permitted with the exception of labor and delivery, a minor under 18 and end of life care. In each of those cases a patient may bring one adult companion.The hospital will continue to require other restrictions including a formal check-in and check-out process for everyone using the ER door and the MA II door, including the use of visitor badges. If a patient or vendor does not have a badge they will be escorted out of the buildings immediately.&nbsp;All patients, vendors and staff are to wear a mask at all times while in the hospital. If a patient does not have mask then one will be provided.Loitering, social visits and public access to the cafeteria will not be allowed during this time.Every person must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entering the hospital, with no exceptions.All vendors an contractors must access through the same point of entrance or exit, unless other plans have been approved and authorized by GCH personnel.Security personnel will be enhanced during this time to protect citizens' safety and to assist in enforcing these temporary rules.

Geary Community Hospital will open a second entrance