To protect our patients, families and health care workers during the global outbreak of COVID-19 the following visitor restrictions are being implemented at all UnityPoint Health - Des Moines hospitals. This includes Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Blank Children's Hospital and Methodist West Hospital.

Effective Wednesday, March 25, visitors are NOT allowed unless the visitor is a designated caregiver and the patient falls into one of the following categories listed below: 

• ED/Outpatient Areas/Clinics: One visitor
• The patient is imminently dying. 
• The patient is a minor under 18. One parent/designated caregiver will be allowed to be present in the room to support care of the patient. 
• The patient is suffering from confusion or delirium. In this case one designated caregiver may be present to support the care of the patient. 
• In Maternity Services (Labor & Delivery, Postpartum) one designated caregiver/support person will be allowed to be in the room to support the mother. Doulas and outside birth coaches will not be permitted.
• Patient is having surgery - one visitor only through pre-surgical area, waiting rooms and through the duration of the patient's surgery and post-op course until discharged home.

Designated caregivers must be free of any signs of illness. Individuals at high risk for severe disease (e.g., underlying cardiopulmonary disease, poorly controlled diabetes) should not visit.  

Designated caregivers include, but are not limited to:

• Parent/stepparent
• Spouse/significant other
• Other defined caregiver 

Designated caregivers:

• 16 years of age and older
• Siblings are not allowed
• Always remain in patient room as appropriate
• Limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas
• Free from illness such as (fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting or runny nose)

Designated caregivers are required to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand foam/gel upon entering and exiting patient’s room. Team members will provide instructions if additional PPE is required. 

We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult for you. While we are committed to providing a family-centered care environment, right now restricting visitors is in the best interest of our patients and staff.

In an effort to further protect our team members and patients, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines will be redirecting all visitors to specific entrances on each of our campuses. This will go into effect Tuesday, March 17. Please see changes to our entrances for each campus listed below. 

Iowa Methodist Medical Center/Blank Children's Hospital

• Main Entrance located on the North side of Iowa Methodist Medical Center (entrance 2)
• Emergency Department Entrance
• Atrium Entrance from the Parking Ramp (entrance 5)
• Powell 1 Entrance (entrance 6)
• Please note that all Medical Office Building Entrances will remain open for patients, visitors and employees to enter through.
• See map for entrance locations.

Iowa Lutheran Hospital

• Emergency Department Entrance

Methodist West Hospital

• Emergency Department Entrance

Visitor restrictions are temporary and subject to change as necessary 

All caregivers are required to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand foam/gel upon entering and exiting patient’s room. We understand these visitor restrictions may be difficult for you. While we are committed to providing a family-centered care environment, right now restricting visitors is in the best interest of our patients and staff. 

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines will be limiting the delivery of personal items to patients to the following times: between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. No weekend delivery.

Based on where patients are hospitalized, deliveries must be made to:  

• Methodist West Hospital Emergency Department
• Iowa Lutheran Hospital Emergency Department 
• Iowa Methodist Medical Center Main Entrance  

These items will be limited to items that are non-organic, impenetrable and able to wipe down. This would include eyeglasses, hearing aids, iPads or Kindles, small electronic devices/chargers, etc. It does not include books, magazines, clothes/shoes/slippers, cards, food or flowers.

In response to the current COVID-19 public health crisis and in an effort to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) for our healthcare workers and first responders, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines and UnityPoint Clinic has made the decision to postpone all elective and semi-urgent procedures and surgeries beginning Monday, March 23 until further notice. Urgent and emergent surgical procedures will be reviewed and continue to be scheduled.  

Taking this step will help protect valuable workforce resources while also preserving supplies in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was made in coordination with federal, regional and state authorities as well as our counterparts in the community and across our health system. 

Our UnityPoint Health hospitals, clinics and walk-in clinic locations will remain open. We ask that you contact your provider’s office to receive more information about your specific care, including rescheduling.

Ankeny Medical Park Pharmacy will temporarily offer curbside delivery effective Monday, March 30, 2020. Patients will need to drive up to the north entrance, call the pharmacy at (515) 965-4680, and they will deliver prescriptions and over-the-counter items to the car. 

The pharmacy lobby will be closed to the public for the safety of our patients and employees. We will continue to deliver employee prescriptions to Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Methodist West Hospital and Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

To protect our patients, families and health care workers during the global outbreak of COVID-19 the following visitor restrictions are being implemented at UnityPoint Clinic. Effective immediately the following temporary visitor restrictions will be implemented. Only designated caregivers allowed.

Designated caregivers must be free of any signs of illness. Individuals at high risk for severe disease (e.g., underlying cardiopulmonary disease, poorly controlled diabetes) should not visit.  

Designated caregivers include, but are not limited to:

• Parent/stepparent
• Spouse/significant other
• Other defined caregiver 

Designated caregivers:

• 16 years of age and older
• Siblings are not allowed
• Always remain in patient room as appropriate
• Limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas
• Free from illness such as (fever, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting or runny nose)

Exceptions may be made at UnityPoint Clinic in certain situations and can be discussed with patient care teams.

UnityPoint Clinic is postponing non-essential appointments to protect our patients, families and health care workers during the global outbreak of COVID-19. Patients who are affected will be called in advance of their scheduled appointment and telephone or virtual options will be offered when appropriate. Clinic staff will be able to answer any questions or concerns. If you do not hear from us, please come to your scheduled appointment.

• UnityPoint Clinic Lakeview - Pediatrics will no longer offer weekend hours
• UnityPoint Clinic OB/GYN - Waukee will relocate to UnityPoint Clinic OBGYN - Clive
• UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine - Kettlestone will relocate to UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine - Waukee
• UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine - Ingersoll will relocate to UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine - Merle Hay

In an effort to best serve our patients and community, effective March 25, 2020, we have made the decision to consolidate our urgent care and walk-in locations. This will enable us to bring together our providers, team members and valuable supplies into fewer locations and work as efficiently as possible.

Clinics remaining OPEN are:

• UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Ankeny
• UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Southglen
• UnityPoint Clinic – Express at Jordan Creek

These locations will be closed until further notice.

• UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Lakeview
• UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Merle Hay
• UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Altoona
• UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Urbandale
• UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Ingersoll (Currently Operating as Adult Respiratory Illness Clinic)

• 7th Annual Midwest Pelvic PT Study Day (4/25)
• Adult Hospital/Cancer Center/Hospice Donor Recognition Event (5/12)
• Blank Children's Pediatric Spring Conference (4/16 - 4/17)
• Blank Children's STAR and Developmental Center Open House (3/23)
• Beyond Birth: The First Year
• Breastfeeding Support Groups
• Car Seat Fit Station at Bob Brown - April and May dates
• Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab suspended until further notice
• Carroll Fire Association Ground Crew Class (4/20)
• Donate Life Month Service of Remembrance
• EMPOWER: The salon will be closed until further notice. The boutique is available by appointment only. Call 515-241-4243 to schedule an appointment. 
• Hannah Geneser Learning Center & Safety Store - closed until further notice. For assistance with your safety questions and safety product needs please call the safety store at 515-241-6706.
• Iowa Breastfeeding Conference
• Iowa Lutheran Hospital Nurse Alumni Weekend (5/1-5/2)
• John Stoddard Cancer Center Support Groups (all groups)
• LifeFlight Outreach Class - Monroe (3/14)
• LifeFlight Outreach Class - Fairfield Farm Injuries and Stop the Bleed (3/17)
• Maternity Tours
• Pocahontas Hospital Outreach Education (4/29)
• Powell CDC Annual Banquet (4/25)
• Powell CDC Public Education
• Saylor Center FD Outreach Education (4/14)
• Service of Remembrance
• Star Donor Event (4/2)
• State Center FD Outreach Education (4/20)
• Stroke Club meetings
• Total Joint Class at Iowa Lutheran Hospital and Methodist West Hospital
• UnityPoint Clinic - Express in Waukee Community Open House (3/27)
• UnityPoint Clinic - Weight Loss Support Group (4/4)
• Volunteer Recognition (4/7)
• Volunteer Recognition (4/22)
• Westerberg/Coskery Celebration (4/16)

• All Campus Hospital Gift Shops are closed until further notice. We are still taking online and phone orders. Shop online by clicking here or call 515-241-6193.
  
• The Not New Shop will be closed.