Loved ones’ involvement in patient care leads to better outcomes. We are, however, obligated to also protect patients, visitors and our staff to exposure to infectious diseases, including COVID-19. To promote social distancing, we do encourage you to utilize Facetime, Zoom or Skype to virtually visit with our patients.
Waiting rooms have been modified throughout the health system to accommodate social distancing standards and provide ample hand sanitizing stations throughout our hospitals and clinics. All visitors are asked to use these frequently — including before entering and leaving patient rooms, exam rooms and the facilities themselves.
To protect our patients, visitors and staff, as well as to promote social distancing, we have implemented the following visitation guidelines:
Visitor guidelines, as of Aug. 6, 2021
COVID-19 continues to impact our communities. In response to increasing COVID-19 cases, the following visitor policies apply to all visitors and will help us slow and stop the spread of the virus:
- Each patient may have one adult visitor at a time unless they are in isolation for confirmed or suspected COVID-19. If in isolation, no visitors will be allowed.
- Visitors must be the patient’s immediate family members or close caregivers. Children 16 and younger are not permitted.
- Visitation depends on the patient’s condition. Please understand that visitation will be restricted as needed so we can care for your loved one.
- Limit visits to one patient at a time — do not visit more than one patient per trip.
- Visitors must remain in the patient’s room as much as possible and limit excursions out of the room for necessities.
- Practice hand hygiene. Use hand sanitizer as you enter and leave the patient’s room.
- All visitors will be required to wear a mask. Please bring one or one will be supplied to you.
- Temperature checks and screening are required to enter the hospital. Make sure you stop by a screening station to have a temperature check and complete a quick COVID-19 exposure assessment. Visitors must not have a fever, respiratory infection or any other suspected or confirmed symptoms of COVID-19.
- You must wear a mask and maintain social distancing in all hospital common areas. If you do not have your mask, we’ll provide you one.
- Patients are encouraged to use technologies like Facetime, Facebook Messenger and video call applications to stay in touch with loved ones.
- For the safety of our patients, visitors and staff, visits to COVID-19 patients in isolation will be restricted as needed so we can care for your loved one.
- Exceptions related to compassionate care and special circumstances will be considered; please communicate with the nursing team or supervisor.
Emergency Department
Each patient may have one visitor in the room or waiting for the duration of their emergency visit. All emergency department visitors must abide by the above policies.
General Inpatient/Acute Care Units
Each patient in patient/acute care units may have one adult visitor at a time. Exceptions will be discussed for compassionate and special cause reasons. When leaving, visitors should check with the screening station.
Labor and Delivery/Maternity
Patients may have one visitor for the duration of their labor and delivery. After giving birth, patients may have one adult visitor at a time.
NICU
Each patient may have one visitor at a time, limited to two people who have the assigned baby bracelets.
Pediatrics
Pediatric patients may have one adult visitor at a time.
Surgical Services
Surgical patients may have one support person in the pre-post surgery room or waiting area during their procedure.
Laboratory and Diagnostic Imaging
Laboratory and diagnostic imaging patients may have one support person with them during their test or procedure.
