Visiting Guidelines

We pride ourselves on being a patient and family centered organization and know in-person visits provide support and reassurance for patients and families alike. The COVID-19 pandemic is a difficult time for all of us. Times have changed quickly and dramatically due to the virus. As a patient-centered hospital, we must do everything we can to prevent the spread of this disease. Below are our current visiting guidelines. These are general guidelines; at any time, visitation may be restricted, or hours limited at the discretion of hospital leadership to ensure the safety of patients, staff, physicians, and visitors. All visitation is subject to the ability to maintain social distancing and visitors complying with these guidelines.

  • Minors: Minors, including siblings, must be 16 years and above to visit. Exceptions may be made on a case-by case basis by campus leadership and infection prevention.
  • End-of-Life: Any patient who is at the end of life may have up to two (2) designated visitors unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors. Visitation may increase on a case-by case basis.
  • Emergency Department: Pediatric patients may have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis. Adult patients may have one (1) visitor, although this may be restricted to no visitation during high patient volumes to ensure the safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors.
  • Pediatric Outpatients: Patients in pediatric outpatient departments may have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis; visitor must be designated by the parent/legal guardian unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors.
  • Pediatric Inpatients: May have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis; visitor must be limited to two designated parent/legal guardian or support person throughout the hospitalization. Visitation may be further limited as indicated by staff to ensure the safety of patients, staff, physicians, and visitors.
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Patients: May have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis; visitor must be limited to two designated parent/legal guardian or support person throughout the hospitalization. Visitation may be further limited as indicated by staff to ensure the safety of patients, staff, physicians, and visitors. COVID positive parents are generally restricted in the NICU; exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
  • Maternity Patients: Laboring, Antepartum & Postpartum patients may have (1) visitor (support person) and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis who must remain in the room. A Certified Doula may be present and must comply with PPE and infection control guidelines. Doula visitation occurs during labor and up to 2 hours post-delivery. Visitation may be further limited as indicated by staff to ensure the safety of patients, staff, physicians, and visitors.
  • OB Outpatient: Patients in ambulatory OB departments may have one support person visit if space permits or unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors.
  • Surgical/Procedural Patients: Patients undergoing a surgery or procedure may have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors. There will be no general visitation in the PACU, and Pre-op visits will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • Patients who require special assistance: Altered, dependent, and patients with cognitive impairments may have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors.
  • Patients that are COVID+ or suspected COVID: No general visitation is allowed. Exceptions include End of Life, Maternity Partner in Care, Pediatric, NICU and on a case-by case basis.

Each visitor entering a MemorialCare facility must comply with the following:

  • Wear a face mask (procedural mask required) that covers the entire mouth and nose when entering the facility and must always wear a procedural mask while in patient care areas. The only exception is if visitors are eating or drinking; when their mask is off, they must stay at least 6 feet apart from other individuals. It is recommended that patients should also wear a mask when visitors are in the room.
  • Complete screening each time entering the facility, and disclose, any symptoms of illness including fever, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, new loss of smell or taste, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Visitors with symptoms of illness, including fever, will not be permitted to visit. Once screened, the visitor must go directly to the assigned room of their family member.
  • Practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet apart from others whenever possible.
  • Visitors should wash their hands frequently, upon entering the room, leaving the room, before and after eating, and before and after using the restroom
  • Visitors are only permitted in hospital approved common areas
  • Meals: Visitors are encouraged to eat prior to visitation. Visitors may eat in patient rooms but must remain 6 feet apart from the patient and others. If their condition allows, and if they are able to tolerate a mask, patients must remain masked while the visitor is eating in the room.
  • Remain in the patient’s room or designated waiting areas except when accompanying the patient for approved activities. Once the visitor leaves the patient room or waiting areas, they must immediately exit the facility