Visitor Restrictions

UPDATED VISITOR RESTRICTIONS
Effective September 1, 2020

As our community approaches the influenza (flu) season and remains in the midst of COVID-19, we have reviewed our visitation guidelines to ensure the safest way possible for our patients to have visitors. Effective Tuesday, September 1, at 11 a.m., updated inpatient visitor guidelines will be implemented for all St. Elizabeth Healthcare hospitals. Inpatient visitation will be restricted to one visitor per day during the established visiting hours.

These safety measures are being proactively implemented to do what's best for our patients, associates and physicians before the influenza virus becomes prominent in the community and coupled with COVID-19, results in added illness.

PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 patients and those who are persons under investigation (PUI’s) may not receive visitors.

VISITORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO:

Sign-in and -out upon entry and departure.
Wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth at all times, including in the patient room.
- Any person wearing a face covering that does not meet that criteria will be asked to use a surgical mask that will be provided to them to wear during visitation.
Temperature screen upon entry and answer symptomatic questions.
Perform hand hygiene.
Travel directly to/from the patient room.
Maintain six feet of social distancing at all times during visit.
Visitors may not leave and return to the facility during the visit, rather visitors must remain onsite throughout the visit.

OUTPATIENT VISITOR GUIDELINES INCLUDE:

Visitors will not be permitted.
If an adult patient requires someone to accompany them due to cognitive or physical needs, one person will be permitted in order to provide necessary care.

OUTPATIENT PROCEDURE/SURGERY:

Only the person receiving the procedure/surgery may enter the building.
If the patient has a driver, the driver will be asked to return once the patient’s procedure/surgery is complete. The driver will be notified for pick-up.
All patients will be temperature screened upon entry.

INPATIENT VISITOR GUIDELINES INCLUDE:

Inpatient visitation will be restricted to one visitor per day during the established visiting hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Visitors will be unable to switch with other visitors throughout the day.
- If multiple visitors present at the same time, only one visitor will be permitted. We ask that you please coordinate with family and friends to determine the visitation schedule ahead of time.
- Visitors are not permitted to congregate in hospital lobbies or internal/external common areas
Community Clergy visitation hours will be designated from 12-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m., seven days a week.
1A Main Entrances are the only entrances where visitors may enter.
Visitation questions should be directed to the nursing unit at (859) 301-2000.
Children aged 14+ will be permitted and will count as one visitor.

SKILLED NURSING UNITS AT FLORENCE AND FT. THOMAS:

Visitors will not be permitted at this time.

INPATIENT PROCEDURE/SURGERY:

Patients preparing for a procedure or surgery will be tested for COVID-19. From the point of testing until the time of the procedure/surgery being completed, the patient may receive visitors. The patient and visitor must wear a mask throughout the visit.
Proper masks must be worn that cover the nose and mouth.

THE FAMILY BIRTH PLACE:

Labor and Delivery: A single designated support person for mothers delivering babies. No other visitors will be permitted.
Post Labor (1B Unit): A single designated support person for mothers. No other visitors will be permitted.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Limited to the two people with the infant identification bracelets.
No children, including siblings of a newborn, will be permitted on any of these units.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT:

Only one visitor per ED patient will be permitted. If multiple visitors present at the same time, only one visitor will be permitted. We ask that you please coordinate with family and friends to determine the visitor who will remain with the patient while in the ED.
If the patient is admitted to an inpatient unit, the patient may have one visitor per day during the
established visiting hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. If multiple visitors present at the same time, only one
visitor will be permitted. We ask that you please coordinate with family and friends to determine the
visitation schedule ahead of time.
If the patient is less than 18 years of age, one parent will be required to accompany them.
Exceptions will be made for families of loved ones who are facing imminent death (see below).
If an ED patient has COVID-19, is a Person Under Investigation, or is coming from a nursing home,
visitors will not be permitted.
Proper masks and social distancing will be required at all times, including in the patient room.

INPATIENT HOSPICE:

Inpatient Hospice will follow the hospital visitation guidelines.
Exceptions will be made for families of loved ones who are facing imminent death (see below).

IMMINENT DEATH:

Visitors will be limited to parents, spouse and/or significant other, siblings and children aged 14+.
Amount of visitation time may be determined based upon patient circumstances.
Proper masks and social distancing will be required at all times, including in the patient room.
Any visitation exceptions outside of these guidelines will need to be approved by the nursing
supervisor.