Visitation/Patient Support Person Guidelines
Support Person Guidelines were revised on March 3, 2022 to now allow TWO support people per patient. Frequent review and possible revision of the guidelines occurs and may be changed depending on COVID cases and positivity rates. These guidelines may change at any time.
All visitors are expected to social distance and wear a mask while in the building. Although masking has been lifted in the community the regulations state masking in healthcare settings must remain. Visitors must perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact. No visitors under the age of 12 will be allowed to visit.
Patients should still designate ONE support person to be the contact person for obtaining updates and information on the patient’s condition. This allows the clinical teams to focus on patient care.
Emergency Department
• Two people may accompany the patient to the ED when assistance is needed.
• The support people will be screened upon entry to the hospital.
• The support people will wear a level 1 mask while in the facility.
• Emergency Room support people cannot congregate or remain in the ED Lobby.
• Any patient admitted as a Person Under Investigation or a patient who is in isolation for infectious disease may not have a support person with them unless requested by the treating physician and arranged by the department director or house supervisor.
ASC/Surgery
• Two support people may accompany the patient on the day of their procedure. For minors, two parents or two legal guardians may accompany the patient. The support people will remain with the patient except during the actual procedure.
• The support people will be screened upon entry to the hospital.
• The support people will wear a level 1 mask while in the facility.
• During the procedure, the support people will be asked to wait in the car or surgery waiting room. The support people will remain nearby until notified that they may return to be with the patient. Upon returning, the support people will wear a mask and remain in the patient’s ASC room until the patient is discharged.
• The support people will provide a contact number if they choose to wait in the car or return home until the patient is ready for discharge. The support people will be expected to return to the hospital within 15 minutes of receiving the call that the patient is ready for discharge.
Clinic/Urgent Care/Outpatient Services (Radiology, Lab, Respiratory, Infusions, etc.)
• Patients will be allowed two support people to accompany them to their appointment. The support people must remain in designated waiting area or with the patient during the entire visit.
• The support people will be screened upon entry to the clinic.
• The support person will wear a level 1 mask while attending the appointment.
Women’s Care and Birth Center – 2nd Floor
• The WCBC encourages mothers to have no more than two support people accompany them during labor and delivery.
• Doulas may be present as long as appropriate certification documents are provided prior to the mother’s arrival, vaccination is current, and with WCBC Director approval.
• The support people will be screened on entrance to the hospital.
• The support people will wear a level 1 mask while moving through the facility. When in the patient room, the mask may be removed. Masks will be reapplied when staff is present, moving through the halls of the unit or the facility.
• Grandparents and well siblings of the newborn may visit once daily for one hour. They will be screened on arrival and will be required to wear a mask throughout the facility.
• Visiting hours will be from 1:00pm – 4:00pm and 6:30pm – 8:30pm.
Inpatient Units 3rd Floor – Med/Surg, ICU
• We will now allow two support people at a time for our patients. The visitor will be required to wear a level 1 mask while in the facility.
• Pediatric patients – Both parents or two support people will be allowed to remain with the patient. All other screening and mask guide lines will be followed.
• Patients requiring isolation for infectious disease - Any patient admitted as a Person Under Investigation or a patient who is placed in isolation for an infectious disease may not have a support person with them unless requested by the attending physician and arranged by the department director or house supervisor.This will be limited to one support person, and they must be observed donning and doffing PPE for safety.
• Clergy - Clergy are considered an extension of the care team and do not count as one of the two support people for a patient. o Special circumstances for COVID visitation must be approved through the hospitalist and organized with the department director or house supervisor. This will be limited to one support person, and they must be observed donning and doffing PPE for safety.
o Electronic visitation via a tablet may be organized through the director/house supervisor as needed.
End of Life Patient Care
• The attending provider and care team will evaluate all end-of-life situations and guide safe and supportive decisions.
• In certain end of life situations, COVID positive and PUI patients may have a support person with them with approval of a provider.
• In this situation, the visitor would need to wear appropriate PPE which would include a PAPR, eye protection, gloves, and a gown.
• Trained hospital staff will assist the visitor with donning and doffing of the PPE.
The main entrance and lobby are open from 7:00 am – 4:30 pm weekdays. Anyone coming into the facility through the front doors will be screened as well as those entering through the ED entrance. The main lobby will be closed on weekends as prior to COVID. The Emergency Department (ED) entrance will remain open at all times. Level 1 masks will be provided to all entering the facility during the screening process.
The Gift Shop is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. and is limiting shoppers to 4 at a time.
Our current masking policy is based on county transmission levels as communicated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The masking requirement can change based on these weekly levels. Currently, masks are required.
These policies and guidelines are subject to change based on continuing developments locally and nationally.
For more information that is frequently updated, visit: kdheks.gov or cdc.gov.