To maintain the safety of our staff and patients while continuing to meet the needs of our patients and families, the visitor policy has been modified for our Stanford Health Care inpatients and emergency department patients only.
Visitors are still not allowed in clinics, other outpatient locations, and Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare hospital. See exemptions »
General visiting guidelines for inpatients at Stanford Health Care only:
- Use of technology should be considered prior to offering in person visitation.
- Visitation may be delayed or refused based on the care needs of the patient.
- The patient or family/patient representative will designate two visitors for the duration of the hospital stay and provide the name, address, and contact number for each.
- One (1) visitor at a time will be allowed, with a maximum of two (2) visitors in any 24-hour period.
- Children under the age of 16 may visit a parent or legal guardian if they pass screening criteria and are accompanied by an adult (total two visitors).
- Upon arrival, visitors will be met at the facility entrance by a staff member and screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
- If the visitor passes screening requirements, a visitor sticker and mask will be provided to them with wayfinding assistance.
- Visitors that do not pass the screening process will not be allowed entry to the facility.
- Visitors must stay in the room, not use any common spaces including the cafeteria, and comply with all SHC instructions, including personal protective equipment, hand hygiene and other infection prevention requirements, masking and social distancing protocols must be followed.
Exception to visiting rules:
- The parent or legal guardian of a minor child will be permitted to remain at the bedside and be allowed a maximum of two exit and re-entry opportunities per 24-hours for bathroom or nutritional needs.
- Patients at end of life will be allowed up to 5 visitors during this time.
- Visitors will be allowed outside visiting hours if required to participate in activities such as discharge teaching, significant changes in plans of care and significant new diagnoses.
- For COVID-19 positive patients, visitors must follow full PPE requirements.
- The decision to allow visitors for any situation not covered in this guideline will be made following a review by the area director or ANS during off-hours.
General visiting guidelines for adult & pediatrics emergency department patients:
- All patients and visitors are screened when entering the ED.
- If the visitor passes screening requirements, a visitor sticker and mask will be provided to them.
- Visitors that do not pass the screening process will not be allowed entry to the facility.
- One (1) visitor will be allowed with each patient for the duration of their visit.
- All other visitors will be asked to go home or wait outside.
- Visitors must stay in the room, not use any common spaces including the cafeteria, and comply with all SHC instructions, including personal protective equipment, hand hygiene and other infection prevention requirements, masking and social distancing protocols must be followed.
- If patient is a PUI or COVID positive, use of technology should be considered prior to offering in person visitation.
- Visitation may be delayed or refused based on the care needs of the patient.
- Children under the age of 16 are not allowed as visitors.
- If a patient is being admitted or transferred to a unit outside of the 500P Adult ED or 300P Pediatric ED, then visitation guidelines for the receiving unit will be enforced at the time of patient transport to the receiving unit.
Exception to visiting rules:
- For patients under 18 years of age, the one (1) allowed visitor should be a parent or legal guardian. If the parent/guardian must leave (e.g. for child care of other children, etc.), then they may swap out with another parent/guardian once per 24-hour period.
- Patients at end of life will be allowed up to 3 visitors during this time.
- The decision to allow visitors for any situation not covered in this guideline will be made following a review by the ED Charge RN in consult with the Manager on call.
- If the patient is boarding, due to lack on inpatient beds, one (1) visitor at a time will be allowed during designated visiting hours, with a maximum of two (2) visitors in any 24-hour period.
- One parent/guardian per day allowed for patients under the age of 18
- One adult allowed to be present with patients who do not have/are not suspected of having COVID-19 and are at the end of their life
- One support person allowed to be present with patients with physical, intellectual, or development disabilities and/or cognitive impairments when deemed medically necessary
- One caregiver who needs training to care for patients at home
Please talk with the patient’s care team for details.
Those visitors admitted must follow all required precautions to prevent patients and staff from exposure, including:
- Will be met at the facility entrance by a staff member and screened for symptoms prior to entry
- Must be asymptomatic for COVID-19 and not be a suspected or recently confirmed case
- Will be provided a mask and must wear it at all times
- Will be escorted to the unit by a staff member
- Must stay in the room and comply with SHC instructions on personal protective equipment and hand hygiene
- May leave the room and return once during their visit
- Are expected to leave the hospital after their visit (i.e. not spend the night)
On behalf of our staff and patients, we thank you for your understanding and compliance.
Revised on 06/01/2020