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Visitor Policy
Updated on 03/14/22
Stanford Health Care is required to follow the orders of Santa Clara County and the California Department of Public Health
- All hospital visitors of inpatients must show proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination received at least 2 weeks before the visit or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the visit.
- While California’s statewide indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people lifted on February 16, 2022, this does not apply to health care settings. Santa Clara County has also announced that local restrictions will continue. Stanford Health Care will maintain these local restrictions. Masking will remain mandatory indoors for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals and continues to be recommended outdoors in crowded settings. Indoor mask requirements also remain in effect at all Stanford University campus locations.
Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare maintains an independent visitor policy.
Note: The COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, documentation from a health care provider, and digital record that includes a QR code are acceptable forms of vaccination proof. Both antigen and PCR tests will also be accepted.
Non-COVID-19 patients or COVID-19 patients who have been cleared as no longer infectious
General:
- May have 2 healthy visitors a day during visiting hours.
- If a healthy visitor is under the age of 18, they may visit when 1 adult is visiting.
At end of life:
- Up to 2 visitors can visit together. Check with the unit manager on total number of visitors allowed and for how long.
Under the age of 21 and age 85 and older:
- One caregiver may stay with the patient for the duration of the hospital stay
- They may trade with another caregiver once per 24-hour period
Needing support for physical, intellectual, cognitive, or developmental disabilities:
- Caregiver may trade with another person once per 24-hour period
COVID-19 patients
General:
- May have 1 healthy visitor a day during visiting hours.
- Up to 2 visitors can visit together. Check with the unit manager on total number of visitors allowed and for how long.
Under the age of 21 and age 85 and older:
- One caregiver may stay with the patient for the duration of the hospital stay
Patients are allowed one caregiver to come with them to the pre-surgery area only if the patient:
- Is under age 18
- Has disabilities (physical, mental, or developmental)
- Is having a baby in the operating room (caregiver is allowed in OR)
Patients coming to clinic visits may bring 1 caregiver who is aged 16+ with them.
- The caregiver must be healthy and vaccinated or meet current visitor exceptions (i.e. patient is under age 18, has disabilities or at end of life).
- The caregiver may be asked to step outside, if the area becomes too crowded.
Lab and radiology areas may have caregiver limitations due to the space and infection control precautions.
- One healthy adult visitor is permitted to accompany each patient in the emergency department if they meet the following criteria:
- Proof of being fully vaccinated, and two weeks have passed from last vaccination.
- If not fully vaccinated, proof of negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test required withing 48 hours of the visit.
Virtual visits are a good way to support your loved one.
Call Guest Services for help at 650-498-3333.
Visitor Rules
Show identification and give contact information at each visit. Show proof of full vaccine status or a negative test within the last 48 hours. Follow all staff instructions.
Visiting hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. No overnight stays.
Go directly to patient room. No lingering in hallways or waiting areas.
Note: For patients in a shared (semi-private) room, visiting hours and rules may be different.
All entrants must pass screening for COVID-19 symptoms and be healthy. Wear your mask at all times.
Stay 6 feet from others.
Use hand sanitizer when you enter and leave the patient's room. Wash hands often.
Do not eat or drink in patient rooms.
We want to support you and your loved ones at the end of life. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can spread easily and we want to keep you and our staff safe. To support you, staff and your loved ones we have developed some guidelines we ask you to follow. These restrictions are modeled from policies at other health organizations, as well as guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California State Department of Health.
A visit to a loved one with COVID-19 at end-of-life will put you at a higher risk of disease but these risks can be mitigated by following the steps outlined below. If you have any questions, please talk to the nurse taking care of your loved one.
- Talk to your loved one’s nurse about approval to enter the hospital. All visitors entering the hospital must be pre-approved and healthy.
- The number of people allowed in the room at any one time will be limited.
- The amount of time you can stay will also be limited as the longer a visitor spends with an individual who has COVID-19, the greater the risk of getting the virus.
- Once you are outside of the hospital room you will need to work with a nurse to put on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including a gown, gloves, eye protection and a new mask. You must wash your hands or use alcohol sanitizer upon entering and leaving the room and hospital to prevent the spread of disease.
- Although death is a time to support each other with compassion, due to the possibility of transmission, visitors should not hug or physically comfort patients or other family members. The outside of the PPE can become contaminated and could spread disease. Please reserve personal contact among family for only after PPE is taken off, a new mask is on, and hands are washed.
- Once you are in the room you must stay there until you call for a nurse to help you leave or you are asked to leave because a nurse or doctor needs to provide care. Follow the lead of the health care team. There is no food or drink allowed in the room and you will not be able to go in and out of the room or hospital.
- When you leave, a nurse will help you take off the PPE and put on a clean mask. You must immediately exit the hospital after leaving the room.
If you are not able to be in the room or at the bedside we do have ways to connect you through private video or phone calls. The nurse can help or you can call Guest Services at 650-498-3333.