Patients and Visitors

As a patient and family-centered care organization, Memorial Healthcare System recognizes the need for patients and their families to stay in touch during a hospital stay. Given that COVID-19 is a global pandemic and a highly infectious disease, Memorial had to take precautionary steps to preserve the well-being of our patients, staff, and physicians by restricting its visitation policy to prevent unnecessary exposure. This allows us to continue our life-saving efforts in the battle against COVID-19.

We remain grateful for our community’s patience and understanding during this time of uncertainty. Our clinical teams will work collaboratively with families to ensure they remain informed about their loved one during a hospital stay.

If you are planning a visit to a resident at Memorial Manor click here for more information.

Updated Visitor Policy

Visitation guidelines will be re-evaluated based on the positivity rates of newly admitted patients, and community information found in COVID Act Now. 

Visitor Guidelines During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hours of visitation are open. We ask visitors to follow the restrictions and guidelines below. Please note the main entrances at the hospitals are closed beginning at 8 pm, which is during the evening quiet time at the facilities. There are other alternate entrances and exits after 8 pm.

Active Visitation Level

Severe Risk — Extremely limited visitation

Patient Type COVID-19
Positive Patient		 COVID-19
Negative Patient
Hospitalized No visitation No visitation
Hospitalized Critical Care (ICU) No visitation No visitation
End-of-life Compassionate
visit*		 Up to one visitor at the discretion of leadership; times may be variable based on the patient's clinical status. (Unvaccinated visitors are permitted)
Outpatient No visitation No visitation
Emergency No visitation No visitation
Hospitalized Behavioral Health No visitation No visitation
Labor and Delivery

 No visitation One visitor per patient may be allowed within the facility with special guidance. (unvaccinated visitors are permitted).
Pediatric One designated parent/guardian
  • One parent/caregiver per patient is allowed in the Emergency Department and for outpatient and physician office appointments.
  • One parent/caregiver per patient is recommended in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Two caregivers will be allowed based on unit policy & infection control guidelines. Please use the main entrance of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital when visiting the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
  • One parent/caregiver per patient will be permitted in the procedural/surgical area. No siblings will be permitted.
Special Needs Population No visitation One visitor 

*One designated visitor allowed at the discretion of the care team

Active Visitation Level

High Risk — Limited visitation allowed

 
Patient Type COVID-19 Positive
Patient		 COVID-19 Negative
Patient
Hospitalized Compassionate visit* One visitor (regardless of vaccination) will be allowed without time limitation.
Note: For patients in semi-private rooms, visitation will be restricted to one visitor per room at one time.
Hospitalized Critical Care (ICU) Compassionate visit* One visitor based on the determination from the medical team and at the discretion of leadership & times may be variable based on the patient’s clinical status.
End-of-life Compassionate visit* Up to two visitors at the discretion of leadership; times may be variable based on the patient's clinical status.
Outpatient No visitation No visitation
Emergency No visitation No visitation
Labor and Delivery No visitation One visitor per patient may be allowed within the facility with special guidance.
Special Needs Population No visitation One visitor per patient may be allowed within the facility with special guidance.
Hospitalized Behavioral Health No visitation One visitor per patient can access the Behavioral Health Building from 4 to 5 pm daily (Unvaccinated Visitors are Permitted). No visitation within the psychiatric emergency department.
Acute Rehabilitation No visitation One fully vaccinated visitor per patient may be allowed within the facility with special guidance. 
Pediatric One designated parent/guardian
  • Hospitalized patients and NICU: Two caregiver per patient are allowed at the bedside 24/7. No siblings allowed in inpatient settings (exceptions case by case)
  • Emergency Department: Two caregiver per patient are allowed at the bedside 24/7
  • All hospital-based outpatient: This will include Wellington, Miramar, etc. (surgical services, imaging, infusion therapy, EEG, sleep lab, etc.) . One caregiver per patient. Two siblings permitted in outpatient settings at this time 
  • Physician office appointments: Two caregiver per patient

 

Active Visitation Level

Medium Risk —  Expanded but limited visitation

 
Patient Type COVID-19 Positive
Patient		 COVID-19 Negative
Patient
Hospitalized One visitor will be allowed; see specific guidelines below.* One visitor will be allowed for each inpatient without time restriction.
Note: For patients in semi-private rooms, visitation will be restricted to one visitor per room at one time.
Hospitalized Critical Care (ICU) One visitor will be allowed* One visitor based on the determination from the medical team & times may be variable based on the patient’s clinical status.
End-of-life One visitor will be allowed* Two visitors at the discretion of leadership; times may be variable based on the patient's clinical status.
Outpatient surgery and MPG Physician appointments One visitor will be allowed* One visitor regardless of vaccination will be allowed without time restriction.
Adult Emergency Department One visitor will be allowed* One visitor regardless of vaccination will be allowed.
Labor and Delivery One visitor will be allowed* Two visitor per patient may be allowed within the facility with special guidance.
Special Needs Population   One visitor will be allowed* Two visitor per patient may be allowed within the facility with special guidance.
Acute Rehabilitation One visitor will be allowed* Two visitor per patient may be allowed within the facility with specialized guidance.
Hospitalized Behavioral Health   One visitor per patient can access the Behavioral Health Building. The length of the visitation time is subject to change, dependent on the need for social distancing and space availability.  All visitors and patients must remain in the assigned area/room during visitation. No food or liquid beverages may be brought into Behavioral Health at this time
Pediatric Children with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 will be allowed one adult caregiver at a time who has cleared the screening process. 
  • Hospitalized patients and NICU: Two caregiver per patient are allowed at the bedside 24/7. No siblings allowed in inpatient settings (exceptions case by case)
  • Pediatric Emergency Departments: Two caregiver per patient are allowed at the bedside 24/7
  • All Outpatient Services: Outpatient surgical services, imaging, infusion therapy, EEG, sleep lab, etc. two caregiver per patient. 
  • Two siblings will be permitted in outpatient settings excluding procedural areas
  • Physician office appointments (MPG): Two caregiver per patient

 

Active Visitation Level

Low Risk — Normal visitation policy

Visitors are allowed to visit. They will be screened and must follow universal mask requirements and visiting guidelines.

Hospital Visiting Guidelines:

  • All visitors will be screened upon entrance and must wear properly fitting mask throughout their visit to the facility.
  • Visitors must remain within the patient room for the entirety of their visit.
  • Visitors should not visit the cafeteria, gift shop, or other common areas of the hospital.
  • Visitors should exit the hospital immediately upon leaving the patient’s room.
  • Visitors must comply with Memorial's Infection Control and Personal Protective Equipment guidelines including any further gowns, gloves, and hand hygiene required. 
  • Memorial Healthcare System may suspend in-person visitation of a specific visitor if the visitor violates Memorial's guidelines and procedures.

Visitors will not be allowed to visit if they have any of the following:

  • Do not meet the current visitation exception criteria
  • Any symptoms consistent with COVID-19
  • A temperature greater than 100.0 F
  • Active COVID-19 infection

Visitation Guidance for COVID+ positive patients

  • Visitation inside a room is not permitted during Aerosol Generating Procedures (i.e., extubation). Visitation can occur 30 minutes after the procedure is completed. If continuous AGP occurs (i.e., CPAP), the visitor can observe from outside the room if possible. 
  • Visitors will be escorted to the COVID unit by a Memorial team Member and will be provided a KN95 if available or a procedural mask immediately upon arrival. A visitor may bring a personal N95 or KN95. Gaiters and masks with exhalation valves are not permitted.
  • Once on the unit, a Memorial team member will assist the visitor in performing hand hygiene and donning PPE including gloves, gown, and face shield. If visitor is unable to be compliant with PPE, they will be escorted out of the facility by Security.
  • After the visit is complete, a Memorial team member will assist the visitor in performing hand hygiene and doffing PPE and escort them to the hospital exit immediately upon leaving the patient’s room. 
  • Visitors are not permitted to visit the cafeteria, gift shop, or other common areas of the hospital. 

Essential caregivers

All patients may designate a visitor who is a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an essential caregiver. Essential caregivers will be allowed for at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized by Memorial Healthcare System.