Modifications to adult outpatient visitor guidelines coming Nov. 16

We continue our safety precautions inside the direct-patient care setting because of our commitment to safety for our patients, many of whom have serious illness. As we continue to see decreases in the level of COVID-19 transmission in our community, however, we’re now able to safely make modifications to our outpatient visitor restrictions.

Effective Wednesday, Nov. 16:

Adult outpatients (arriving for a clinic visit, then returning home):

General visitor requirements:

  • Visitors must be healthy and not exhibit symptoms of a contagious illness.
  • Visitors will be screened upon arrival.
  • Number of visitors for outpatients will be verified by age through Epic.
  • Visitors must be able to wear a face mask.
  • Visitors will be asked to stay in designated areas as much as possible.
  • Visitors should be a support person who is essential for the physical and/or mental well-being of the patient (for minors—should have a substantial relationship to the patient such as child of the patient, sibling of the patient, or an equivalently close relationship)
  • Exceptions outside of the visitation guidelines are maintained at the unit/clinic level.

We recognize that we are holding ourselves to a high standard by continuing to enforce our visiting guidelines. Our regulatory agencies hold us to a high standard, too. Given this and the amount of people in our buildings every day, it’s important to continue these safety practices to keep our patients, their families, and our teams safe.

5 comments

  2. Hi Darla,

    Yes, these approved visitors must be entered in Epic prior to the patient’s appointment.

    Tanner
    Internal Communications

    • Since everyone is essentially allowed a visitor now, will you consider waiving the need to enter “approved visitor”? This will just save a step for staff at the outset, and save stress to the patient and the check-in staff if it was not entered before patient arrival.

  3. The updated visitor restrictions state two different things for the 18-21 age group, depending on adult vs. pediatric. Is this correct, and if so, could it list what qualifies Adult vs. Pediatric if not the age of the patient?

    Adult outpatients (arriving for a clinic visit, then returning home):
    Two visitors/support persons are allowed for patients aged 18–21.
    Pediatric outpatients (arriving for a clinic visit, then returning home):
    One visitor/support person is allowed for patients aged 18–21.

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