Visitor Restrictions

Ongoing Visitor Restrictions Due to Respiratory Illnesses

Masking guidelines are being changed to reflect lower rates of respiratory infection among our community, patients and staff.  However, to protect vulnerable patients receiving care in our hospitals and clinics, Deaconess will continue to require masking in certain areas and limit visitors within our facilities. 

Patient safety remains a priority, as patients may have a choice about whether to go to the grocery store, church or gatherings, but they do not have a choice about receiving medical care.

Infection Prevention & Control staff and hospital leadership will continue to closely monitor for signs of increased spread of illness among patients and staff.  If respiratory infection rates increase, masking may be reinstated in more areas.

Current Visitor Guidelines
Effective March 21, 2023
Visitation Summary

As has been the case during prior flu and respiratory illness seasons, Deaconess is limiting visitation to reduce the spread of illness among patients and staff.  

Here are a few key points.  Specific details for each facility are described further below.

• In general, two visitors will be permitted per adult inpatient at any given time during visiting hours.
  • ​(The Women's Hospital and Deaconess Henderson Hospital Women's Services have different guidelines below.) 
• All outpatients may have two visitors with them. (Some departments, such as infusion centers, may further limit visitation to protect high-risk patients.) 
• Masks are required for inpatient staff who are providing direct patient care, as well as some outpatient areas with more vulnerable populations.
• Masking is not required by patients unless they have respiratory symptoms.  
  • However, patients who are immunocompromised, at high risk for severe illness, or in ICU will be asked to wear a mask when leaving their room/being transported.  Visitors of these patients will be required to mask.  
• Visitors are asked to not visit our hospitals if they feel ill or are experiencing respiratory symptoms.
• Appropriate isolation guidelines will remain in place for all visitors of patients who have respiratory illnesses.
• Employees, patients and visitors may choose to wear a mask in any setting at any time.
• No visitors under the age of 14 are permitted except for end-of-life situations.

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work to keep Deaconess a safe place to both receive and provide care.
 

Deaconess Midtown, Gateway, Henderson, Gibson and Union County Hospitals  

Before You Visit

When Can I Visit

• Visiting hours are from 8 AM – 8 PM daily.
• Pediatric patients, and some patients who are cognitively impaired, may have visitors outside of these visiting hours.
• COVID-19 patients are able to have visitors in certain circumstances.  Please talk with the patient’s care team to learn about specific details.

How many people can visit? (inpatient/same-day surgery)

Each inpatient or same-day surgery patient will be permitted TWO visitors age 14+ at any given time during visiting hours.
Exceptions include:

• COVID-19 patients are able to have visitors in certain circumstances.  Please talk with the patient’s care team to learn about specific details.
• End-of-life and other special circumstances will warrant additional visitation. (See “Special Circumstances” below.)
• Patients will be able to receive pastoral care visitors (clergy, chaplains, etc.) Pastoral care visitors will not count as the patient's one visitor that day. 

How many people can visit? (outpatients in the hospital facilities)

Where do I enter?

During visiting hours, visitors may enter only through main entrances of hospitals; Gateway will also screen visitors at the Ortho Neuro Hospital entrance.  

What should I expect when I arrive?

• Visitors will complete a self-screening process upon entering the hospital, and refrain from visiting if they are ill.  
• Visitors of patients who are immunocompromised, at high risk for severe illness, or in ICU will be asked to wear a mask during their patient visit.  

During Your Visit

• Visitors will not be required to wear a mask at all times; however, in some areas, masking will continue to be recommended due to specific patient needs. 

Special Circumstances, Overnight & Emergency Department Visitors 

Special circumstances that may warrant additional visitors include: end-of life, critically ill/injured patient, and/or deterioration of patient status. Special circumstances will be approved and reassessed daily by the patient’s care team/primary RN/ADCO.

End-of-Life

• End-of-life visitors will report to the hospital entrances.
  • If end-of-life visitors must arrive outside visiting hours, they should enter via the Emergency Department.
• For COVID-19 patients, a staff member from the unit will escort the visitor(s) to the unit to discuss PPE and visitor process and time limits.

Staying Overnight

• Visitor(s) approved by the primary RN to stay overnight for special circumstances will be required to obtain a pass each night from security at 8 PM daily.

Emergency Department Visitors

• Patients entering the emergency department will be allowed two visitors unless the patient is placed in isolation, such as patients undergoing COVID-19 testing.  
• If the patient is admitted during visiting hours, two visitors will be allowed to accompany the patient to the room.
• If patient is admitted after visiting hours, no visitation will be permitted unless there are special circumstances, as described above.

 

The Women's Hospital, Deaconess Cross Pointe, Deaconess Clinic/other outpatient facilities are also limiting visitors.
 

 

Outpatient Facility Guidelines

All patients and visitors will be screened at or before check-in.

All outpatients may have two visitors with them.  

Masking is not required by staff, patients or visitors in most areas. 
However, masking should continue in specific care sites:

• Procedural areas (such as endoscopy, interventional radiology, cath lab, pain management, etc.) when providing direct patient care
• Oncology/Infusion Services, due to patients’ immunocompromised state
• Urgent Cares/EXPRESS Clinics, due to volumes of contagious illnesses

Patients with respiratory symptoms will be provided a mask and placed in an appropriate setting.

 

The Women's Hospital
Visitation updates effective March 18, 2023

Following our Respiratory Viral Illness Plan, The Women's Hospital Pandemic Leadership Team reviews COVID-19, flu, and RSV indicators weekly to determine our masking status every Friday. This means that our  masking status can change every week. Please refer to the information sign at the front and OB ED entrance. 

• Masks are required for all who enter the building and must be worn throughout their visit.
• Patients and visitors will be screened upon entry into the facility.
• Hospital patients, including obstetrical inpatients, gynecology surgical patients, and OB-GYN emergency department patients, may have two designated visitors/support persons. 
  • These designated visitors/support persons must be 16 years old or older.  
  • Designated visitors will remain the same throughout the patient’s stay and wrist bands will be utilized to identify designated visitors.  
• Siblings of newborns may visit daily during the hours of 4 PM - 6 PM with ONE additional adult.
• Outpatient/Office Appointments: TWO support persons.
• NICU:  All staff and parents must wear a mask when in the NICU. Both parents may visit together.  No other NICU visitors at this time.
• Clergy may visit patients as appropriate. 

Deaconess Henderson Hospital Women's Services     

• Patients and visitors will be screened upon entry into the facility.  
• Hospital patients, including obstetrical inpatients, gynecology surgical patients, and OB-GYN emergency department patients, may have two designated visitors/support persons. 
• These designated visitors/support persons must be 16 years old or older.  
• Designated visitors will remain the same throughout the patient’s stay and wrist bands will be utilized to identify designated visitors.  
• Siblings of newborns may visit daily during the hours of 4 PM - 6 PM with ONE additional adult.
• Outpatient/Office Appointments: TWO support persons.
• NICU: both parents may visit together.  Masking is required in the NICU. No other NICU visitors at this time.
• Clergy may visit patients as appropriate.

Deaconess Cross Pointe

• All visitors will self-screen for respiratory symptoms and exposure.
• No visitation is allowed if an individual reports respiratory symptoms, is pending test results or is on quarantine due to recent exposure. This includes family members going to a family therapy session. 

Youth Unit

• 2 visitors (parent/guardian) per patient per 24 hour period
• Visitors will go back separately, each in 30 minute increments
• Visiting hours:
  • Monday – Friday 6:15 – 7:15 PM
  • Saturday – Sunday 1 - 2 PM

Adult Units

• 2 visitors per patient per 24 hour period
• Visiting hours:
  • Monday – Friday – 7:30 – 8:30 PM
  • Saturday – Sunday 2:30 – 3:30 PM

Visitors who have questions about Deaconess Cross Pointe visitation should call 812-476-7200 prior to entering.

• Anyone reporting respiratory symptoms and seeking a CARE Team assessment will be directed to complete a phone or virtual assessment.
• CARE Team will coordinate with the Emergency Department to care for a patient with an acute mental health issue and symptoms of COVID-19.

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