Patient Visitation Guidelines

 

To protect patients and our staff from the spread of COVID-19, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center have updated the patient visitation guidelines.

Visitors are required to wear a hospital issued mask (no cloth masks) in patient care areas. 

  • A patient care area is defined as a unit where patient care is delivered, a patient room or patient treatment or exam rooms.

Visitors should limit movement throughout the facility. Walk directly to and from the patient’s room. Refrain from walking unnecessarily around the hallways.

For patients or visitors under the age of 18, the minor must be accompanied by an adult (>18 years of old).

Admitted Patients (excluding COVID+ patients) may have a maximum of two visitors at a time between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. After hours visitation will be considered in special circumstances. 

  • After hours: The nursing supervisor must be notified of any visitors who are approved by unit leadership to stay after hours. Overnight is defined as hours outside normal visiting hours. 

Patients with scheduled procedures may be accompanied by one or two visitors/care givers at a time for the duration of their procedure. 

  • St. Mary’s Medical Center lobby is closed on the weekends.
    • If the main lobby or Level C entrances are closed, visitors may enter at Level A.
  • Saint Francis Memorial Hospital lobby is open every day during visiting hours. 
    • If the main lobby is closed, visitors may enter through the emergency room.

Rally Family Services: Visitors should contact the Rally Family Services Department for current visitation guidelines.

Behavioral Health Unit: Visitors should contact the Behavioral Health Department for current visitation guidelines. 

Visitation for COVID+ Patients

No in-person visitation is allowed for non-critically ill COVID+ patients. An exemption can be made for critically ill COVID+ patients, with approval from a unit leader or nursing supervisor. 

  • COVID+ end-of-life patients or specific patients with safety concerns: one or two visitors may be allowed at the bedside upon request to the unit/ floor staff.
    • More than two visitors may be allowed for end-of-life patients based on the size of the room and patient acuity upon approval from the nursing supervisor. 
    • An informed conversation must occur with the visitor and the designated hospital clinical staff (e.g., physician, RN, nursing supervisor, respiratory therapist) that outlines the risks, benefits and alternatives to an in-person visit. 
    • Goals of care arrangements and family meetings must be arranged by Palliative Care and Intensivist/Hospitalist. The number of personnel at the meeting may increase beyond the two-person visitation limit as long as universal masking and social distancing are followed. 
  • Visitors should not be present in the room with a COVID-19+ patient during an aerosol-generating procedure. 
  • To enter the patient’s room, visitors will be be provided with approved PPE
    • All PPE donning and removal must be supervised by a clinical observer. 

Virtual Visitation

All patients may request virtual visitation via the patient’s or family’s personal devices or through hospital-provided technology.

Visitor Screening and Vaccination

All visitors are encouraged to self-screen for COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms prior to entering the facility. If you’ve had a recent positive COVID-19 test, have any COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms or have recently been exposed to COVID-19 or the flu, please visit another time.

*Note that this guidance is subject to change depending on the community rate of infection and guidance from the city and county of San Francisco.