Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest updates and how to get care. Or use the virtual assistant below right to check symptoms.
Please visit California Department of Public Health’s MyTurn website, where you can schedule a vaccination appointment at a time and location that is convenient for you.
If you are a Dignity Health Medical Group – Saint Francis/St. Mary’s patient please visit their website to learn which priority groups are being vaccinated and how to schedule a vaccination. If you are a Hill Physicians Medical Group Patient visit their website to learn which priority groups are being vaccinated and how to schedule a vaccination. These websites are updated frequently.
Drop-in testing for COVID-19 is available for current and previous patients of St. Mary's Medical Center who have one or more COVID-19 symptoms and/or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Drop-in testing is available Monday - Friday from 10-10:30 a.m. Please check in at the St. Mary's Medical Center Front Lobby entrance.
Patients experiencing a medical emergency, inpatients and patients undergoing surgical/invasive/diagnostic procedures may also receive testing for COVID-19 at our hospital (Click “View Testing Information” for details).
View Testing Information
We continue to stay in close contact with the county department of health to determine the best way to care for an unprecedented surge of critically ill COVID-19 patients. If the number of patients exceeds our resources, and there are no alternate care sites available, we may need to implement triage guidelines so that limited resources are used equitably and consistent with national standards.
Triaging care during a crisis situation is the most difficult decision any care team has to make. At Dignity Health, triage guidelines are based on the unequivocal principle that we treat all patients with dignity and respect.
View our Crisis Response Guidelines
We want to assure the community that St. Mary’s Medical Center is closely monitoring all developments with COVID-19 and we are prepared to identify, isolate, and treat any potential patient who seeks care at our facility. We are in contact with local and state health officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our staff is following the latest guidance from these public health agencies. St. Mary’s Medical Center has the supplies and equipment needed to effectively manage the care of any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients and we are continuously assessing the volume of supplies at our hospital. The safety of our patients, employees, and physicians remains our highest priority.
Here are some important steps we’ve taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community:
We’re offering free virtual care visits from the convenience and safety of your own home for anyone exhibiting mild COVID-19 symptoms such as low-grade fever, cough, or respiratory problems. Schedule remote visits for same day appointments, well and sick care, and mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Meet with one of our doctors from anywhere, right on your device. Find a provider that offers video visits.
If your symptoms are severe such as high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, call 911, or visit your nearest ER.
The following websites also offer up-to-date information about COVID-19:
Visitors are required to wear a hospital issued mask.
No cloth masks are allowed.
Visitors should limit movement throughout the facility. Walk directly to and from the patient’s room. Refrain from walking unnecessarily around the hallways.
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. All visitors must be at least 13 years old. For patients under the age of 18, the minor must be accompanied by an adult (>18 years old).
Admitted patients (excluding COVID+ patients) may have two visitors at a time between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. After hours visitation will be considered in special circumstances.
Exceptions for non-COVID-19 patients listed below must be authorized by the nursing supervisor.
1. Pediatrics: May have two visitors. One continuous visitor (parent or guardian) may be allowed after hours upon approval of the nursing supervisor.
2. Patients with Cognitive Impairments; and/or Physical, Intellectual, Developmental Disabilities: One continuous visitor may be allowed after hours upon approval of the nursing supervisor.
3. End-of-Life:
End-of-Life is defined as:
End-of-life visitation:
Outpatient/Testing/Surgery/Procedures/Cath Lab/Infusion: One support person/visitor may accompany the patient. They must remain in a designated waiting area and cannot wait in the patient's room/space unless instructed by staff.
Rally Family Services: Visitors should contact the Rally Family Services Department Department for current visitation guidelines.
Behavioral Health Unit: Visitors should contact the Behavioral Health Department for current visitation guidelines.
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: two visitors may be allowed at the bedside upon request to the unit/ floor staff. More than two visitors may be allowed 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.
All patients may request virtual visitation via the patient’s or family’s personal devices or through hospital-provided technology
All visitors are encouraged to self screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entering the facility. Anyone who has flu-like symptoms will be asked to leave and may return once recovered and 24-hours afebrile. If you’ve had a recent positive COVID-19 test, if you have any COVID-19 symptoms or if you have been exposed to COVID-19, please consider visiting another time.
Visitors are no longer required to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours.
*Note that this policy is subject to change depending on the community rate of infection and guidance from the city and county of San Francisco.
