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Visitor Policy

As the number of patients with COVID-19 has begun to increase again, for the protection of our patients, providers and employees, Norton Healthcare has made the difficult decision to further limit visitors for the time being. Please carefully review this policy before you plan a visit.

What’s New

• During labor and delivery, maternity patients now may have one designated support person and a properly credentialed doula.
• Maternity patients in antepartum and postpartum units now may have one designated support person in their room at any time, including overnight. This support person may remain for the entire stay and can leave and return once per day. One support person may be designated for the length of the patient’s stay.
• All adult inpatients, except those in isolation, at Norton Healthcare hospitals may have one designated visitor in their room at any time, including overnight.
• Obstetrics patients can have one visitor age 18 or older at their anatomy ultrasound. Otherwise, only patients will be allowed at appointments.

Important Information for All Visitors

• All visitors should arrive wearing a mask. All visitors will be screened when entering a Norton Healthcare facility. Those with fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, body aches or respiratory symptoms will not be allowed entry.
• All visitors should wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or apply hand sanitizer when entering and leaving patient rooms.
• Any visitor must stay in the patient’s room the entire time of the visit. Once the visitor leaves the patient’s room, they must leave the facility.
• We reserve the right to deny visitation to those not willing to follow our processes, which are designed for the safety of our patients, team members and visitors.

Hospitals

• At this time, we are not allowing visitors age 17 or younger.
• All adult inpatients, except those in isolation, at Norton Healthcare hospitals may have one designated visitor in their room at any time, including overnight.
• Adult patients in isolation may not have a visitor.
• During labor and delivery, maternity patients now may have one designated support person and a properly credentialed doula.
• Maternity patients in antepartum and postpartum units now may have one designated support person in their room at any time, including overnight. This support person may remain for the entire stay and can leave and return once per day. One support person may be designated for the length of the patient’s stay.
  • Exceptions for long-term patients in an antepartum unit may be made for special circumstances.
• Patients at the end of life may have two visitors simultaneously.
• Pediatric patients:
  • Patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may have two visitors who are parents or guardians. One parent or guardian can stay overnight.
  • Children who test positive for COVID-19 or for whom a COVID-19 test is pending may have one parent or guardian visitor. The visitor must not have COVID-19.
• Clergy: We welcome clergy for patients in palliative care, emergency care and hospice care.
• Visitors may bring a meal or snack for themselves. 

Emergency Departments

• Adult patients may have one person accompany them into the facility.
• Adult patients in isolation may not have a person accompany them, unless a special exception is granted.
• Pediatric patients at Norton Children’s Hospital may have two parents/guardians per child accompany them in the waiting room and exam room.
• At Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, one parent/guardian may accompany the child in the waiting room. If the child is taken to an exam room, a second parent/guardian may accompany the child in the exam room.

Doctors’ Offices and Outpatient Medical Center Appointments

• Patients should wait in their vehicles or outside the office and call or text the office before coming in.
• All patients (and parents/guardians of pediatric patients) should arrive wearing a mask and will complete a health screening prior to their appointment.
• Adult patients cannot be accompanied into their appointment.
• Obstetric patients:
  • Obstetrics patients can have one visitor age 18 or older at their anatomy ultrasound. Otherwise, only patients will be allowed at appointments.
• If a patient needs additional support, they should let their provider know prior to their appointment.
• Pediatric patients:
  • May have one parent or guardian in the exam room. If necessary for the well-being of the child, two adults will be allowed. Siblings should not accompany the patient, with the exception of a sibling guardian.
  • May have two visitors (parents/guardians) in an outpatient unit.

Inpatient and Outpatient Surgeries and Procedures

• Adult patients having a procedure or surgery may have one person accompany them into the facility and for discharge instructions.
• Pediatric patients having a procedure or surgery may have two parents or guardians accompany them into the facility and for discharge instructions.
• All patients and visitors should arrive wearing a mask and will complete a health screening when entering the facility.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Please contact your provider if you have any questions.

For more information about COVID-19, visit NortonHealthcare.com/COVID-19.