January 7 Update: To protect the health and safety of our patients and care teams, Allina Health has updated our visitor guidelines. As we continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, the visitor guidelines will be updated as needed to help keep patients, staff and you safe. Check back often for the most current guidelines. More information and any exceptions to these updated guidelines are explained below.

ONE visitor per patient, per day, is allowed when St. Francis' visitor status is YELLOW.

Inpatient (hospital stay for treatment, surgery or a procedure)

Yellow Status:

From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., one visitor for each patient will be allowed each day. Any variations to the following list of exceptions must be approved by the supervisor.

• Adult patients: One visitor is allowed before a patient’s surgery and can return after the surgery. The visitor can wait in the waiting room or the patient’s room (if available).
  • If the waiting room is full, visitors may be asked to wait outside the building.

• Pediatric patients: Two parents or legal guardians for each patient will be allowed in the room. Parents or legal guardians may stay overnight according to the usual policy.

Outpatient (Same-day treatment, surgery or procedure)

Yellow status:

• Adult patients: One visitor is allowed before a patient’s surgery and can return after the surgery. The visitor can wait in the waiting room or the patient’s room (if available).
  • If the waiting room is full, visitors may be asked to wait outside the building.
• Pediatric patients: Two parents or legal guardians may visit before and after surgery. Visitors can wait in the waiting room or the patient’s room (if available).

Emergency Department (ED)

Yellow status:

• One visitor for each patient is allowed.
• Pediatric patients may have two visitors (parents or legal guardians).
• If the waiting room is full, visitors may be asked to wait outside the building.

Labor and delivery, and newborns

Yellow status:

One support person is allowed. This includes triage, labor, delivery and post-partum areas. In addition to one support person, a certified doula will be allowed for support only during labor and delivery. Learn more about the birth center support person guidelines.

Newborns: No visitors other than two parents, guardians, primary caretakers, or intended parents in surrogate birth. Exceptions will be considered for compassionate care.

Compassionate care exceptions

Yellow status:

Compassionate care exceptions are made for patients who:

• are actively dying
• have sudden decline in medical condition
• are having surgery

Case-by-case exceptions are made with the clinical team, patient care manager, house supervisor, or all. Consideration may be given to patients who have extended length of stays.

Mental health care

Yellow status:

No visitors are allowed for patients receiving mental health care. The following are the exceptions to this guideline as conditions allow:

• Child and adolescent patients: Two parents or legal guardians will be allowed.
• Adult geriatric-psychiatry patients: One legal guardian will be allowed.
• Patients who require help due to an impairment or disability: One legal guardian will be allowed.

Discharge planning (leaving the hospital)

Yellow status:

A caregiver may need to help when a patient is ready to go home. Discharge planning is important to maintain patient safety.

• One visitor for each patient is allowed to help with the discharge process.
• The patient care manager or designee can help decide which caregiver can visit and when is the best time for the visit.
• In most cases, discharge planning happens on the day the patient is going home.

Visitor guidelines (for limited exceptions)

If you qualify for a visitor exception, these guidelines must be followed:

• You will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and must pass the screening to visit a patient. If you leave the building you must show your screening sticker or be re-screened to re-enter.
• You must wear a mask, visitor badge and screening sticker at all times during your visit.
• You must have good hand hygiene and practice physical distancing during the visit. Hand sanitizer is located at all building entrances and on patient care units.
• If the waiting room is full, you may be asked to wait outside the building.
• You should visit only the patient’s room and avoid other areas. You may be asked to step out of the room during an exam or treatment.

Visitors under the age of 18 will only be allowed if a compassionate exception has been granted.

For family and friends

It is difficult when a loved a family member or friend is in the hospital and you are not able to visit them. During these difficult times, the support you can provide will look different, but this is important to help keep everyone safe.

Tips for staying connected with a family member or friend when they are in the hospital:

For more information from Allina Health, click here.

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