Geisinger updates visitation policies

DANVILLE, Pa. – As Geisinger thoughtfully and carefully resumes operations at our clinics, hospitals and outpatient centers, we are updating our visitation policy. The health and safety of all our patients, members, visitors and employees remains the top priority as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

After careful consideration, we are temporarily modifying routine, in-person visits to our hospitalized patients. We continue to encourage everyone to use alternative ways of interacting, including phone calls, Facetime, Skype and other means, if possible.

Inpatient visitation remains limited
We know that sometimes it’s crucial to have a visitor or family member present, including after a surgery or procedure. Visitors will be allowed for:

• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures (one single-time visitor immediately after the procedure)
• Patients who are medically unstable (one visitor)
• Patients who are at the end of life (two visitors)
• Delivering mothers (one support person)
• Patients who are minors and those with limited decisional capacity (up to two parents or guardians)
• Patients who have altered mental status, an intellectual, developmental or cognitive disability or a communication barrier (one visitor)
• Patients with disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care (one visitor)

Approved visitors are subject to the following guidelines:

• Be 18 years of age or older and in good health
• Bring a form of identification
• Not have symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, recent loss of taste or smell or flu-like illness suggestive of COVID-19
• Not have active COVID-19 infection
• Be symptom-free for at least 14 days if they previously had active COVID-19 infection
• Complete health screening, including a temperature check, at the entrance before entry
• Wear a mask at all times while in the facility
• Respect social distancing guidelines of 6 feet from all others
• Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering and after leaving a patient’s room
• Use the same entrance for entry into and exit from the hospital
• Identify themselves and stay in designated areas (not travel throughout the facility)

Patients who have an appointment at a Geisinger clinic, laboratory or radiology, as well as those visiting the Emergency Department, may have one person accompany them, if necessary.

Additional information about Geisinger’s visitation policy, including guidance on visitation hours at each hospital can be found here. 

About Geisinger
Geisinger is committed to making better health easier for the more than 1 million people it serves. Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes 10 hospital campuses, a health plan with more than half a million members, a research institute and the Geisinger College of Health Sciences, which includes schools of medicine, nursing and graduate education. With more than 25,000 employees and 1,700+ employed physicians, Geisinger boosts its hometown economies in Pennsylvania by billions of dollars annually. Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.