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 among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the non-profit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 134 care sites - including 10 hospital campuses, and Geisinger Health Plan, with 600,000 members in commercial and government plans. The Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $14 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country.  Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.