Ethan Rhodes
Pennsylvania hospitals have implemented various visitor policies, which differ depending on the hospital and the department in question. For example, Penn Highlands hospitals in DuBois, PA, generally do not permit visitors, except for one support person per non-COVID-19 patient, who must remain the same for the entire length of the stay. In contrast, Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville, PA, allows two visitors per patient, while Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia permits two healthy visitors per inpatient. The Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute encourages visitation but reserves the right to restrict it based on medical considerations, and patients can also decline visitors. Duke Health hospitals allow up to four visitors per patient, with one in the clinical area, and minors must be accompanied by an adult.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of visitors allowed | 1-2 visitors |
| Visitor health requirements | Must be healthy, wear masks, and comply with other COVID-19 safety precautions |
| Visitor restrictions | No weapons, no smoking, no aggressive behavior |
| Visitor badges | Required for entry into certain units |
| Visitation hours | 9 am–8 pm |
| Overnight stays | Limited to 1-2 parent/guardian/supportive adults |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 safety precautions: One support person for non-COVID patients
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals in Pennsylvania have had to implement safety precautions to protect patients, providers, and the community. One such precaution has been the restriction of visitors and the implementation of the "one support person for non-COVID patients" policy.
Penn Highlands Healthcare, for example, restricted visitation at all of its hospitals, allowing no visitors except for one support person for non-COVID patients. This support person must comply with screening and temperature checks and wear a mask. Similar restrictions were in place at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) hospitals, where visitors were expected to be healthy and not exhibit any respiratory or gastrointestinal illness symptoms or recent exposure to COVID-19. Face masks were also required for visitors.
At the time, UPMC Memorial allowed two visitors per patient, and Allegheny Health Network hospitals allowed one visitor during visitation hours for inpatient, observation, surgery, and emergency department patients.
For maternity cases, mothers giving birth could be accompanied by one or two healthy support persons, depending on the hospital. In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), only the baby's mother and one other co-caregiver or significant other were allowed to enter, with only one visitor at a time.
These precautions were put in place to balance the need for patient support and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Maternity wards: One or two companions allowed
In general, hospitals in Pennsylvania have different visitation policies. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals have restricted visitation and allowed only one support person per non-COVID-19 patient.
Woman's Hospital allows a maximum of four visitors to be present while a patient is in labour and recovering in a Labour and Delivery room. However, only two visitors are allowed in the Prep/Recovery room, and only two adult visitors are permitted in the Labour and Delivery operating room. In addition, minors are allowed to visit the Labour and Delivery room under adult supervision. The delivering physician may limit the number of people in the Labour and Delivery room at their discretion.
At Penn Highlands, mothers giving birth may be accompanied by one companion.
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Pediatric units: One parent/guardian allowed
In Pennsylvania, hospitals have varying policies regarding visitation rights for pediatric units. For instance, Penn Highlands Healthcare hospitals in DuBois, Brookville, Clearfield, DuBois West, DuBois East, Elk, and Huntingdon restricted visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing only one support person per non-COVID patient. Similarly, the Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) hospitals allowed only one visitor per day for patients in the adolescent behavioral health unit.
In the case of neonatal intensive care units (NICU), only one visitor is allowed at a time, either the mother or a designated co-caregiver. At Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH), overnight accommodations are limited to two parents or guardians, as long as patient care is not affected.
Some hospitals, such as Phoenixville Hospital, allow two visitors per patient, while others, like UPMC Memorial, limit visitation to two visitors per patient in the ICU. It is important to note that hospitals generally require all visitors to adhere to infection prevention precautions, which may include wearing masks, gowns, and gloves.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals implemented additional safety measures, such as restricting visitation to non-COVID patients and requiring visitors to undergo screening, temperature checks, and mask-wearing. These precautions were put in place to protect patients, providers, and the community.
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Behavioral health units: One visitor per day
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals in Pennsylvania have had to restrict visitation to protect patients, providers, and the community. While hospitals remain cautious, they have returned to providing elective procedures, and some have updated their visitor policies.
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) hospitals have specific guidelines for behavioral health units. In adolescent behavioral health units, patients are permitted daily visits from one visitor. In the adult behavioral health units, one visitor per day is allowed on assigned days, with BH1 and BH2 alternating visitation days. All visitors, including parents, must obtain a visitor's badge at the hospital's welcome or security desk before entering the women's and children's units. This badge is only valid for the day it is issued. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and no more than three visitors are allowed at the patient's bedside.
It is important to note that hospitals have the right to restrict visitation if clinically necessary or if there are concerns for the safety of patients, staff, or other visitors. Visitor guidelines may also include health screenings, temperature checks, and the requirement to wear masks, gowns, and gloves to prevent infections.
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Visitor requirements: Must be healthy and comply with screening and temperature checks
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals in Pennsylvania have been cautious about allowing visitors. While hospitals remain operational, they have restricted visitation to protect patients, providers, and the community.
To ensure the safety of patients, staff, and other visitors, hospitals have implemented guidelines for visitors. Visitors are expected to be healthy and refrain from visiting if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness, particularly respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses, or if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or other infectious diseases.
At Penn Highlands Healthcare hospitals, visitors are restricted, but one support person per non-COVID-19 patient is allowed. Visitors must comply with screening and temperature checks and wear a mask. Similar protocols are in place at other hospitals, such as Lehigh Valley Health Network, where visitors are required to follow infection prevention precautions, including wearing masks, gowns, and gloves as necessary.
Hospitals like Pennsylvania Hospital also emphasize the importance of visitor health, allowing only healthy visitors during specified hours. They advise visitors exhibiting any symptoms of illness to refrain from visiting to protect patient health.
These measures are crucial to maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved. By adhering to these requirements, visitors play a vital role in contributing to the healing process for hospitalized patients, providing them with support, encouragement, and comfort.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, visitors are allowed in hospitals in Pennsylvania, with some restrictions. For example, Penn Highlands hospitals allow one support person per non-COVID-19 patient, and Phoenixville Hospital allows two visitors per patient.
Visitors must wear a pass at all times, and may only visit in designated visitation areas. Visitors must also comply with the hospital's code of conduct, which includes wearing shoes and a shirt, and being respectful to patients and staff.
Yes, there are some exceptions. For example, minors having surgery may be accompanied by one parent, and end-of-life care patients may receive visitors.
Yes, some hospitals in Pennsylvania do not allow visitors. For example, Penn Highlands hospitals do not allow visitors for surgery patients, and the nursing homes Penn Highlands Jefferson Manor and Penn Highlands Elk Pinecrest Manor are restricting all visitors.
