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Patients & Visitors

Whether you are a patient or a visitor, we want your experience at Stephens Memorial Hospital to be as pleasant as possible. The information below should answer many of your questions. And once you arrive, our care team members are here to help in person. We look forward to providing you and your loved ones with a supportive and healing health care experience.

New Visitation Safety Measures - Effective 1/17/22

To help prevent further community spread of COVID-19, we have implemented temporary Visitation Safety Measures at Stephens Memorial Hospital as of January 17, 2022.

Hospital Inpatient Areas (Visit Times to be managed by the Care Team):

  • Pediatrics: One parent/guardian at a time allowed in all areas, provided space is sufficient to achieve compliance with social distancing.
  • Obstetrics: Two, including spouse/coach per day. Doulas also permitted when the obstetrician is aware of their requested presence and they have been part of the prenatal process. Siblings and visitors under the age of 18 are not permitted to visit.
  • All other inpatient areas including Special Care: NO VISITORS. Exceptions may be made at the time of unit admission or for care plan discussions.
  • End of Life in any inpatient area: Up to two people at a time may visit patients at end of life or on comfort care with no restriction on total number of visitors. Visit times to be managed by the care team.

Patient Discharges: Patients will be brought to the appropriate entrance/exit for pick-up.

Outpatient Surgery and Procedural Areas: Visitors are not allowed for adult patients unless the patient is in need of special assistance. Pediatric patients may be accompanied by two parents/guardians, provided space is sufficient to achieve compliance with social distancing. Exceptions may be made in advance for patients who do not live locally, although during the procedure, the visitor will be asked to wait outside and will be called to return upon the completion of the procedure.

Emergency Department (ED): Visitors are not allowed to wait in the ED. Exceptions may be made for care plan discussions as arranged with the care team or for end of life. Pediatric patients may be accompanied by two parents/guardians, provided space is sufficient to achieve compliance with social distancing.

Ambulatory/Diagnostic Areas: Visitors are not allowed for adult patients unless the patient is in need of special assistance. Exceptions include pediatric patients who may be accompanied by two parents/guardians, and obstetrical ultrasound where a patient may be accompanied by one adult visitor, provided space is sufficient to achieve compliance with social distancing.

Patients Requiring Special Assistance: Patients in any care setting who need help, such as with mobility or communications with the care team about their medical history or care, may be assisted by one adult escort to provide the needed assistance or support, such necessity to be determined by the care team.

Screening and Logging of Visitors: All visitors/escorts are subject to screening for COVID-19. Their entrance will be logged, and contain the date, visitor(s) name, and contact information for contract tracing as needed. Visitor tags should be provided and worn by the visitor(s).

Visitors/Escorts that screen positive or enter with respiratory symptoms will NOT allowed to enter Stephens Memorial Hospital facilities.

All visitors and escorts must:

  1. Perform hand hygiene prior to entering and upon leaving the patient’s room/care area
  2. Wear a procedural mask at all times while in the facility
  3. Not go to any locations in the facility other than the room of the patient they are visiting
  4. May leave and re-enter the facility provided they are otherwise meeting the guidelines above

Visitors are not permitted for Patients Under Investigation (PUI) or patients positive for COVID-19, except for end of life. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis and must be approved by the attending provider, Chief Medical Officer, and Chief Nursing Officer.

The hospital cafeteria is closed to visitors.

These Visitation Safety Measures are for the protection of patients, employees, visitors and the public, are consistent with guidance from governmental authorities, and are adopted for the purpose of reducing the potential for propagation of the COVID-19 virus.