Ochsner Health Visitor Policy
In order to protect the health of our communities, and as a safety precaution to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19, we have instituted visitor restrictions in accordance with recommendations from the CDC. In addition, some hospital access points will be consolidated on our campuses.
We understand the importance of patients having access to their loved ones while receiving care at our hospital. At this time, we ask patients and their families to consider communication through phone and video chat as their primary means of communication. When an in-person visit is necessary, the following precautions are in place to protect patients, families and staff and are specific to the care setting listed.
All persons entering Ochsner Health locations will be screened for fever and respiratory symptoms and all employees, patients and visitors must wear a face mask while in our facilities. Children under 2 years of age are excluded from this requirement. Visitors must be 18 years or older and always remain in the patient’s room. Visitors are asked to maintain social distancing at all times., including waiting rooms, cafeterias, and shared areas. Visitors will be asked to return home if they exhibit symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath), have a positive COVID test in the last ten days, have a pending COVID test for symptoms, unable to wear a mask OR do not comply with above policy. Mask must be worn, ensuring that the nose and mouth are covered, at all times.
Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Locations: Emergency Room and Urgent Care patients will be limited to one visitor per patient through their stay. Emergency room volumes and situations can be unpredictable, therefore, visitation rules at a campus level may be temporarily altered.
Infusion Suites and Outpatient Clinics: Patients needing assistance during a visit may be accompanied by no more than one adult support person.
Procedural/Surgical areas (regardless of time of day): Patients with procedures can have visitors as outlined below pre and post procedure. The support person may remain with the patient prior to their surgery/procedure and must then wait in a socially distant manner until a member of the medical team provides an update at the conclusion of the procedure/surgery. If the patient is being admitted post procedure/surgery visitors will adhere to the current visitation policy and hours of visitation.
Inpatient units:
COVID-19 Negative Adult patients: Patients are allowed to have one visitor PER DAY at a time between the hours of 8am- 6pm
COVID-19 Negative Minor patients: Patients are allowed to have two visitors at a time, with one allowed 24/7.
COVID-19 Positive Patients and COVID Units: Patients are allowed to have one visitor between the hours of 8am and 6pm and the visitor must remain in the patient’s room at all times.
Special Circumstances: Under the following circumstances visitor exceptions/extensions will be made to allow family members to be present 24 hours per day.
Vendor Presence: Vendors should remain virtual unless in person vendor presence is required during an operative procedure.
All other in person vendor visits are prohibited. Sales meetings and/or equipment demonstrations will remain virtual.
**Skilled Nursing Facilities are excluded from this document and will follow state guidance.**
Revised: 11/20/2020
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