March 8, 2021 - Ochsner Health Modified Visitor Policy

Ochsner Health Visitor Policy

In order to protect the health of our communities and to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19, we have instituted visitor restrictions. In addition, some hospital access points will be consolidated on our campuses.

All persons must wear a face masks while in Ochsner Health facilities. Children under 2 years of age are excluded from this requirement. Visitors must at least 12 years of age 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, 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 properly, 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. Emergency room volumes and situations can be unpredictable, therefore, visitation rules at a campus level may be temporarily altered. Minor patients will be allowed to have both parents/legal guardians accompany them.

Infusion Suites and Outpatient Clinics: Patients needing assistance during a visit may be accompanied by no more than one adult support person. Minor patients will be allowed to have both parents/legal guardians accompany them.

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.

• Adult patients may have one adult support person, pre and post procedure
• Minor patients will be allowed to have both parents/legal guardians accompany them to and from the procedural area

Inpatient units:

• COVID-19 Negative Adult Patients: Patients are allowed to have one visitor at a time, with one allowed 24/7.
• COVID-19 Negative Pediatric 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 8pm. Visitors must remain in the patient’s room at all times.

Special Circumstances:

• Laboring patients- Two support persons, one of which could be a doula. Max of 2 at any time. When the patient moves to post partum, they will follow the COVID-19 negative patient criteria above.
• Palliative/Comfort Care (which may include family meetings, palliative medicine consults, or comfort focused treatments) - Spouse/partner, children, parents and siblings may visit together between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. with sleep accommodation provided for only one support person overnight.
• End of Life Care- Spouse/Partner, children, parents, and siblings may visit together and be present 24/7.

Vendor Presence: Vendors should remain virtual unless in person vendor presence is required during an operative procedure.

• If in person vendor presence is required, it will be limited to the intraoperative period and will be evaluated and approved by local leadership on a case by case basis.
  • If an in-person, must complete the RepTrax attestation, follow RepTrax protocols, and Ochsner PPE and screenings

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: 3/8/2021