• social information if applicable

Visitation Guidance for Care Partners of Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19

Effective: Sept. 16, 2022
Patients who have COVID-19 can pass the infection to others, and we allow limited visitors to
protect all of our patients, visitors, and staff. We also understand that some patients may need
additional help and a care partner may be able to help. 

We will allow one care partner to visit inpatients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 on a case-by-case basis. There are very important rules or conditions that must be followed, and these are outlined below.

Masking Guidelines

As of March 2023, Emory Healthcare's masking guidelines are as follows:
  • At a minimum, a well-fitting medical procedure or surgical mask is still REQUIRED in the following settings:
    • Staff and providers must wear a mask during ALL face-to-face patient interactions.
    • Patients, care partners, and visitors must wear a mask IF they have symptoms of a respiratory illness (for staff/providers with symptoms of COVID or other respiratory illness, see the “Return-to-Work" section below).
    • Staff/providers, patients, care partners, and visitors must wear a mask in areas that care for patients who are immunocompromised or are otherwise at increased risk of COVID and/or severe disease. These areas currently include Emergency Department waiting rooms, Inpatient Dialysis units, Infusion Centers, Neonatal ICUs, transplant clinics, and all areas of the Winship Cancer Institute. Updated signage will be posted once available.
    • The decision to wear a mask is now OPTIONAL in many public areas of EHC hospitals and clinics (including nursing stations, waiting rooms, lobbies, hallways, and elevators) for ALL staff/providers, patients, care partners, and visitors.
      • Asymptomatic outpatients are no longer required to wear a mask during the appointment in the exam room.

Covid-19 Tier oneUpdated 3/15/22

Effective March 15, Emory Healthcare is moving to Tier 1 visitation within our hospitals and clinics.

All visitors must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose at all times (including patient rooms) regardless of vaccination status. No visitors will be permitted for patients diagnosed with or under investigation for COVID-19.

Emory Healthcare reserves the right to change the Visitation Policy at any time for the health and safety of our patients and team members. Family, friends, and loved ones are encouraged to use electronic devices to connect with patients.

  • Hospitalized Patients (inpatient and observation status): All bedded inpatients may have two visitors inside the facility at a time.
  • Hospital Surgery and Procedures: One visitor throughout the visit.
  • Imaging Tests and Procedures: One visitor throughout the visit.
  • Outpatient Appointments (including Winship and Lab): One visitor throughout the appointment.
  • Emergency Department: One visitor throughout visit.
  • Minors: No visitors under 12 years old are allowed.
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nurseries: Two visitors throughout the visit.
  • Inpatient Obstetrics/ Labor and Delivery: Two visitors throughout the visit, one of which may be a birthing assistant.
  • Outpatient Obstetrics: One visitor throughout the appointment.
  • Ambulatory Surgery Centers: One visitor throughout the visit.
  • End of Life: Patients at end of life, or patients being evaluated for and/or receiving hospice care, may have two visitors. Additional visitors allowed upon approval from the care team.

 

Patients & Visitors

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