Visitor Guidelines
Updated visitor guidelines (July 2023)
New updates in place for visitation at our hospitals. Visitor guidelines for each hospital are below.
- All approved visitors will abide by rules established for the specific visit.
- Visitors will be instructed to sanitize hands before and after entering the patient’s room.
- All visitors must be 13 years or older, unless an exception is granted.
Loved ones are also welcome to stay in touch with family members via phone, Facetime and other electronic means. Patient E-cards are also available on our website.
Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital (effective July 31, 2023)
- General inpatient and critical care visitation hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a maximum of two (2) visitors.
- ED visitation – one (1) visitor if patient is in a closed space (i.e., non-hallway locations)
- Same Day Surgery, OR PACU, and Outpatient office patients may have up to one (1) visitor.
- Behavioral Health - one (1) visitor during the following times: Monday through Friday 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- All approved visitors will abide by rules established for the specific visit.
- Visitors will be instructed to sanitize hands before entering and upon exiting the patient’s room.
Hospital Requirements for Visitors:
- Must adhere to safety guidelines.
- Must adhere to the use of additional PPE where needed and requested.
- Visitors may use common public areas (i.e., cafeteria, reception areas, etc.).
- If a visitor refuses to comply with these requirements they will be escorted out of the hospital and denied reentrance for the duration of the patient’s hospitalization.
Nazareth Hospital (updated June 2023)
- Visiting Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- No more than two (2) visitors are allowed in a patient room at one time
- Excess visitors must wait in main lobby, and are permitted to use the cafeteria
- Covid positive patients are restricted to two (2) visitors per patient per day. PPE required: N95 mask, gloves, gown
- Clinical exceptions apply
- Failure to abide by this policy may result in an escort off the campus
Saint Francis Hospital (effective July 31, 2023)
Inpatient visitation hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation is limited to two (2) visitors at a time per patient with no limit to number of total visits per day.
Critical Care visitation hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation is limited to two (2) visitors at one time per patient with no limit to number of total visits per day.
Emergency Department visitors are limited to (1) one support person per patient. Support person must wait in the waiting area until the patient is triaged and assigned a room. Exceptions will be made if clinician requests support person assistance with the triage process.
Patients going to Same Day Surgery may be accompanied by one (1) person, and that person may stay with the patient until they are settled. The visitor can return later for pick up or may wait in the Same Day Surgery waiting room.
Patients going to an Outpatient Office visit may be accompanied by one (1) person.
Process: Visitors for inpatient or critical care should enter the hospital via the Main Lobby and register with the Guest Services Officer at the desk. Visitors are required to provide an ID to the Guest Services Officer, and that ID will be retained for the duration of the visit. Visitors who have had a COVID-19 diagnosis in the last 14 days are not permitted to enter.
This visitation process excludes COVID positive or PUI patients, as these patients are not permitted to have visitors.
St. Mary Medical Center (updated June 2023)
- Visiting Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- No more than two (2) visitors are allowed in a patient room at one time
- Excess visitors can wait in floor waiting rooms, main lobby or cafeteria if open
- Covid positive patients are restricted to two (2) visitors per patient per day. PPE required: N95 mask, gloves, gown
- Clinical exceptions apply
- Failure to abide by this policy may result in an escort off the campus