St. Luke’s To Require COVID-19 Vaccine Proof Or Negative Test For All Visitors
Get ready to show your card. St. Luke's has updated their visitor policy to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours.
The change goes into effect Monday, January 17. As an amendment to St. Luke's current visitor policy, it's binding for visitors of all inpatients, surgical/procedural care, and the Emergency Department.
St. Luke's describes the change to their visitor policy as being (f)or the protection of patients and staff, due to the "incredibly high community spready of COVID-19".
As a general summary, the medical facility is still not allowing any visitors for adult patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 "until the patient is no longer in isolation (no longer contagious)". Although some exceptions "may be made" on an "invitation only basis" - for situations like a patient at the end of life or a vulnerable adult that needs "help with communications or decision making".
Patients who do not have COVID-19 are allowed visitors at St. Luke's, with pre-prescribed restrictions. In addition to the new requirement to show a vaccination card or proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours, here is a run-down of some of the stipulations:
- Adults: Can have one adult visitor per day, 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Once a visitor leaves the campus, they can not come back until the next day.
- 8 West/Inpatient Rehab: One adult visitor per day, weekdays, 3:30 PM tp 8:30 PM and weekends (Saturday and Sunday), 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Again, once that visitor leave the campus, they can not come back until the next day.
- Emergency Department: One adult visitor.
- Labor and delivery: One adult support person - who can not be suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive.
- Pediatric: Up to two parents or guardians.
- Critically unstable: Up to two visitors per day.
- Surgical and Procedural Care: One adult visitor per day, 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
- End of life: Up to two visitors at a time, maximum of four per day. Once visitors leave campus, they can not come back that day. However, up to two more people may enter the hospital and visit the patient.
For St. Luke's complete, updated visitor policy, visit their website.