Visiting a Patient

To protect patients, staff and visitors from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the following visitor restrictions are now in place at MultiCare Allenmore Hospital:

Hospital visitor screening

All visitors to our hospitals will be screened at the entrances. A staff member will take the visitor’s temperature and ask the following screening questions:

• Do you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or symptoms of a common cold or flu?
• Have you had contact with someone suspected or confirmed to have novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?

If the answer is “yes” to either of these questions, you will not be allowed to enter the facility. We will also encourage you to contact your primary care provider or use our free Virtual Care e-visit service.

If you have an appointment at an outpatient clinic in our hospital building, you will also be screened before you can enter. If you have a temperature or answer is “yes” to either of the screening questions, you will not be allowed to enter for your appointment, and we will ask that you contact their clinic for further instructions.

Other hospital visitor restrictions

• Visiting hours will be restricted to 8am - 8pm
• We strongly encourage all patients and visitors to wear their own masks to our facilities for use during their visit. We will provide masks to those arriving without them.
• Only one caregiver or support person is allowed for each patient, each day (patients 17 and under are allowed one parent or caregiver at a time, or two in a 24-hour period).
• No visitors 17 years of age or younger will be allowed unless they are patients.
• Visitors will be issued a wristband for the day to help identify them to our staff.
• No visitors will be allowed for patients with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 (patients 17 and under are allowed one parent or caregiver in a 24-hour period).
• Only one caregiver or support person will be allowed to accompany patients arriving for surgery or procedures.
• No visitors will be allowed to enter through the Emergency Department unless they are accompanying an emergency patient.
• Only one visitor is allowed to accompany emergency patients or patients with outpatient clinic appointments.
• If visitors are not at the hospital to receive care or to visit a patient, they will not be allowed to enter.

Valet parking service

During this time, we will not offer our normal valet parking service at our hospitals. However, staff members will be available at hospital entrances to direct you to parking locations.

Other Visitor Information

We recognize how important it is that our patients have a caring environment that includes family and friends. Visitors will be accommodated as much as possible, with consideration for other patients and overall patient care.

We also are committed to open and honest communication with family members and we encourage their participation in the patient’s care. Caregivers may remain with patients except during tests or treatments.

We ask visitors to:

• Dress appropriately, including shirts and shoes
• Not visit the hospital when they have colds, sore throats or any contagious diseases
• Understand if they are asked temporarily to leave the room during tests or treatments or when the doctor or nurse needs to see the patient
• Support our quiet/healing environment and avoid unnecessary noise
• Be considerate of both patients in semi-private rooms

Visitors under the influence of recreational drugs or alcohol, or exhibiting disorderly conduct, including the use of profanity and verbal threats, will be asked to leave the hospital and may be reported to the police.

Condition Reports

Any personal information about the patient’s diagnosis and treatment must come from the patient’s physician and will only be made available to those approved by the patient.

Gifts for Patients

Visitors should check with the nurse before bringing gifts, plants, food or drink to patients. Because latex allergies are becoming more common in patients and staff, latex balloons are not permitted.

Pastoral Care

At Allenmore, we understand that spiritual and emotional well-being is closely tied to physical health. Our pastoral care staff is available to help patients, their families and others cope with the challenges of illness and medical crises. For counseling or spiritual support from a non-denominational hospital chaplain, please call the Pastoral Care Program at 253-403-1125.