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Visitor Policy
Stanford Health Care’s visitor policy is in place to help keep our patients and staff as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with COVID-19, or those suspected of having COVID-19, are most often not allowed to have visitors.
Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare maintains an independent visitor policy. For the latest information, visit the Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare website.
Moving to the next phase
Starting June 15, California will lift most masking requirements and other precautions for people who are vaccinated, though individual counties may choose to continue restrictions longer. This shift in guidelines does not apply to health care settings. As a health system with vulnerable patients, we must prioritize safety for all and comply with public health authority directives. Masking and social distancing will still be required when you visit Stanford Health Care.
Updated on 06/15/2021
Hospital
(not the emergency department):
COVID-negative or COVID-cleared patients
- Up to two visitors may visit each day, and they may both visit at the same time
- Children/minors may visit a patient if they pass screening criteria and are accompanied by an adult. The minor(s) can be in addition to the two daily adult visitors.
- Up to three visitors—one adult with two minors—can visit at the same time if space and social distancing allows.
- One overnight visitor is allowed, except for in-patient psychiatry
- Overnight visitor must keep their mask on.
COVID-negative or COVID-cleared patients at the end of their life
- Up to three healthy visitors at a time (can also switch out) may keep vigil with a patient at end of life, past visiting hours
- Total number of visitors that can be accommodated at one time and for what duration will be subject to the ability to maintain safe distancing practices.
Patients up to age 21
- Two parents or guardians may stay with the patient
- One parent or guardian at a time for the duration of the hospital stay, including overnight
Patients needing support for physical, intellectual, cognitive, or developmental disabilities
- Two healthy caregivers may stay with the patient
- One caregiver at a time for the duration of the hospital stay, including overnight
Patients age 85 and older:
- One healthy visitor may stay overnight
Patients in semi-private rooms:
- Visitation times for healthy visitors will be alternated to avoid too many people in a room
- Overnight visitors are limited to one visitor per night for one patient, alternating each night.
- If one of the patients in the room expresses concern, the health care team will work with the patient and visitor to determine another potential alternative
COVID-19 patients at the end of their life
- May have three healthy visitors at a time, up to two visitation periods
- Six total people may visit in a 24-hour period
- Recommended visit duration of 15 minutes, up to 1 hour.
- One healthy parent or designee may stay with the patient for the duration of the hospital stay
- No swapping out of visitors will be allowed
Surgery and procedures:
Patients are allowed one caregiver to come with them to the pre-surgery area only if the patient:
- Is under age 18
- Has disabilities (physical, mental, or developmental)
- Is having a baby in the operating room (caregiver is allowed in OR)
Clinic, lab, radiology, testing areas:
Patients are allowed one caregiver to come with them only if the patient:
- Is under age 18
- Has disabilities (physical, mental, or developmental)
- Is at the end of their life
Virtual visits are a good way to support your loved one. Call Guest Services for help at 650-498-3333.
Visitor Rules
Show identification and give contact information at each visit. Follow all staff instructions.
Visiting hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Go directly to patient room. No lingering in hallways or waiting areas.
For Everyone's Safety
All entrants must pass screening for COVID-19 symptoms and be healthy. Wear your mask at all times.
Stay 6 feet from others.
Use hand sanitizer when you enter and leave the patient's room. Wash hands often.
Do not eat or drink in patient rooms.
We want to support you and your loved ones at the end of life. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can spread easily and we want to keep you and our staff safe. To support you, staff and your loved ones we have developed some guidelines we ask you to follow. These restrictions are modeled from policies at other health organizations, as well as guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California State Department of Health.
A visit to a loved one with COVID-19 at end-of-life will put you at a higher risk of disease but these risks can be mitigated by following the steps outlined below. If you have any questions, please talk to the nurse taking care of your loved one.
- All visitors entering the hospital must be healthy.
- The number of people allowed in the room at any one time will be limited.
- The amount of time you can stay will also be limited as the longer a visitor spends with an individual who has COVID-19, the greater the risk of getting the virus.
- Once you are outside of the hospital room you will need to work with a nurse to put on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including a gown, gloves, eye protection and a new mask. You must wash your hands or use alcohol sanitizer upon entering and leaving the room and hospital to prevent the spread of disease.
- Although death is a time to support each other with compassion, due to the possibility of transmission, visitors should not hug or physically comfort patients or other family members. The outside of the PPE can become contaminated and could spread disease. Please reserve personal contact among family for only after PPE is taken off, a new mask is on, and hands are washed.
- Once you are in the room you must stay there until you call for a nurse to help you leave or you are asked to leave because a nurse or doctor needs to provide care. Follow the lead of the health care team. There is no food or drink allowed in the room and you will not be able to go in and out of the room or hospital.
- When you leave, a nurse will help you take off the PPE and put on a clean mask. You must immediately exit the hospital after leaving the room.
If you are not able to be in the room or at the bedside we do have ways to connect you through private video or phone calls. The nurse can help or you can call Guest Services at 650-498-3333.
Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.
Updated on 06/15/2021