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Visitor Policy
Updated on 11/08/2021
Stanford Health Care is required to follow a new order from the California Department of Public Health:
All hospital visitors of inpatients must show proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination received two weeks or more before the visit or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the visit.
As part of this requirement, Stanford Health Care will allow no visitors to its emergency departments, except those who are accompanying minors or patients in active labor, assisting patients with disability, or in cases of life-threatening conditions. These visitors will not be required to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
Stanford Health Care does not provide immediate on-site COVID-19 testing. For testing locations, visit Testing (ca.gov).
Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare maintains an independent visitor policy.
We thank you for your cooperation in keeping our hospital safe for our patients and staff.
Hospital: (not the emergency department)
Non-COVID-19 patients or COVID-19 patients who have been cleared as no longer infectious
May have 2 healthy visitors designated, but only 1 can visit per day during visiting hours
At end of life:
- Six healthy visitors allowed within a 24-hour period
- Up to 2 visitors can visit together for up to 2 hours
- There may be 3 groups per day
Under the age of 21:
- One parent or designee may stay with the patient for the duration of the hospital stay
- They may trade with another parent or designee once per 24-hour period
Needing support for physical, intellectual, cognitive, or developmental disabilities:
- Caregiver may trade with another person once per 24-hour period
COVID-19 patients
- When requested and approved by the Visitor Exception Committee
Under the age of 21:
- One parent or designee may stay with the patient for the duration of the hospital stay
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. Show proof of full vaccine status or a negative test within the last 72 hours. Follow all staff instructions.
Visiting hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. No overnight stays.
Go directly to patient room. No lingering in hallways or waiting areas.
Note: For patients in a shared (semi-private) room, visiting hours and rules may be different.
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.
- Talk to your loved one’s nurse about approval to enter the hospital. All visitors entering the hospital must be pre-approved and 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 08/11/2021