Visitor Policy – BJC HealthCare

Based on sustained reduced incidence of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory illness hospitalizations and community transmission, BJC HealthCare is lifting universal masking requirements in our health care environments effective March 22, 2023. Masks will continue to be readily available for those who prefer to continue wearing a mask, and patients who would prefer their providers wear a mask may request that. Masking in health care facilities helped protect patients, visitors, employees and the community throughout the pandemic and during recent severe respiratory viral illness surges.

Masking remains required when visiting patients who are positive or suspected positive for COVID-19.

To reduce transmission, masking is recommended for those who are showing signs or symptoms of respiratory illness and those with a recent known exposure to someone with a respiratory illness.

Those who prefer to wear masks in BJC facilities are welcome to do so. Respiratory hygiene stations will remain at all facilities.

BJC may reinstate a broad masking requirement in our health care facilities during surges of respiratory viruses such as influenza. BJC infection prevention and infectious diseases specialists will continue to track case rates in the community and among staff, along with hospitalization rates, to evaluate whether and when masking may need to be reinstated to protect patients, visitors and employees.

Having a support system of family, friends and loved ones is an important part of the healing process – physically and mentally. At BJC HealthCare we strive to provide a positive patient experience across our 14 hospitals, multiple health service organizations and 100+ doctors’ offices. A standard visitor policy is part of that experience.

Below please find details from BJC's visitor policy.

“Some BJC hospitals have additional guidance for their facilities. Please check the hospital websites for more information.”

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for BJC health care facility visitation practices that take into consideration patient wishes, their clinical condition, patient privacy, and the safety of all patients, visitors, and staff; and are consistent with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

BJC HealthCare permits patients to have visitors, seen as partners in caring for our patients, as set forth in this policy. Visitors may include, but are not limited to, family; friends; significant others; professional services such as attorneys, doulas, photographers, hairdressers; or other persons requested by a patient or a patient’s legal guardian or legal representative. A member of clergy is allowed at the bedside and is not included in the total number of visitors.

Visitors are expected to abide by established visiting hours and conditions as set forth in this policy. Visitors are expected to support the quiet healing environment and comply with safety measures to protect patients and staff throughout the duration of the visit.

Patient’s Right of Visitation
1. All patients have the right to receive visitors during their inpatient admission or while receiving care in outpatient service areas (e.g., emergency department, outpatient surgery or procedure areas, clinic visits, or other outpatient services), with limited exceptions. Patients, or their legal guardian or legal representative, may also designate who may visit during their visit.
2. A patient has the right to limit all visitors and/or limit a particular visitor or visitors.
3. A patient has a right to change his/her mind at any time about accepting visits from anyone, including family members or friends.
4. The facility will ensure that visitors have access to a patient in a manner consistent with the patient’s preferences.
5. The facility will not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny a patient’s visitation rights, or limit who a patient may have as a visitor, based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visitor Code of Conduct
1. Visitors will be respectful of the patient, other patients, and staff at all times.
2. Visitors must abide by reasonable expectations concerning their behavior within the facility as set forth in this policy and as communicated to them by hospital staff. Violations may result in the removal of visitor.
3. Visitors must help support a quiet and healing environment.
4. Where applicable, visitors must comply with all badging and sign-in/sign-out requirements.
5. Visitors must comply with established guidelines pertaining to isolation, infection control, and other health and safety precautions as instructed by nursing staff, including hand washing and other required safety practices when entering and leaving a patient’s room.
6. Visitors may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a gown, gloves, mask, face shield as directed by infection prevention.
7. Visitors may not consume alcohol, recreational or medical cannabis, or other non-prescription controlled substances while on the BJC Healthcare premises.
  1. Staff may contact Public Safety if a visitor appears intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or other substances, whether such substances prescribed or recreational.
8. Visitors may not smoke or use other tobacco or cannabis products anywhere in the facility or on facility grounds consistent with the BJC smoke-free policies.
9. Visitors must keep their voices to a reasonable level and televisions, radios, and other sound devices may not be loud or disturb other patients, especially during Quiet Hours, typically 9am to 9pm.
Visiting Hours and Conditions

Area/Dept	Total Number of Visitors Permitted	Visiting Hours (Minimum of 6 hours per day)
Emergency Department (ED)	2 visitors at bedside Must remain with patient in room or treatment area for safety and privacy of all patients unless visitor’s personal care is needed, i.e., nutrition or restroom Waiting room visitors dependent on patient surge or capacity issues, but cannot prohibit all visitors Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed	24/7
Inpatient and ICU	2 visitors in semi-private or isolation rooms 4 visitors in private rooms 1 overnight visitor may be permitted in semi-private rooms based on comfort level and privacy interest of both patients Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed	Minimum 9am to 9pm per day Quiet hours from 9pm to 9am per day
Labor and Delivery	No limit on number or age of visitors during labor, but minors must be accompanied by adult Only 3 visitors at bedside Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed	24/7 during labor and delivery, at discretion of patient
Post-Partum	Only 4 visitors at bedside No restrictions on age, but minors must be accompanied by adult 1 overnight visitor Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed	Minimum 9am to 9pm per day Overnight visiting hours from 9pm to 9am per day
Outpatient Surgery or Procedure	2 visitors, but facility may limit visitors to 1 due to space constraints and safety considerations Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed	May accompany patient to surgery or procedure and stay until patient is discharged
Clinic Visits	2 visitors, but facility may limit visitors to 1 due to space constraints and safety considerations Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed	May accompany patient to appointments, treatments, provider visits, or care planning sessions
Outpatient Visits	2 visitors, but facility may limit visitors to 1 due to space constraints and safety considerations Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed	May accompany patient in designated waiting areas
Pediatric Patients at St. Louis Children’s Hospital	Please refer to St. Louis Children’s Hospital Guest Management-Family Participation Policy No more than 6 total visitors No more than 2-4 visitors in inpatient rooms 2 visitors in ED Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed Minors under the age of 12 must be accompanied by adult Other restrictions are noted in St. Louis Children’s Hospital Guest Management-Family Participation Policy	24/7 Minimum 9am to 9pm per day for visitors authorized by parent/legal guardian
Evelyn’s House	4 visitors in the patient room at any given time. 4 additional visitors on the patio outside their loved one’s room. Access the patio from the back walkway. Doors should remain closed during the visit. 2 visitors may spend the night in the patient room. Visitors must use the intercom and know the code word to gain entry Gathering rooms are available to reserve for up to 4 overnight visitors, families may reserve by 12 noon for occupancy from 9pm – 9 am. The common areas are open to visitors (e.g. Café, family kitchen, great room).	24/7 Quiet hours are designated as 10pm- 8 am Outside visitation will end at dusk to maintain safety

Limits on Visitors/Visitation
To ensure the safety of other patients and staff, the facility may limit visitation for the following reasons:
1. Minors – Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by someone 18 years old or older.
2. Size and space of the building and physical space, including waiting rooms and during times of patient surge or capacity issues.
3. Commonly Restricted Areas in Facility such as surgical or procedure areas, isolation rooms or units, behavioral health units or pods, substance abuse treatment programs with protocols around visitation, or other commonly restricted areas.
4. Request of Patient
5. Request of Law Enforcement
6. Court Order
7. Substantial Disruption of Care or Operation of Facility
8. During Administration of Emergency Care or Care that May Harm a Visitor
9. Signs and Symptoms of Transmissible Infection
10. Disruptive, Threatening, or Violent Behavior
11. Reasonable Safety or Security Restrictions or Other Requirements
12. Attending Physician’s Attestation in Chart if Medical or Therapeutically Contraindicated
13. Shared Rooms
14. Patient Designated as Confidential”, “Protective Status”, “Victim of Violence”, or “Black Out Status”
15. State of Emergency (SOE) or Public Health Emergency (PHE)
16. Overnight visitors must be able to care for themselves.
Removal of Visitor
1. A visitor who is disruptive or who fails to follow any of the expectations for visitors as set forth in this policy will be asked to stop the disruptive behavior and may be asked to leave the facility temporarily if the behavior does not stop or if it presents an immediate risk to patients or staff.
Virtual Visitor Policy
1. There may be times when isolation becomes a necessary part of care. Please read our virtual visitor policy for more information.