St. Joseph Health Modifies Visitation Policy

Effective September 15, 2020, St. Joseph Health has further modified its visitation policy to continue to provide ongoing protection for our patients, employees, and physicians while balancing the key role caregivers play in the quality of care and outcomes of patients. 

The following changes will remain in effect until further notice:

• One adult visitor will be allowed in a patient room between the hours of 9 AM and 9 PM.
• Visitors must be screened before 7 PM to enter the facility.
  • NICU visitation allows parents only, who have been preapproved. 
  • A designated caregiver for labor and delivery, pediatrics, and NICU. 
  • End-of-life:
    • In extraordinary end-of-life situations, non-COVID-19 patients will be limited to two adult visitors at a time (for a maximum of one hour). COVID-19 positive patients or Patients Under Investigation (PUI) will be limited to one visitor only (for a maximum of one hour). Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by hospital administration. 
  • Other circumstances may be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by hospital administration. 
• Visitors will not be allowed: 
  • For COVID-19 positive or Patients Under Investigation (PUI) including dedicated COVID-19 hospital units. 
• Based on community prevalence and individual facility space considerations, slight variations may exist at an individual hospital location. 

We encourage visitors to remain closely connected to their loved ones through virtual means, including Skype, FaceTime, and/or phone.

Until the COVID pandemic has subsided: 

• Healthcare workers, visitors, and patients with fever, cough, sore throat, or other COVID-19 like symptoms are not permitted in any area of the hospital, unless seeking care. 
• Anyone who has traveled to high-risk areas for COVID-19 or had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 in the past 14 days are not permitted to visit any area of the hospital, unless seeking care. 
• All patients and visitors are requested to wear a mask while in the hospital. 

Guidance for Visitors and One Designated Caregiver: 

• Must be an adult. No children allowed. 
• Must pass the screening at the designated entrances which includes: 
  • No COVID-19 symptoms per CDC guidelines. 
  • Have not been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. 
  • Must frequently wash their hands, limit interactions with others, practice social distancing, are restricted to only the locations designated by the facility, and must limit time outside of the patient’s room. 
  • Will be required to wear a cloth face covering mask during their hospital visit per CDC and CMS guidelines. If a visitor or single designated caregiver does not have a mask, the facility will provide one. 

We understand this change in policy may be difficult for families, but it is imperative we take additional precautions to keep our patients and community safe. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Below are facilities impacted by the modified visitor policy: 

St. Joseph Health (serving the Brazos Valley community) 

• St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital 

• St. Joseph Health Grimes Hospital 

• St. Joseph Health Madison Hospital 

• St. Joseph Health Burleson Hospital 

• St. Joseph Health College Station Hospital 

For more information on how to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, visit chistjoseph.org/covid-19 or cdc.gov/coronavirus.