Memorial Hermann updates visitor policy in response to growing number of COVID-19 cases

Contributed Report
Posted 1/6/22

Memorial Hermann has updated its visitor policy in response to the Omicron variant and the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the Greater Houston area.

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Memorial Hermann updates visitor policy in response to growing number of COVID-19 cases

Posted

Memorial Hermann has updated its visitor policy in response to the Omicron variant and the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the Greater Houston area.

The hospital said in a statement that all approved visitors must clear a health screening before entering the facility and wear a Memorial Hermann-provided mask.

Acute Care Hospitals (adult)

  • 1 visitor (age 18 and older) per patient per day.
  • No overnight visitors.
  • One adult visitor for day surgery patients will be allowed to remain onsite until the patient is discharged.
  • Visiting hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital (adult and pediatric) and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy

  • 1 visitor (age 18 and older) per patient per day. This same visitor may stay overnight.
  • Visiting hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Pediatric/Labor & Delivery/Antepartum/Postpartum at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and all other Memorial Hermann Acute Care Hospitals

For pediatric patients:

  • 2 visitors per patient per day—the visitors must be either a parent/guardian or sibling age 12 and over. Sibling visitors 12-17 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • 2 parent/guardian visitors may stay overnight.

For laboring, antepartum and postpartum patients:

  • 2 visitors (age 12 and over) per patient per day. Visitors 12-17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 and over) visitor.
  • 1 of the adult visitors may stay overnight.

Emergency Center

Age restrictions do not apply to visitors who present in the Emergency Center with a patient. Minors (age 17 and under) who accompany Emergency Center patients must remain with the patient.

Visitors in Memorial Hermann Emergency Centers may be further restricted, as needed, to maintain a safe environment

Patients in Isolation

  • No visitors are allowed for patients in droplet or airborne isolation, including COVID-19, if the physician determines that visitation may result in transmission of an infectious disease and poses serious risk to community health.
  • 1 adult visitor (age 18 and over) per day will be allowed for patients in contact and contact-plus isolation.
  • Visitors may be required to wear additional PPE, if needed, and as directed by the unit staff.

Patients in Hospice or Supportive Medicine Care

  • Family members and religious counselors may visit patients in hospice or supportive medicine care.
  • Visiting hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Memorial Hermann Medical Group, Outpatient Imaging, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation

  • Adult patients: No visitors except one primary caregiver, such as a guardian or adult caregiver of a dependent patient or individual accompanying patient with special needs will be allowed.
  • Pediatric patients: One parent/guardian will be allowed for any pediatric patient visits. 1 additional parent will be allowed for pediatric patients under 18 months old and for patients needing discussion about developmental concerns. Reasonable accommodations will be made for pediatric visits, provided any sibling visitors are in good health.
  • OB patients: No accompanying adult will be allowed for OB visits. One accompanying adult will be allowed for OB ultrasound visits.

TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Rehabilitation, Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy Outpatient Rehabilitation, & TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Medical Clinic

  • Adult (18 and over) patients: No visitors.
  • Pediatric patients: 1 parent/guardian visitor.
  • Outpatient Medical Clinic patients that require assistance for care needs only, will be allowed a visitor, which will be coordinated by the clinical team.

University Place

University Place continues to adhere to the state’s guidelines for nursing center visitation.

Screening Process

Approved visitors will be required to clear a health screening before entering the facility, as well as wear a Memorial Hermann-provided mask at all times. Please visit memorialhermann.org/screening to complete online screening before arrival.

The hospital said all patients with a disability, including cognitive impairment, or other medical condition who may need support or assistance communicating with staff will be evaluated for potential visitor exceptions on a case-by-case basis. If a visitor believes that an exception to the in-person visitation policy is needed, he or she is asked to speak to the hospital’s management team. A patient’s religious counselor, subject to reasonable restrictions, may visit and will not be counted as part of the visitation limit.