Visitor Restrictions Effective Dec. 21, 2023
Based on increased activity of respiratory viruses such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV, in the community, visitation restrictions have been implemented at the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital. The visiting hours are from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., seven days a week.
The following individuals will NOT be permitted to visit patients in the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital at this time:
- Visitors with symptoms of illness such as sudden onset of fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose
- Visitors under the age of 18 years old
In the critical care areas, one visitor (family spokesperson) will be allowed to remain at the bedside during shift report. This is for patient privacy and to help with a safe shift handoff. Two visitors are permitted at the bedside at all times unless the patient is at end-of-life and then four visitors will be allowed at the bedside.
Masks are mandated in the NICU for parents, visitors and employees. Parents and visitors who present ill (respiratory viral illness or fever) will not be allowed in the NICU. Special considerations may be made by the medical team. Temperature checks will be done periodically with parents who visit for long periods of time.
Overnight visitors may be allowed if patients are minors, vulnerable patients and/or end of life. The shift coordinators are empowered to make these decisions.
Enhanced Screening Process for Patients and Visitors on Eskenazi Health Downtown Campus
Patients and visitors entering the Sandra Eskenazi Outpatient Care Center, the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital or the Michael & Susan Smith Emergency Department will be screened for items that pose a safety risk. Screening equipment will include a pass-through metal detector, handheld scanning device and X-ray machine for belongings. If circumstances warrant it, patients or visitors will be scanned using a handheld device, and personal items such as, but not limited to, purses, backpacks, bags and briefcases will be sent through an X-ray machine. These screening measures are part of maintaining a safe campus environment for Eskenazi Health staff, patients and visitors and will not interfere with or delay emergency medical treatment.