Visiting Holy Cross Hospital

Masks are now optional at Holy Cross Hospital.

Using the CDC’s Community Transmission Metric, which measures the presence and spread of COVID-19, we have determined that the numbers have reached a level in which we can safely lift the mandatory masking requirement for Holy Cross Hospital. We ask that individuals with confirmed or suspected respiratory infections please mask up and stay home when ill (if not seeking care). Additionally, those who have had close contact (without appropriate PPE) with someone who has had confirmed COVID-19 in the last 10 days should also mask up (even if asymptomatic).

Individuals attempting to visit patients in the hospital should not enter the facility if they have been sick within the last 48-hours, or are experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, skin rash, vomiting or diarrhea within 48 hours prior to visit.

The hospital staff may deny visitors until they are well if they are not here as a patient. We will continue to follow transmission-based precautions, as our standard is with all transmittable illnesses.

According to the CDC, If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.

Holy Cross Medical Center is a non-smoking campus. smoking, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, firearms, and weapons are prohibited. Visitors that are visibly intoxicated or impaired visitors will be prohibited from visiting.

Holy Cross Hospital Visitation Policy

Visitors are welcome to HCMC at all times, with the exception of declared public health emergencies.  During normal operating hours patients can access the building through main entrance doors.  Visitors who come between the hours of 8pm and 6am will enter through the Emergency Department entrance.

• All visitors should be free of infection or illness and should not have experienced symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, skin rash, vomiting or diarrhea within 48 hours prior to visit. All visitors with an infection or illness will be discouraged from visiting patients.   
• Isolation rooms: Before entering isolation rooms, visitors will need to dress in isolation attire which will be available outside of the patient’s room.  Staff must insure that visitors are following the instructions listed on the patient’s door.   
• Only two visitors should enter a patient’s room at one time. 
• In certain situations, the number of visitors may be increased or decreased; this is based on the total number of patients, the acuity and the patient’s needs.  This is at the discretion of the patient’s nurse in collaboration with the team leader, house shift coordinator, and/or the department manager.  
• Staff will comply with HIPAA policies.  Family members and visitors will not be given any patient information without the patient giving consent or demonstrating showing legal guardianship.   
• HCMC is a NON-SMOKING campus.  SMOKING, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, ILLEGAL DRUGS, FIREARMS and WEAPONS are prohibited.  No escorts by security or staff will be provided for patients or visitors to go smoke.   
• If visitors display signs of intoxication or impairment; they will be prohibited from visiting.     
• Visitors are not allowed to use patient’s bathrooms and should use the public rest rooms. 
• Visitors should not sit or lie on the patient’s bed or other beds in the rooms except in the case of a pediatric patient where parents/guardians may be allowed to sleep in the bed to assist with the care of the patient. 
• Visitors should not bring food to patients unless first consulting the patient’s nurse. 
• Visitors may be asked to leave the room by nursing staff during treatments or procedures. 
• Visitors are asked to respect patient’s rights to quiet and privacy. 
• Pets may be allowed in specific patient care situations (such as terminally ill patients, etc.) with prior review and approval.  Such pets must be vaccinated and proof of vaccinations presented, bathed and cleaned prior to approval. See Pet Visitation Policy. 
• OVERNIGHT STAYS with an adult patient is limited to one visitor.  
• Pediatric admissions (14 years and younger) will have a parent/guardian or an adult relative (approved by the parent/guardian) accompany the pediatric patient during their stay whenever possible.  When a parent or guardian cannot stay they can help prepare the child for their absence.
  • Always let your child know when you are leaving and when you are coming back. For young children who don’t understand time, it can be after sleep or after breakfast etc. Make sure you come when you say you will.  
  • Talk with the nurses about when things such as dressing changes or doctor visits are going to happen. The time they are done may be able to be altered so that you can be with your child when they are done.  
  • Try to show your child that you feel confident about the people who are looking after her, and that you understand her fears.  
  • Let your child know that you wish you could stay and explain why you can’t. Even very young children can get reassurance from the sound of the words, while they can’t understand all that you are saying.  
  • Always let the nurses know where you will be and when you will be back so they can answer your child’s questions. Your child will trust the nurses more if the nurses know what is happening. Let them know whether your child can call you.  
  • If your child is upset when you leave, ask a staff member to comfort them. Children cry when they are left in a strange place, if they don’t feel well ore are in pain, when they are scared, and because they are angry that you have gone. The nurses and staff will do their best to help your child become calm.  
• ALL VISITORS will be asked to limit coming and going as much as possible during the hours of 8:00 pm and 8:00 a.m.  

Visitors to the Labor and Delivery Department

While the birth of a baby is a special time in the lives of families/friends, the special needs of laboring mothers, mothers who have delivered and newborns require visitation policy which provides for their security, rest and recovery. 

• Visitors to the laboring mother will be at her discretion, in collaboration with the provider and the nursing staff.
• The father/support person may stay overnight with the mother as long as they remain in the room. 
• Quiet Time is from 2pm – 4pm. No visitors except for the father/support person.
• All other visitors will follow the same visitation policy as the rest of the hospital.  
• All visitors, including family are expected to abide by the regulations of the hospital which includes no smoking, no intoxication/impairment or inappropriate behavior including possession of weapons.  Those who are unwilling to comply with these regulations will be asked to leave and not allowed back on the premises. 
• All guests are asked to limit coming and going from the unit during the hours of 8:00 pm and 8:00 am as an escort may not always be available. 
• Visitors/family will be asked to leave the room during assessments/treatments/medical procedures to provide for patient privacy. 
• No family/visitor is allowed to enter the LDRP Unit without being approved to enter by the RN. 

Visitors to the ICU Department

• Two visitors are allowed for each patient at one time; at the discretion of the primary RN. 
• The number of visitors may be increased or decreased based on the total number of patients in the unit and the acuity and needs of those patients. This is at the discretion of the patient’s nurse in collaboration with the ICU team leader. 
• Visiting hours in the ICU during the hours of 6:45am-7:30am and 6:45pm-7:30pm are limited. This time allows staff to do what is needed before the oncoming shift arrives and give report to the oncoming shift. Family members are allowed to be in the room during these hours. 
• Children under the age of 12 will not be allowed in the ICU during RSV and Flu season or at any time there is a patient with a highly contagious illness. 
• Visitors may not wait in the ICU hallway; they must wait in the waiting area or chapel. 
• Post-operative ICU status patients who come directly to the ICU for recovery should not receive visitors during their first hour in the ICU or until their Aldrete score is 9 or greater.  The ICU nurse will notify family when patient visitation is allowed. 
• One visitor per patient is permitted to stay overnight in the ICU with each patient. Two visitors per patient are permitted to stay overnight in the ICU if the patient is a pediatric patient and at the discretion of the primary RN. 
• These guidelines are to be enforced by all ICU staff; consistency is essential.  

Holy Cross Hospital reserves the right to implement changes as needed at a moment’s notice.