Skip to main content

Hospital visitation guidelines

While we are pleased to allow visitors back into our hospitals, the safety of all visitors, patients and staff is our top priority. Emanate Health is adding and enhancing safety measures to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. Additionally, we offer complimentary Valet Parking at Queen of the Valley Hospital for all patients and visitors.

Our visitation policy has been updated in accordance with California Department of Public Health (CDPH), county regulations and infection control best practices.

Only vaccinated individuals will be allowed to visit patients inside the hospital, or individuals that have proof of negative COVID test within 72 hours. Upon arrival to hospital main entrances, Security or other screening personnel will require all visitors to provide proof of vaccination or documentation of a negative COVID test. Exceptions will be made for end-of-life patients.

Emanate Health will adhere to the following visitor guideline changes:

  1. Vaccinated Visitors may be allowed to visit patients in accordance with all other visiting polices.
    1. Pursuant to the CDPH Guidance for Vaccine Records Guidelines & Standards, only the following modes may be used as proof of vaccination:
      1. COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (issued by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control & Prevention or WHO Yellow Card) which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date last dose administered); OR
      2. A photo of a Vaccination Record Card as a separate document; OR
      3. A photo of the client's Vaccination Record Card stored on a phone or electronic device; OR
      4. Documentation of COVID-19 vaccination from a health care provider; OR
      5. Digital record that includes a QR code that when scanned by a SMART Health Card reader displays to the reader client name, date of birth, vaccine dates and vaccine type.
    2. In the absence of knowledge to the contrary, a facility may accept the documentation presented as valid.
    3. Fully vaccinated is defined as being 2 or more weeks from last needed vaccination dose.
  2. Unvaccinated Visitors will only be allowed to visit in accordance with all other visiting polices if they can show documentation of a negative COVID-19 test.
    1. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors are eligible for indoor visits only if they can show documentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test where the specimen collection occurred within 72 hours before each visit and for which the test results are available at the time of entry to the facility. Visitors may use either PCR testing or antigen testing. Any PCR or antigen test used must either have Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or be operating per the Laboratory Developed Test requirements by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Self-administered tests will not be accepted.
    2. Our facilities have a plan in place for tracking verified visitor vaccination status or documentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test. Records of vaccination verification or documentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test must be made available, upon request, to the local health jurisdiction for purposes of case investigation.
    3. Visitors who are visiting a patient in critical condition, when death may be imminent, are exempt from the vaccination and testing requirements of this Order. For such persons the requirements of Section III, below, will still apply.
    4. These conditions do not apply to visitors seeking only outdoor visits that will not require entering the facility.
  3. All visitors are still required to abide by all current visitation policies, including masking and social distancing.
  4. Process:
    1. All visitors must be verified in the lobby prior to entering the hospital.
    2. Security or other lobby personnel will verify vaccination status and only issue visitor badge if one of the above are demonstrated.

Additionally, in order to protect both staff and patients, also effective on August 11th the Emergency Department will again limit visitors to only those that are under the age of 18, end of life or in need of a visitor for another reason.

Please note the visitor policy may change at any time.

Hospital Visitor Policy

  1. Inpatients will be allowed one visitor at a time. However, the visitor may change throughout the day.

  2. Surgical and cardiac catheterization lab patients will be allowed to have a visitor escort them to the holding area. For outpatient surgeries, this visitor will then be asked to leave when the patient goes to their procedure and be called back after, where they may remain with them until they are discharged. Due to space constraints, visitors will not be allowed in the GI Lab or Interventional Radiology areas. Admitted surgical and cardiac catheterization patients may continue to have one visitor per day after surgery or procedure.

  3. This policy does not apply to the Family Birth & Newborn Center, Pediatrics, Parkside West or the Emergency Department. They will continue to follow their own policies.

  4. Patients with COVID-19 or under investigation for potential COVID-19 infection may not have a visitor. We will work with families to provide alternate forms of communication.

  5. Inpatients in shared rooms are allowed one visitor each.

  6. Visitors must be 18 years or older.

  7. Visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  8. Due to safety and privacy reasons, window visitation will no longer be permitted.

  9. All visitor policies related to end of life and other special circumstances will not change and continue to exist. End of life visitations will be allowed.

  10. Patients coming for an outpatient visit, such as lab or radiology, may only have one visitor assisting them, if medically needed, such as for a mobility issue or confusion. Visitors may not remain in the hospital if no longer escorting patient.

Limited visitation for patients in our Emergency Departments

One asymptomatic visitor will be allowed for NON-COVID-19 patients. This visitor must be the same person and may not be switched out for another. The Emergency Department is limiting visitors to only patients who are under the age of 18, end of life or in need of a visitor for another reason. Patients under investigation for or who have COVID-19, will not be allowed to have a visitor.

  1. Pediatric patients under the age of 14 may have one parent or guardian visit at a time.
  2. Visitor Screening
    1. All visitors will be screened upon entrance and must wear a mask prior to entering the Emergency Department; a cloth mask or surgical mask is acceptable. Visitors who do not have a mask will be provided with one.
    2. Inter-Community Hospital and Queen of the Valley Hospital – A red visitor pass will be issued to visitors after they have been cleared by a triage nurse.
    3. Foothill Presbyterian Hospital – Registration/Triage nurses or an EMT screener will assist with issuing the red sticker once cleared.
  3. There may be exceptions for patients who are receiving end-of-life care or who have extraordinary circumstances. Visitation in these situations is contingent on approval by the Emergency Department Charge Nurse, Unit Manager, Director and/or House Supervisor.
  4. All other visitation policies still apply.
  5. No outside food or visitor eating in the Emergency Department. Visitors must either stay at the bedside or wait in a designated area. They will not be allowed to go to any other area within the hospital, including the cafeteria, which remains closed to all visitors.

Updated Visitor Policy for Family Birth & Newborn Center

Updated September 7, 2021: The Family Birth & Newborn Center visitation policy has been updated in accordance with California Department of Public Health (CDPH), county regulations and infection control best practices.

All patients admitted to the Family Birth & Newborn Center will be tested for COVID-19.

Labor and Delivery and the Mother Baby Care Unit: Two designated visitors are permitted, one primary support person and one secondary support person. If the primary support person is not vaccinated, they will be tested for COVID-19. The second support person is required to provide proof of vaccination or present a negative COVID test result within 72 hours prior to the admission. Visitors may use either PCR testing or antigen testing. Self-administered tests are not accepted. Fully vaccinated is defined as being 2 or more weeks from 2nd needed vaccination dose.

Patients with COVID-19 or under investigation for potential COVID-19 infection may have one healthy visitor and the visitor must remain in the room for the entire hospital stay. No visitors will be allowed during cesarean sections.

Antepartum High Risk Unit: Visitors are required to provide proof of vaccination or present a negative COVID test result within 72 hours prior to the admission. Two visitors are allowed at one time. One visitor may stay overnight.

The Labor & Delivery floor is open 24 hours. The Mother Baby Care Unit is open from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. but is closed for Quiet Time from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Only the patient's significant other is allowed in the room at this time.

For the Maternity Tours, Prenatal Breastfeeding Class and Mom to Mom Support group, all attendees must be fully vaccinated and/or show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours prior to the class.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Visitation: Parents are the only visitors allowed at this time. One parent is allowed at the bedside at one time. Parents are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test result within 72 hours prior to visiting. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is closed for visitors from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

**Visiting Requirements are subject to change at any time

Visitor Responsibilities

  1. Visitors will check in at front lobby and complete temperature screening.

  2. Visitors will only use the main entrance for entry and exit, and may not come and go from the hospital.

  3. Visitors that are under quarantine may not enter the hospital.

  4. Visitors who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days are not permitted visitation.

  5. Visitors must wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times.

  6. Visitors may not eat or drink while in the patient room.

  7. Visitors must complete hand hygiene upon entry to hospital and patient room, and upon exiting.

  8. Visitors may leave the patient’s room as directed by staff for a short period of time and return, if necessary.

  9. Visitors may not wait in the lobby. The lobby is only for outpatients waiting for procedures, such as lab or X-ray.

  10. Waiting areas have limited restrictions and will be opened and used only if needed.

  11. Cafeterias are now open to visitors.

Hospital Notification

If visitors test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of visiting a patient, please contact the hospital infection control department immediately at 626.814.2515.

Contraction of COVID-19 exists everywhere with every contact. While Emanate Health has taken prudent precautions for the safety of our visitors wishing to enter, Emanate Health takes no responsibility for any visitor who may test positive for COVID-19. Failure of the visitor to abide by these conditions will result in a denial of all future entry to visit during the remainder of the patient’s admission.

Thank you for allowing us to care for your loved one during this stressful time. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Connect Through Virtual Visits

We recognize the importance of connecting with loved ones during your healing process. We encourage you to connect with loved ones through phones and tablets, using video chat apps.

Every reasonable effort will be made to support patients to connect with loved ones through virtual visits!

Visit our virtual visits page for more information.