Visiting Hours & Policies

During normal times, Jefferson Health openly welcomes families and guests who want to connect with and comfort patients receiving care. We understand how important this is to you and to them as they heal and feel supported during their recovery. The pandemic has presented all of us with some new challenges, and while we are fully committed to providing patient and family-centered care, we must also ensure the safety of everyone entering our facilities. 

Our visitor policy continues to adapt and update as we evaluate current recommendations and balance them with providing our patients the ability to be supported by their family and friends while they are recovering and healing at our facilities.

Our care teams will always compassionately consider unique circumstances and are encouraged to seek guidance from local leadership and infection control in scenarios where it is unclear how we should protect our core value of “Doing the Right Thing.” We are deeply committed to doing the right thing.  

We have created the following safety practices you should review before you visit any of our Jefferson locations. We expect all visitors to follow the policies outlined here.

General Visitor Policies

• Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
• We will not be actively screening visitors in PA locations. NJ will still screen visitors for symptoms.
• Signage at the entrances will alert visitors to visitor restriction recommendations.
• You must wear a face mask at all times (ensuring that it covers both your mouth and your nose) while in the hospital building. It may be removed while eating in designated locations in the hospital. No cloth masks or gaiters are allowed. If you do not have one, you will be provided an earloop mask when you enter the hospital. You may wear your own NIOSH-approved KN95 mask if you have one.
• If you are unable to wear a mask for protection, you should not visit our facilities. Your safety and the safety of others is very important.
• If you have any of the following, please do not visit at this time:
  • Respiratory symptoms
  • COVID diagnosis in the last 10 days
  • Close contact with someone with positive COVID in the last 10 days
  • Mpox (monkeypox) diagnosis in the last 4 weeks and your lesions are not fully healed
  • Flu or RSV diagnosis in the last week
• When visiting a patient, please stay in the room except for your own basic personal needs (e.g.: food, restroom). Please do not eat in the patient's room, and keep your mask on at all times.
• Please wash your hands or use the hand sanitizer as you enter and leave a patient's room, and limit touching surfaces in patient care areas.
• Vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine will not change any of these requirements. Masks, social distancing and hand hygiene must continue to be used and practiced.
• Minors: At this time, only those 13 and over are permitted to visit. Exceptions may apply (such as for end-of-life or other critical times) and will be reviewed by the care team.
• If you are unable to visit a patient in person due to COVID precautions, our staff can help set up a video visit with the patient.
• Every visitor should pay strict attention to any signage outside of a patient's room that advises specific personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns, gloves and masks, that needs to be worn. If you are unsure of what PPE is needed to enter the room please reach out to the care team on the unit.

Policies at Specific Jefferson Facilities in Pennsylvania 

Emergency Department

• Up to two visitors will be permitted for the duration of the stay.
• It may be necessary to limit the number of visitors depending on the number of people in the ED and the need for social distancing.

Adult Inpatients

• Up to two visitors permitted at the same time. This may be adjusted to allow for social distancing needs in semi-private rooms and common rooms. Due to limited space, only one visitor at a time may stay with patients at Elkins Park/MossRehab.
• No visitors are permitted for COVID-19 positive patients (or patients with coronavirus symptoms). Exceptions may be made for end-of-life or critical care needs; other circumstances should be addressed with patient’s medical team and infection prevention.

Maternity​

• Up to two visitors permitted at the same time; one doula permitted for the duration of the birth parent's stay (in addition to the two visitors).​
• Neonatal ICU: two parents or guardians will be permitted every 24 hours.

End-of-Life​

• No limit on number of visitors permitted, provided care team approves and deems it is safe and feasible to meet social distancing guidelines.

Clinics/Surgeries/Procedures (Outpatients)

• Up to two support people will be permitted. A child can accompany a parent or caregiver during their medical appointment or PAT visit. Children 2 years old and older MUST wear a mask at all times and must social distance appropriately.
• You must wear an approved mask at all times that covers your nose and mouth.
• Clinics/ambulatory practices - two support people will be permitted.
• Pediatrics/Minors who are patients - two parents or guardians may stay with the minor.

Patients Leaving the Hospital

• Patients who have COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19 will be brought to the vehicle of the person picking up the patient. This protects you, the visitor/support person, from possible virus exposure.
• Patients who do not have COVID-19 may have two visitors/support people accompany them as they leave the unit and are brought to the vehicle.

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Thank you for your understanding during this challenging time. Our goal is to protect you, your loved ones and our staff. Patient and public safety are always our top priorities. 

Thank you for choosing Jefferson Health for your care and the care of your loved ones.