H1N1 & Temporary Visitor Policy

Updated November 5, 2009

As influenza season continues, HealthEast hospitals (St. John's, St. Joseph's, Woodwinds and Bethesda) are committed to the well-being of our patients, visitors, and staff. HealthEast and other metropolitan area hospitals are taking extra steps to help protect the health of our communities.

To help protect everyone’s health, we have implemented a temporary policy to help ensure everybody’s safety in coming months.

What to expect if you visit

All visitors must sign in at the hospital's Welcome Desk and take part in a brief wellness screening. Based on the screening, you will be given a badge with a color-coded sticker:

Green badge - indicates screening was completed and you do not need to wear a mask.
Yellow badge - indicates screening was done and you must wear a mask while visiting.

Visiting hours and guidelines

Visiting hours are 8 am to 8 pm.
Spouses/parents/primary caregivers may visit at any time. However, if you have influenza-like symptoms, we ask that you not come to the hospital.
As influenza season continues, we ask that large groups not gather in the waiting rooms, patient rooms and lobbies. This is for everyone’s safety.
For Labor and Delivery, the father of the baby or mother’s significant other, as well as a doula or a labor coach, may be present at all times.
One adult significant other (or parent or primary caregiver) may visit outside regular hours or spend the night.

Healthy immediate family members ages 5 to 16 may visit. They are expected to comply with directions on respiratory and hand hygiene requirements.

Who cannot visit the hospital?

Children under the age of 5.
People who are not family members of patients who have influenza-like illness.
Children and adolescents under age 16 – unless they are here to see immediate family.

Compassionate exceptions for visitors will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visitors may discuss this with the nursing staff and physicians.

Other ways to stay in touch

If you don't come to the hospital, you can stay in touch on the phone or by sending an e-mail to a patient. Hospital phone numbers and e-mail forms are available on the home page of each one of our hospital web sites.

You may also wish to use CaringBridge. They offer free, personalized web sites that connect family and friends during serious health events.
Go to www.caringbridge.org for details.

If you have questions

If you have questions about these guidelines, please contact HealthEast Infection Prevention and Control:

Bethesda Hospital - 651-232-2198
St. John’s Hospital - 651-232-7097
St. Joseph’s Hospital - 651-232-3058
Woodwinds Health Campus - 651-232-0023

More resources

For helpful, accurate information about both H1N1 novel and seasonal influenza, please visit the Minnesota Department of Health web site.