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Visitor Policy - Red

Saint Joseph Health System recognizes the importance visitors play in the care and recovery of patients. As local COVID-19 case counts change, it is also critical that the health system adjust visitation guidelines to ensure a balance between patient care and overall safety. Please see the guidelines below to find the most updated information regarding visitation in our health facilities.

If you cannot visit a patient in-person, click here for more information on how to stay connected to your loved ones.

Everyone must wear a mask and will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19.

Visiting Hours are 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday and 12:00 PM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday.
  • Must be age 18 or older.
    • If the father of a newborn or pediatric patient is under the age of 18, he will be allowed to visit.
  • Must be free of symptoms of a respiratory infection.
  • Must present for a screening at a facility entrance during visitation hours:
    • SJHS-Mishawaka: Mon-Fri 2 pm – 7 pm, Sat-Sun noon – 5 pm.
    • SJHS-Plymouth: Mon-Fri 2 pm – 7 pm, Sat-Sun noon – 5 pm.
  • Must wear an appropriate mask, which covers both the nose and mouth at all times, during their entire visit.
  • Visitors who fail to wear a mask during their entire visit will be asked to leave the building.
  • Must wash hands and maintain appropriate social distancing.
  • Adjustments to the number of visitors may need to be made based on safety for the patient, visitors, and/or ability of caregivers to provide care.
  • For patients who are not under investigation and not diagnosed with COVID:
    • Two (2) designated visitors are allowed per day, only ONE (1) visitor may visit at a time.
    • One (1) switch-out is permitted.
    • Once a visitor leaves, re-entry is not permitted.
  • For patients who are under investigation for COVID-19 or are diagnosed with COVID-19, they may identify one (1) close contact as a designated visitor for the duration of their stay.
    • Re-entry is not permitted.
    • The designated visitor must sign a "Special Circumstance Visitation Guideline" document.
  • For patients who are not under investigation and not diagnosed with COVID, they may have one (1) visitor accompany them.
    • Switch-outs are not permitted.
    • Re-entry is permitted.
  • For patients who are under investigation for COVID-19 or are diagnosed with COVID-19, they may identify one (1) close contact as their designated visitor for the duration of their stay.
    • It is preferred that the designated visitor is from the same household as the patient.
    • Switch-outs are not permitted.
    • Re-entry is permitted.
    • The designated visitor must sign a "Special Circumstance Visitation Guideline" document.
  • For patients who are not under investigation and not diagnosed with COVID, they may have one (1) visitor accompany them.
    • Switch-outs are not permitted.
    • Re-entry is permitted.
    • The patient's responsible party will serve as the one visitor.
    • If the patient's responsible party cannot be physically present, the patient may choose an alternate support person to accompany them and the responsible party will be contacted via phone.
  • For patients who are under investigation for COVID-19 or are diagnosed with COVID-19, visitors who are not required in order to perform medical care or decision-making for the patient are encouraged not to accompany patients whenever possible.
    • One (1) Essential Support Person may accompany the patient (as defined in the "Definitions" section of this policy).
  • For patients who are not under investigation and not diagnosed with COVID, parents or the mother and one (1) designated support person may visit for the entire duration of their stay.
    • The one (1) designated support person must remain consistent.
    • Switch-outs are not permitted.
    • Re-entry is not permitted.
  • For patients who are under investigation for COVID-19 or are diagnosed with COVID-19, parents or the mother and one (1) designated support person may visit for the entire duration of their stay.
    • The one (1) designated support person must remain consistent.
    • Switch-outs are not permitted.
    • Re-entry is not permitted.
    • Each designated visitor must sign a "Special Circumstance Visitation Guideline" document.
  • For patients who are not under investigation and not diagnosed with COVID, parents or the mother and one (1) designated support person may visit for the duration of their stay.
    • One (1) designated support person must remain consistent.
    • Switch-outs are not permitted.
    • Re-entry is not permitted.
  • For patients who are under investigation for COVID-19 or are diagnosed with COVID-19, parents or the mother of the pediatric patient and one (1) designated support person may visit for the entire duration of their stay.
    • The one (1) designated support person must remain consistent.
    • Switch-outs are not permitted.
    • Re-entry is not permitted.
    • Each designated visitor must sign a “Special Circumstance Visitation Guideline” document.
  • For patients who are not under investigation and not diagnosed with COVID, patients may identify one (1) designated support person inclusive of the father of the baby/significant other for the entire duration of their stay.
    • One (1) designated support person is permitted at a time in the OB Triage area.
    • Switch-outs are not permitted.
    • Re-entry is not permitted.
  • For patients who are under investigation for COVID-19 or are diagnosed with COVID-19, patients may identify one (1) designated support person inclusive of the father of the baby/significant other for the duration of their stay.
    • One (1) designated support person is permitted at a time in the OB Triage.
    • Switch-outs are not permitted.
    • Re-entry is not permitted.
    • Each designated visitor must sign a “Special Circumstance Visitation Guideline” document.
  • In end-of-life situations that are not COVID-related, two (2) adult visitors may visit at a time.  
    • Up to six (6) designated visitors who are immediate family may switch out. This refers to a spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and companion.
    • Visitors may switch out.
    • Re-entry is permitted.
    • Visits may be permitted outside of regular visiting hours.
  • In end-of-life situations that are COVID-related, two (2) adult visitors may visit at a time.
    • Up to six (6) designated visitors who are immediate family may switch out. This refers to a spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and companion.
    • Re-entry is permitted.
    • Visits may be permitted outside of regular visiting hours.
    • Each visitor must sign a "Special Circumstance Visitation Guideline" document.
  • Patients are required to attend appointments alone unless an Essential Support Person is required for care.
    • An Essential Support Person is defined as an individual who is a responsible party for the patient’s care. This individual is essential to perform the medical care and decision-making for/with the patient. This individual has been verified by the medical team as being essential for the delivery of medical care and may present in person for phases of that care.
  • Fever and Upper Respiratory Illness (FURI) Clinics: The clinic will identify guidelines for accompanying the patient at the time of scheduling.
  • Compassionate Care Situations
    • Compassionate Care Situations apply for patients experiencing any of the following:
      • A patient who is experiencing weight loss or dehydration and is in need of cuing or encouragement for eating and drinking;
      • A patient who is experiencing emotional distress, depression or grief;
      • A patient who is experiencing an acute health situation that requires immediate attention;
      • A patient who is undergoing surgery with general anesthesia;
      • A patient who is unable to provide or does not know pertinent and critical medical information that would aid the health care professional treating the patient (such as post-op instructions, medication changes, mobility restrictions, etc.);
      • A patient who is a fall risk and a visitor can enhance the safety of the patient;
      • A victim has the right to an advocate during the medical forensic exam.
  • Essential Support Person or Caregiver
    • A caregiver is defined as an individual who is a responsible party for the patient’s care. This individual is essential to perform the medical care and decision-making for/with the patient. This individual has been verified by the medical team as being essential for the delivery of medical care and may present in person for phases of that care. Examples include, but are not limited to:
      • To accompany a patient who is a minor.
      • When an adult patient is unable to obtain childcare and arrives with their child.
      • To accompany a patient who is pregnant.
      • To accompany an adult patient who is developmentally or cognitively impaired.
      • To accompany a patient who may be unable to ambulate reliably, or change clothes, without additional assistance.
      • To accompany a patient who has a physical or sensory limitation that renders the patient unable to interact without the assistance of an essential support person.
      • Any patient that will receive sedation or other procedures that would affect the patient's cognitive ability.
      • SJHS recognizes that the ability/status of a patient may change over the course of care, necessitating a change in visitor or essential support person allowances.
  • Visitor
    • A visitor is an individual who is present to provide social support for a patient (regardless of status: inpatient or outpatient). This individual is not required in order to perform medical care or decision-making for the patient.
      • SJHS recognizes that the ability/status of a patient may change over the course of care, necessitating a change in visitor or essential support person allowances.

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