Visitor Guidelines

Visitor Guidelines

North Memorial Health recognizes the important role visitors play in a loved one’s healthcare journey and is committed to providing a safe and healing environment for all patients, families, visitors, and employees. Visitors are welcome at Maple Grove Hospital and North Memorial Health Hospital 24/7 with a policy that supports the best interest of quality care and privacy.

 

Although masks are no longer required at our facilities, they will be available for those visitors who would like to wear one. Patients may also request for staff to mask as a personal preference.

 

Please only visit if you are healthy. Visitors who have been sick or have tested positive for an illness such as COVID-19, influenza, or RSV in the last 10 days are not permitted in our hospitals or clinics.

Visitor Restrictions

Visiting Hours: 24/7

COVID-19 positive customers and customers suspected of having COVID-19

  • Two healthy visitors are allowed to visit at a time.

Adults (18 and over)

  • Two healthy visitors are allowed to visit at a time.

Pediatric (under 18)

  • Two healthy visitors are allowed to visit at a time; one visitor must be a parent/legal guardian.

Visiting Hours

Primary Caregivers and Designated Caregivers are welcome in the NICU 24 hours a day.

Number of Visitors Allowed

A total of four visitors are allowed at a bedside at any one time (one of these must be a Primary Caregiver). Limitations on the number of visitors may go into effect depending on community health developments such as illness outbreaks or seasonal illness, or circumstances in the NICU, i.e. procedures, emergencies.

Child Visitors

  • Children must be age 5 or older to enter the unit and must be supervised by an adult at all times.
  • The NICU Visitor Communicable Disease Questionnaire must be completed for each visitor 12 years and younger. This should be completed upon entrance to the unit by staff member who opened the door or designee.
    • Visiting children must be current on immunizations.
    • Questionnaire will be reviewed and updated at each visit.
    • The document will be retained for the duration of the patient stay.
  • Children younger than 12 years may not hold the infant unless under the direct supervision of the parent.
  • Length of visit by any child may be limited based on unit circumstances and/or the age of the visitor and how the baby is reacting to increased stimulation. For example, if a visiting child is being disruptive or loud and it is causing stress to patients, the parent may be asked to take the visiting child out of the unit.
  • In the case of multiples where one of the infants remains hospitalized, the other infant is permitted entrance to the NICU to encourage tandem breastfeeding and visitation with the hospitalized infant. Effort should be made to accommodate the visitors in a private room if available.

Two healthy visitors allowed at a time

By appointment only, evaluated on a case by case basis

Visitor Policy

Visiting hours at Maple Grove Hospital and North Memorial Health Hospital are open 24/7.

Policy

  • North Memorial Health welcomes patient’s choice of visitors including but not limited to a spouse, a domestic partner including a same sex partner, another family member or friend.
  • North Memorial Health does not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, or disability.
  • Each patient’s comfort level and need for visitors differs. There are no set visiting hours at North Memorial Health. However, visitors will be asked to be respectful of the comfort of the patient they are visiting, as well as other patients and their visitors.
  • To protect the safety of our patients, North Memorial Health encourages visitors that are sick/ill or knowingly have been exposed to someone with a communicable disease does not visit patients. During certain times of the year when outbreaks of illness are higher, there will be signage at entrances to the hospital and patient care areas to inform visitors of illness-related visitor restrictions.
  • Children under the age of 14 must be always accompanied by a responsible individual other than the patient.
  • Children under the age of 18 will only be allowed to stay overnight as a guest in the patient’s room if the following criteria are met:
    • Patient is in stable condition- hospital staff reserve the right to request that children leave the room (with a responsible adult) if the patient’s condition is unstable
    • The child must be healthy and well.
    • A second adult (18 years or older designated by the patient) must be always present and is responsible for the care of the infant/child.
    • Family (or other delegate) can provide all supplies necessary for the care of the child. North Memorial Health will provide Linen for bed accommodations and/or may provide a bassinet for infants if available.
  • Dependent adults will be allowed to stay overnight as a guest in the patient’s room if the following criteria are met:
    • Patient’s medical condition permits the stay- hospital staff reserve the right to request that the dependent adult leave the room (with a responsible adult) if the patient’s condition is unstable.
    • The dependent adult must be healthy and well.
    • A second adult (18 years or older designated by the Patient) must be always present and is responsible for the care of the dependent adult.
    • Responsibility for dependent adult supplies, except for couch and linen, will be provided by the family of the dependent adult.
  • NICU: There are specific guidelines for visiting infants/patients in our neonatal intensive care units. These guidelines are available from the NICUs at North Memorial Health Hospital and Maple Grove Hospital.
  • In the absence of a responsible adult to care for a child or dependent adult visitor; the patient will be informed of need to provide a responsible adult within the hour. If unable to obtain a responsible adult or alternate plan the Administrative Manager will be notified to outline a safe plan. Administrative Manager will share/explore other options such as Adult Daycare, hiring a caregiver, or respite placement. Administrative Manager may determine need to bring visitor to Emergency room for assessment and placement needs. Administrative Manager may need to consult with county social services:

Procedure

  • Upon admission to North Memorial Health, the Consent for Services is signed by patients. It includes the Disclosure of Presence:

“I understand that during my visit my friends, family, or others, may call to inquire about my presence at North Memorial Health. I authorize North Memorial Health to disclose information about my presence and/or location at this facility to anyone who may inquire about me by name. This may, when appropriate, include a one-word description of my condition: critical, serious, fair or good.”

  • Patients are informed on their visitation rights via their Admission Handbook and Patients’ Bill of Rights brochure.
  • The patient and designee will be informed of any clinical or safety restrictions or limitation on visitors depending on the patient’s health care or treatment needs and the needs of other patients.
  • The patient may decide to withdraw or deny permission for having visitors. Patients who withdraw permission for having visitors will be listed in Epic as a non-disclosure patient. Non-disclosure is a request chosen by the patient by which the patient’s presence or any information regarding the patient may not be disclosed to anyone who inquires. Non-disclosure status is an all or none visitation status. If a patient chooses to be on nondisclosure status but wants to allow certain visitors, the patient must speak directly with those visitors. Patient presence at the hospital will not be discussed by hospital staff or volunteers.
  • All visitors entering the hospital are required to obtain a photo visitor badge from the Welcome or Security desk and must be visible at all times.
  • Anyone found in unauthorized locations may be re-directed or asked to leave by Safety and Security personnel.

Weapon Screening - North Memorial Health Hospital

Individuals visiting North Memorial Health Hospital are required to go through a weapons screening to ensure the safety of our customers, staff, and visitors.