COVID-19 Information Visitor Policy for COVID-19

Visitor Policy for COVID-19

Updated Sept. 30, 2022

GENERAL POLICIES

To limit the spread of COVID-19 virus, Monument Health had developed policies to limit the number of people inside its healing environments.

  • All hospitalized patients, including those with COVID-19, may have up to 2 visitors at a time between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Patients with an active COVID-19 illness (days 1 through 10 of infection), showing signs of illness, or awaiting results of a COVID-19 test, must wear a mask.
  • All visitors must follow all personal protection equipment (PPE) directions from the care team, depending on care needs of the patient.
  • All visitors are asked to screen themselves for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entering a facility. If you have symptoms, a pending COVID-19 test or recent contact with a COVID-19-positive person, you must not enter a facility.
  • All visitors are encouraged to wear a mask while inside any Monument Health facility.
  • Those visiting COVID-19-positive patients will be REQUIRED to wear medical-grade procedural masks, gowns, eye protection and gloves inside the patient room.
  • Visitors to COVID-19 patients must go directly to the patient’s room and stay there until it’s time to leave the hospital.
  • Depending on waiting room capacity to accomplish social distancing, visitors or support persons could be asked to wait outside the facility.
  • Visitation at any Monument Health facility might be delayed or denied, depending on care needs of the patient.
  • Vendor access to Monument Health facilities is currently suspended, with the exception of those vendors who are essential for patient care, surgical procedures or current operational needs.​​​​​​​

By Department

Emergency Department - 1 visitor
  • If the patient is under 18 years of age, the visitor should be a parent or legal guardian. In these cases, two parents/guardians may be with their child.
  • When the Emergency Department is busy, the patient’s family may be asked to designate a single support person to accompany the patient throughout the visit.
Cancer Care Institute – 2 visitors 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • This includes patients receiving outpatient cancer care. The policy for inpatient oncology unit is covered under the GENERAL POLICIES.
  • Visitors might be asked to wait outside if the waiting area cannot accommodate the number of people in the area and maintain physical distancing.
Urgent Care, Outpatient Services – 2 support people
  • This includes physician visits, imaging, and Urgent Care.
  • If the patient is under 18, at least one support person should be a parent or legal guardian.
  • Urgent Care patients and their support persons will be asked to remain in their vehicle in the parking lot and call the posted number to wait until they are called.
  • The Urgent Care support person can be a minor. In some situations, other family members can accompany the patient as well.
Surgery and Procedures – 1 support person
  • The support person should wait offsite while the patient is having their procedure until contacted by the patient’s care team.
  • This is true for surgeries and endoscopic procedures.
  • Exceptions include cases where the patient is a child or disabled adult. Then the family member can stay in the waiting room.
New Babies, Children – 2 visitors
  • In Labor and Delivery, up to two visitors at a time can take turns being with mothers and newborns.
  • In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Pediatrics Department or the Emergency Department up to two parents/guardians will be allowed to be with their child.
  • Each visitor will need a passcode provided by the patient.
Monument Health Rehabilitation Hospital – 2 visitors
  • Patients at Monument Health Rehabilitation Center in Rapid City are permitted two visitors at a time, visitors 17 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Please call 605-755-1230 prior to arriving to ensure the visit will not interfere with patient therapy schedules.
Hospice, End-of-Life – please contact facility staff
  • Visitors are required to comply with all safety protocols, including hand hygiene, masking, and physical distancing.

TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP YOU STAY IN TOUCH

Patients are still able to stay in touch with friends and family via electronic means such as Google Hangouts, Zoom, Jitsi Meet or Apple FaceTime. In many cases, Monument Health hospitals have iPads available for patient use if patients don’t have their own devices.

In addition, family and friends can send e-cards to their hospitalized loved one by visiting the Monument Health E-Cards web page. Your card will be printed in the hospital and delivered with the patient’s meal. Patients at all five Monument Health Hospitals, as well as the Orthopedic & Specialty Hospital, can receive cards.

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