The safety of our patients, staff, and visitors remains our top priority. In collaboration with local and state officials, we continue to update our policies and procedures.
Masking
All visitors must wear masks over their nose and mouth, and under their chin at all times when indoors. Masks are also required outside in a small zone around our doorways. Visitors who don’t comply with these rules will be required to leave.
Inpatient Visits
During COVID-19, the rules for visiting patients in our hospitals fall into four categories: Visitation Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4.
Our hospital is currently at Visitation Level 2. Check the inpatient visitation rules chart below to see the rules and restrictions for this level.
Vaccination screening for visitors
By California state order, hospital visitors must be screened for their COVID-19 vaccination status. Before being allowed indoors as a visitor, you must show proof that you’re fully vaccinated or proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test result (where the test was administered within the last 72 hours). Get more details about the vaccine screening requirement.
Note that you cannot enter the patient care area until the patient you’re visiting has received a negative COVID-19 test result. (All patients admitted to the hospital are tested for COVID-19.)
Visiting a COVID-positive patient
If the patient you’re visiting has COVID-19, certain restrictions apply regardless of the hospital’s current visitation level. See the chart below for rules about visiting COVID-positive patients.
Health Screening Questions
You’ll be asked some COVID-19 health screening questions when you arrive. Be prepared to answer these questions, have your temperature taken, and be prepared to provide government-issued photo identification and your vaccination card.
Video Visits
You may visit a patient via video instead of in person. Please ask our staff for help arranging a video visit with a patient.
Inpatient Visiting Rules
General Visitation Level 2: Inpatient Areas (Patients Without COVID-19)
| Patient Population | Visitors/Caregivers | Hours/Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Inpatient | Two healthy visitors per calendar day | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Visitation by Minor Dependents
Dependents under age 18 may visit by request only. Patients and Visitors may request a scheduled visit from their minor dependents twice a week. Dependents must be able to pass screening and comply with masking (age 2 and older) and physical distancing rules.
COVID-Positive Patients: Visiting Rules
The following restrictions apply to COVID-19 patients and outpatients regardless of the current visitation level.
General Visitation: Inpatient Areas (Patients With COVID-19)
| Patient Population | Visitors/Caregivers | Hours/Duration | Notes |
| COVID-19 Adult | Video visits only | All hours | Exceptions are made at the end of life. |
How Visitation Levels Are Determined
The Visitation leadership team will recommend moving to more restrictive visitation levels when at least two of the criteria for a stricter visitation are met. The Visitation leadership team will recommend moving to less restrictive visitation levels when all three of the criteria for the lower level are met.
Guide to Visitation Levels
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Convalescent Surge Status (7 days in new range) | Green (0-2 patients) | Green or Yellow (0-4 patients) | Orange (4-6 patients) | Red (Greater than 6 patients) |
| Health Order in Place | Visitation order not active | Visitation order active, shelter in place not active | Visitation order active, shelter in place not active | Visitation order active, shelter in place active |
| Santa Cruz County C19 Case Rate (per 100k) | <2.0 daily new cases | 2.0-60.0 daily new cases | >60.0 daily new cases | Activated at the discretion of hospital leadership |
Exceptions
- Visits to patients who are at the end of their life (have less than seven days to live, are on comfort care, or are being discharged to hospice as their next level of care).
- Visits by anyone who is legally authorized to make decisions for the patient, whether by operation of a durable power of attorney (DPOA) or conservatorship, or in the role of a surrogate decision-maker as recognized by the care provider team for patients who lack decisional capacity.
- Support people for patients with cognitive impairment or other neurological injury (such as stroke) or for patients who have developed hospital delirium or dementia, where the consistent presence of the visitor is necessary to reduce the risk of medical or clinical harm.
- Support people for patients who require assistance because of developmental disabilities, physical disabilities or limitations, or cognitive impairment.
- Visits by family and legal advisers to update a patient’s will or other legal papers.
- Unique situations in which the visiting needs should be discussed with the on-site nursing director.
Information for Families of Patients
- Patients and their loved ones must designate a single individual to be the point of contact for all information and conversations with the health care team.
- The designated point of contact will be responsible for sharing information with family members or loved ones who should have this information.
- The designated point of contact will hear from a care team member at least once a day for regular updates or more frequently if the patient’s condition or treatment changes significantly.
- Some exceptions may apply, as determined by the health care team.
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