Visitor Restrictions

Updated 4/14/2021

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has provided guidelines for healthcare facilities to continue to take safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

What you need to know

The visitor policy has been revised to allow limited visitors in our facilities, except at Henry Ford Hospital, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital and Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

We recognize the importance of love and support when a patient is hospitalized or receiving care. Because our patient care philosophy depends greatly on engaging families as part of the healing process, any decision to restrict visitation and limit family presence is difficult. However, the health and safety of our patients and employees is of utmost importance.

Learn more about our commitment to safety. 

What has changed

• Masks must be worn at all times by staff, patients and visitors age five years and older. Anyone who refuses to wear a mask will not be allowed to enter the facility.
• All patients, visitors and staff are screened for COVID-19 before entry to our facilities, which includes a temperature check.
• All visitors should remain with the patient except for quick trips to the bathroom or to purchase food.
• All visitors should refrain from eating, drinking or sharing patient's restroom while visiting with inpatient.
• For your safety, we strongly discourage visitors who are at high risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19, including older adults and persons with underlying medical conditions.
• Hospitalized* patients may have one adult visitor, within a 24-hour period, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. A total of two visitors will be permitted for the duration of the patient’s hospital stay.
• Pediatric patients may have one parent/caregiver accompany them for inpatient stays. One parent/caregiver is allowed for outpatient and clinic visits unless it is for an infant two months old or less. In that case, two parents/caregivers are permitted.
• Henry Ford Macomb Hospital does not currently allow visitors

Why we are restricting visitors

Although we are seeing a decrease in cases of COVID-19 (both in our hospitals and around the state) we are closely watching the emerging COVID-19 variants across Michigan and the United States. As you may know, the U.K. variant has already been identified in Michigan. Because it’s not yet known how quickly these variants might spread, and how they could impact our communities and hospitals, we will continue to restrict visitation. The policy restricts the numbers of visitors at our facilities until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat. As we can safely allow more visitors, we will do so.

Hospital campus visitor restrictions

Our hospital campuses* allow one visitor per patient in a 24-hour period, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. No more than two different visitors are allowed for the duration of the inpatient hospital stay.

Pediatric patients may have one parent/caregiver accompany them for inpatient stays.

*Henry Ford Hospital, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Henry Ford Allegiance Health. Henry Ford Macomb Hospital visitor restrictions can be found here and information on Henry Ford Kingswood Hospital visitor restrictions can be found here.

Outpatient/medical center visitor restrictions

All patients and visitors entering a Henry Ford facility for an outpatient appointment or service will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19, which includes a temperature check. Masks must be worn by anyone five years and older. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you. All safety precautions must be followed.

• Patients who have an appointment at a Henry Ford medical center or clinic, who are coming in for lab or radiology services, or who are getting care in the Emergency Department may have one person with them to transport the patient into and around the facility.
• Patients in outpatient settings may have one visitor present who is necessary to assist with medical care or daily living including:
  • Visitors accompanying patients who have physical, cognitive or mental disabilities of any kind and require assistance, including patients who are deaf, hard of hearing or blind
  • Visitors/caregivers needed to provide support at an appointment that will establish an ongoing treatment plan or discussion of clinical care decisions
  • Visitors with power of attorney/surrogate decision-makers, or court-appointed guardianship. They may visit as necessary for the purpose of exercising these powers. This includes visitors who are witnessing/notarizing documents for patients.
• Pediatric patients can have one parent/caregiver with them. For infants less than 2 months old, two parents/caregivers can be with them. 
• For pregnant patients, a spouse/partner may attend the patient's prenatal, ultrasound and NST appointments.
• Drivers for patients undergoing surgery, procedures or emergency care must remain in the designated waiting area and leave the facility as soon as possible.

Emergency department visitor restrictions

• Because cases of COVID-19 are surging in Michigan, no visitors are currently allowed in any Henry Ford Emergency Departments, unless a private patient room in the ER is available.
• Patients who are in a private room are allowed one visitor. Two visitors will be allowed for critically ill or end of life patients.
• Note: No visitors are currently allowed in any department at Henry Ford Hospital, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital and Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, including the ER, except for critically ill or end of life patients.
• All visitors should remain in the ER private patient room at all times.
• Everyone who enters a Henry Ford Emergency Department will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19, which includes a temperature check.
• Visitors who do not pass the COVID-19 screening are not allowed to enter unless they are the parent or legal guardian of a minor patient, the support person for a patient in labor, or if they meet allowances in the “All Settings” section below.

All settings visitor allowances

The following visitors are allowed in all settings: 

• Visitors with power of attorney /surrogate decision-makers, or court-appointed guardianship. This includes visitors who are witnessing/notarizing documents for patients.
• Visitors who are needed to assist patients with physical or mental disabilities of any kind, including patients who are deaf, hard of hearing and blind
• Drivers for patients (including children) undergoing surgery or procedures or emergency care. The driver, however, must leave the facility as soon as possible after the encounter and must remain in designated waiting area.
• Personnel providing services to our patients, such as, interpreter services and chaplains.
• Patients who are at the end-of-life or in hospice may have visitors, with the number of visits and visitors at the discretion of hospital leadership. Visitors may include family members under the age of 16 with permission of the health care team.
• Patients with pending or positive COVID-19 tests will not be allowed visitors except in the following situations:
  • Patients with pending or positive COVID-19 tests who are at end of life.
  • Laboring mothers and pediatric patients.
  • Any other extenuating circumstance as approved by hospital leadership. 

Staying connected with hospitalized loved ones