Temporary Visitor Restrictions
Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered health care facilities to continue to take safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Henry Ford Health System adopted these measures for the safety of our patients, families and staff, including restricting the numbers of visitors to healthcare settings including hospitals, emergency departments and outpatient clinics.
We recognize the importance of the support by loved ones during a patient's hospitalization or when receiving health care services. Because our patient care philosophy depends greatly on engaging families to be present as part of the healing process, the decision to restrict visitation and limit family presence was difficult. However, of utmost importance is the health and safety of the patients under our care and our employees.
Therefore, we will continue to restrict the numbers of visitors at our facilities until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat. As we are able to safely allow more visitors, we will do so. Please check your Henry Ford Health System hospital’s website for current visiting hours.
Hospital visitor restrictions
As we are able to safely allow more visitors, we will do so. Please check your hospital’s website for current visiting hours and specific restrictions.
Exceptions to visitor restrictions
All settings - one visitor allowed unless otherwise specified
- Visitors with power of attorney /surrogate decision-makers, or court-appointed guardianship may visit as necessary for the purpose of exercising these powers, and must remain in the room for the duration of the visit.
- 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 undergoing surgery or procedures or emergency care; driver must leave the facility as soon as possible after the encounter, and must remain in designated waiting area.
Inpatient setting
Visitation hours and numbers of visitors will be determined by each facility to maintain social distancing and safety for patients, visitors and employees.
Critically ill patients and others, as determined by each facility, are allowed 2 visitors that may visit on a rotating basis throughout the day.
- Only one of the visitors may visit each day and only in one of the hospital's specified time slot, with few exceptions.
- The ONE visitor is to choose ONE block of time to visit with the patient and cannot attend all three times
Exceptions to the visitor restrictions for inpatient settings
-
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN): One birth parent or guardian who must remain in the room for the duration of the visit.
- Pediatric unit: One parent/care giver who must remain in the room for the duration of the visit.
- Minors in inpatient behavioral health units: Arrangements will be made for one parent or guardian to visit at an off-unit location.
- Obstetric patients may have one person accompany them who must remain in the room for the duration. In addition, a doula with appropriate credentials may also accompany a laboring mother during admission for labor and for a period after birth.
- Patients who are at the end-of-life or in hospice may have visitors. The number of visits and visitors will be determined by each hospital.
- Visitors may include, with permission of the health care team, family members under the age of 16.
- If patient is end-of-life and COVID-19 positive, visitors must wear additional appropriate PPE (procedural mask, full face shield/protective goggles, gown and gloves) while in the patient's room.
- COVID-19 positive inpatients:
- In cases of household contact such as parent/child or laboring mother/support person, the parent/ support person is considered exposed and must wear additional appropriate PPE. The parent/support person must remain in the patient's room with PPE on (procedural mask, full face shield/ protective goggles, gown and gloves) for the duration of the visit.
- When leaving the unit to leave the facility, visitors must remove gown and gloves and continue to
wear a procedure mask.
Outpatient Setting:
- Patients who have an appointment at a Henry Ford Health System clinic, laboratory, radiology or are visiting the Emergency Department may have one person with them if needed to transport the patient into and around the facility.
- Patients in outpatient settings may have one visitor present who is necessary for the provision of medical care or the support of activities of daily living, e.g. for patients who are cognitively impaired, or for encounters that include initiation of series-based treatment or discussion of clinical care decisions.
- Pediatric patients may have two parents/caregivers accompany them for encounters after passing the screening.
- Prenatal visits: Spouses/partners may attend the patient's prenatal appointments, after passing screening.
What to expect when visiting a Henry Ford Health System facility
Visitors and patients entering any of our facilities, including hospitals, emergency rooms and medical centers, should expect the following:
- Entry will be limited to main entrance points 24/7.
- Signage will be provided at the visitor entrance instructing visitors to be assessed for symptoms of
COVID-19 before entry and instructing persons who have symptoms of a respiratory infection, including,
but not limited to, fever, cough, or shortness of breath to not enter the facility.
- Signage will be provided at entrances and elsewhere with information about screening, wearing a mask, social distancing
and advising the use of hand washing/hand sanitizer before entering facility and before and after entering
patient rooms.
- Screening will be conducted by trained Henry Ford Health System staff to include screening for::
- COVID-19 diagnosis in the last 21 days OR
- Unprotected contact (i.e. no PPE) with anyone in the past 14 days with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 OR
- Fever defined as ≥100.4 F OR
- New loss of taste or sense of smell OR
- TWO OR MORE new symptoms in last 3 days: fever, chills, drenching sweats, new cough, shortness of breath, body aches, headache, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion, or nausea/vomiting/diarrhea.
- If a visitor screens positive to any of the above criteria, the visitor will not be allowed to enter the facility
- Exception: If the visitor is considered essential to the patient's visit (i.e. parent or guardian, aiding a patient
with a disability, needed to interpret for wayfinding, essential for the patient completing the
service), the visitor will be allowed to enter.
- The visitor must wear a face covering at all times unless medically unable to tolerate and must
practice good hand hygiene.
- If a visitor passes the screening and does not have a face covering, they will be issued a face mask to wear for entire duration of the
visit and until they leave the facility.
- If a visitor passes the screening and refuse to wear a mask and are medically able to tolerate a mask, they will not be allowed to
enter the facility.
We appreciate your understanding during these uncertain times. Our goal is to protect you, your loved one and our staff. If you have questions, please visit our COVID-19 (Coronavirus) page.
