Visitor Guidelines

St. Francis Medical Center recognizes and embraces the important role that visitors play in the mental well-being and recovery of patients, while remaining vigilant in following infection prevention guidelines. We follow the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommendations, which were updated as of September 17, 2022. California Department of Public Health State Public Officer Order.

Effective September 17, 2022, hospital visitors are no longer required to present proof of vaccination or submit to testing. Vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals may visit hospital patients.

CDPH still requires masking in healthcare settings, which is consistent with CDC recommendations. Guidance for Face Coverings (ca.gov)

Visitors must:

• Wear a well-fitted mask with good filtration (N95, KF94, KN95, or surgical masks are preferred over cloth face coverings) at all times during any visitation at the facility; and
• Wear any other personal protective equipment (PPE) that the hospital staff asks you to wear while in the patient’s or resident’s room.

We also ask that you limit your movement throughout the hospital. By physically distancing from others and remaining in your loved one’s room as much as possible, we can continue to help prevent the spread of infection.
To help maintain a quiet setting for everyone in our care, two visitors are allowed at any given time to visit a patient.

Visitation guidelines are set forth for the following patient categories regardless of pandemic tier level:

Pediatric Patients
Pediatric patients are allowed up to two support persons at a time. For NICU patients, the facility permits two designated support persons that may visit at the same time.

Labor and Delivery Patients
Up to two support persons are allowed to be present with the patient. In addition to the support person(s), a doula, if desired by the patient, is permitted to be present if prior arrangements have been made with the hospital and the doula complies with hospital PPE and infection control guidelines.

Surgery Patients
Up to two visitors will be permitted until the patient is taken into Surgery Preparation (provided social distancing can be accomplished). Visitors will be called by the hospital staff when the patient is ready for discharge and can be picked up at the designated location.

Patients at End-of-Life
For their continued mental health and well-being, up to two visitors will be allowed to be present with the patient.

Patients with Physical, Intellectual, and/or Developmental Disabilities and Patients with Cognitive Impairments
The presence of a support person is essential to patients with physical, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities and patients with cognitive impairments. Up to two support persons will be allowed to be present with the patient. The patient, especially those with prolonged hospitalization, or family/patient representative may designate two support persons.