In accordance with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Texas Health is updating its masking guidelines.
Face masks are required for patients and visitors in areas where care is given (e.g., patient rooms and procedure rooms) and all waiting rooms, even if a person is fully vaccinated. Face masks are strongly encouraged at all times in all areas for persons at high risk of getting sick. Masking is always required for people experiencing respiratory symptoms or those who have been exposed to COVID in the past 10 days. Our guidelines aim to protect our patients and staff, while providing a safe environment for all.
Download Visitor Guidelines
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General Visitor Information
We welcome visitors who meet the following guidelines:
- Must be 16 years or older if not visiting newborn patient.
- Sibling visitors of all ages may visit COVID-19-negative newborn patients in Postpartum. Sibling visitors must be at least 16 years old to visit COVID-19-negative newborn patients in NICU. All visitors must pass health screening. Visit Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, and NICU visiting guidelines for more information.
- Must pass the visitor COVID-19 self-screening, including symptoms, international travel, and exposure risk* before entering the care facility.
- Visitors must wear the hospital-provided wristband at all times.
- Visitors older than 2 must wear a hospital-approved face mask in patient care areas and waiting rooms.
General visiting hours are 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Please check with unit nurse manager or nurse manager designee for unit-specific visiting hours.
Visitors who are COVID-19-positive or suspected COVID-19-positive:
- Visitors with COVID-19 symptoms or other risk factors are not allowed.
- Visitors who have tested positive for COVID-19 may visit only if they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, have improved symptoms, and at least 10 days have passed since first symptom(s) or first positive test date.
- Phone calls and video chats are another way to connect with your loved ones.
* Visitor is not allowed if, within the last 10 days, has been within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, when either the visitor or COVID-19-positive person was not wearing a mask. If they have been exposed to a COVID-19-positive person, they must have had a positive COVID-19 test in the last 90 days, but not within the last 10 days. Additionally, visitor is not allowed if, within the last 7 days, has traveled outside the U.S. in the last 10 days, including to Canada or Mexico per CDC guidelines.
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Behavioral Health
No visitors.
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Clergy
Clergy may visit and must pass visitor screening.
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COVID-19 Patients (Positive or Suspected Positive)
COVID-19 Positive Patients Visitation Guidelines: English | Spanish
How to Put On and Take Off Personal Protective Equipment: English | Spanish
1 visitor at a time, up to 2 visitors per day, for 2 hours each within normal visitation hours. Visitors in the waiting room count toward patient's total visitor count. Visitors must meet the criteria below.
- Pass COVID-19 screening criteria.
- Wear hospital-provided personal protective equipment (PPE) and face mask at all times.
- Stay in patient’s room at all times – no visitors allowed in waiting room or other areas.
- Limit personal items to 1 bag and cellphone.
- No food or drinks allowed in the patient’s room.
- Follow all hospital staff instructions.
There are risks associated with visiting a COVID-positive patient, especially for unvaccinated or immunosuppressed individuals, despite taking all reasonable precautions.
If the patient’s attending physician determined that it is unsafe for a patient to have visitors, we will continue to provide and support the use of virtual tools for visitation and daily patient updates for families.
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Emergency Department
- Non-COVID-19 Patient: Up to 2 support persons may be allowed, based on entity volume and capacity. No restrictions on visiting hours. Visitor must stay with patient and is not allowed to sit in waiting room.
- COVID-19 Patient (Positive or Suspected): 1 visitor may be allowed dependent on facility space availability. Visitor must stay with patient and is not allowed to sit in waiting room. No restrictions on visiting hours.
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Hospital Inpatients
(Non-COVID-19 Patient): 2 visitors at a time within normal visitation hours who meet COVID-19 screening criteria. Visitors in the waiting room count toward patient's total visitor count.
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Labor & Delivery/Postpartum/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Updated Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, and NICU visiting guidelines to further protect mother, baby, partner, patients, and staff.
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Outpatient Services (radiology, lab, pre-admission testing)
- Non-COVID-19 Patient: Up to 2 support persons may be allowed, based on entity volume and capacity. No restrictions on visiting hours. Visitor must stay with patient and is not allowed to sit in waiting room.
- COVID-19 Patient (Positive or Suspected): 1 visitor may be allowed dependent on facility space availability. No restrictions on visiting hours. Visitor must stay with patient and is not allowed to sit in waiting room.
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Outpatient Surgery/Procedure (includes L&D and Surgery Waiting Areas)
- Non-COVID-19 Patient: Up to 2 support persons may be allowed, based on entity volume and capacity. No restrictions on visiting hours. Visitor must stay with patient and is not allowed to sit in waiting room.
- COVID-19 Patient (Positive or Suspected): 1 visitor may be allowed dependent on facility space availability. No restrictions on visiting hours. Visitor must stay with patient and is not allowed to sit in waiting room.
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Patients with Disabilities or Impairment
One support person is allowed. No restrictions on visiting hours.
Support persons must:
- Pass visitor COVID-19 screening before entering the facility.
- Wear hospital-provided personal protective equipment (PPE) and hospital-approved face mask in patient care areas and waiting rooms.
- Follow all hospital staff instructions.
How We’re Keeping You Safe
Texas Health has taken steps to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and make our facilities safe for everyone:
- Virtual visits for patients and loved ones are encouraged.
- Dedicated building entrances with visitor screening stations.
- Limited number of visitors on campus; all are screened at arrival.
- Universal masking guidelines for all visitors, patients, and health care personnel. Find out how to best protect yourself when wearing a mask.
- Access to handwashing and sanitizing stations and supplies for visitors and patients.
- Closure and/or safe distancing restrictions of public water, food, and beverage stations.
- Re-organized seating areas to allow for safe distancing.
- Patients tested before most procedures.
- Health care personnel self-monitor for symptoms; caregivers with symptoms must stay home.
