COVID-19 Visitation Policy
Masking Update
Updated March 31, 2023
On March 3, the Washington State Department of Health announced that that the Secretary of Health Mask Order, which required universal masking for people age 5 and older in healthcare, long-term care and adult correctional facilities, would end, effective April 3, 2023.
- Effective April 3, 2023,
- OMC patients and visitors will not be required to mask, unless they meet one of the following criteria:
- Are in a designated respiratory area in OMC or OMP (e.g. pediatric clinic respiratory entrance, areas of Walk in Clinics, etc.),
- Present with COVID-19, COVID-19-like symptoms or other respiratory symptoms,
- Are visiting patients in isolation requiring masks or at any patient’s request.
- OMC staff universal masking for source control will continue to be required for direct patient care in all patient care units/areas within OMC Hospitals and OMP clinic settings.
- OMC staff universal masking for source control will not be required in shared office spaces, public spaces (hallways, elevators, café, cafeteria), and meeting/conference rooms.
- OMC patients and visitors will not be required to mask, unless they meet one of the following criteria:
OMC continues to strongly recommend masking in OMC facilities to protect our most vulnerable populations.
If COVID-19 outbreaks occur again or if the level of COVID-19 in the community increases, more stringent masking throughout OMC may be required again.
Seasons Café and the espresso stand are open, but the plexiglass dividers and distancing of tables and chairs in the Café will remain.
Pre-procedural testing at the Short Stay Unit, testing of patients being admitted to the hospital and routine inpatient screening for COVID-19 will continue.
Hospital Patient Visitors
- General visiting hours in the hospital are from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.
- Hospital visitors will be screened at the Main Hospital Entrance for symptoms of COVID-19. Outpatient clinic registration staff will perform COVID-19 screening upon patient/visitor arrival.
Hospital Visiting Hours
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
OMP Clinic Patient Visitors
OMP Clinic patients will be allowed no more than 2 (two) visitors to accompany them to their appointments. Please see OMP clinic visitor requirements and exceptions below.
Olympic Medical Center is committed to providing a safe environment for our patients, staff, visitors and our community members. We also recognize the positive effect of having family, loved ones, and supporters at the bedside to improve the healing process. With this in mind, we are working with our infection prevention team and our community public health jurisdiction to monitor COVID-19 activity in the community and appropriately mitigate any risks.
- Visitors will be screened for symptoms of respiratory illness.
- Visitors cannot have tested positive or have been in contact with anyone who tested positive (with the exception of the patient they are visiting) for COVID-19 within the last 14 days or have a pending COVID-19 results.
Hospital Visitor Policy
- Community-based authorized clinicians directly involved in the care of the patient are in addition to the patient’s approved visitor(s).
- Interpreters are in addition to the patient’s visitor(s).
- Clergy members that have completed PPE training and provided required documentation to Patient Experience will be considered in addition to the patient’s approved visitor(s).
- Visitors will not be allowed in the rooms of patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, except for limited situations such (e.g. comfort care, or Labor & Delivery), at the discretion of unit leadership and infection control. If visitors are approved to visit an active COVID-19 patient, they need to indicate understanding the potential infection risk of visitation and be offered either a regular mask or non-fit tested N95 + eye protection + gown + gloves.
Children Visitation Policy
Children should always be accompanied by an adult other than the patient. Visits by children younger than 8 years of age should be coordinated with the patient’s registered nurse and the patient or patient’s designated representative.
- Birth Center
- Visitors under the age of 12 are limited to siblings of the newborn, must be accompanied by an adult other than the laboring mother or the main support person, and remain with an adult throughout the visit.
- ICU/Telemetry
- Supervised children over the age of 8 may be allowed, following the registered nurse’s approval, to visit under special circumstances.
- Visiting children under the age of 8 are discouraged as these patients are highly susceptible to infectious illness, and equipment can create hazard for small children. This is also to protect young children from potential exposure to illnesses within ICU/Telemetry.
- Medical/Surgical/Pediatric
- Under special circumstances, the sibling of a pediatric patient may be allowed to stay overnight. Siblings must be supervised by am adult and the overnight stay must be approved by the nursing supervisor.
OMP Clinic Visitor Policy
- OMP Clinic patient visitors must stay with the patient throughout the visit, unless dismissed by provider for portion of exam.
- Interpreters are in addition to the patient’s visitor.
- Children under the age of 16 will not be allowed to visit, except under extraordinary circumstances, as determined by the hospital or clinic supervisor.
- No visitors will be allowed in rooms of patients who are suspected or confirmed to have an active COVID-19 infection, except in limited situations approved by clinic manager and infection control.
For more information on COVID-19, please visit www.olympicmedical.org/coronavirus and www.clallam.net/coronavirus. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines available to Clallam County residents, please visit www.olympicmedical.org/services/covid-19-services/ and www.olympicmedical.org/covid-19-vaccine-information.
Recognizing the many benefits of engaging families and friends in support of the patient, we fully support virtual methods of visiting.
All Olympic Medical Center services are open to provide care for patients. Heightened precautions will be used for the health and safety of our healthcare workers, patients, and the general public in these settings. We recognize the many benefits of engaging families and friends in support of the patient and healing process. However, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been taking extra measures of protection.
This guidance cannot anticipate every situation. Patients and families should coordinate directly with the care team for any questions. Concerns may be escalated up through supervisory staff.
We appreciate your understanding as we continue to provide the safest possible environment for our patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. OMC reserves the right to use discretion in reviewing circumstances for visitation. If a situation arises outside of these visiting guidelines, contact the House Supervisor in Nursing Administration for hospital questions or the Clinic Manager for clinic questions.