COVID-19 Strict Patient Safety (Visitor or Care Partner) Policy
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, UMMS has continually assessed and adjusted our policies to best protect team members, patients, care partners and our communities. The Strict Patient Safety (Visitor or Care Partner) Policy includes comprehensive measures to support the needs of our patients while ensuring our hospitals and clinics remain safe places for care.
This policy establishes four color-coded levels and associated patient safety measures, moving from least restrictive to the most restrictive: Level Green, Level Yellow, Level Orange and Level Red. Each color-coded level is clearly defined within the policy, allowing our System to quickly and easily scale precautionary measures to reflect actual conditions while maintaining alignment with the Maryland Department of Health and working in conjunction with other health care partners.
In addition, this policy recognizes the importance of visitors to patient recovery and health by adopting the term “care partner” – instead of visitor – to reflect the diversity of support that visitors provide.
We continue to limit the number of people who may enter UMMS facilities as a care partner or Designated Support Person (DSP), with distinct patient safety measures and guidelines for each color-coded level.
UMMS is currently operating at Level Yellow. The following is an overview for the current Level Yellow. Please review the policy in full for additional information.
Adult Inpatients
- Two care partners are permitted for patients who are not COVID-19+ or undergoing investigation for COVID-19 (PUI) during daytime visiting hours; care partners may switch out as needed
- One care partner may stay overnight
- One care partner is permitted for COVID-19+ or PUI patients during daytime visiting hours; care partners may switch out as needed
- Note: exceptions may be made at the request of the patient, care partner, or medical team for additional care partners and for overnight stays, if considered beneficial for the patient
Emergency Department (ED)
- One care partner is permitted in the ED waiting room; care partners may switch out as needed
- Two care partners are permitted at the bedside for patients who are not COVID-19+ or PUI; care partners may switch out as needed
- One care partner is permitted at the bedside for COVID-19+ or PUI patients; care partner may switch out once every 12 hours
Surgical Waiting Areas
- Two care partners are permitted; care partners may switch out as needed
Individuals With Disabilities
- Two care partners are permitted at the bedside during daytime visiting hours; care partners may switch out as needed
- One care partner may stay overnight
Behavioral Health and Inpatient Rehab Units
- Two care partners are permitted under clinical circumstances determined by the treatment team; care partners may switch out as needed
- To ensure patient and care partner safety, care partners must call ahead and reserve a time slot to visit; care partners should refer to full policy for more information
Obstetrics/Labor and Delivery
- Two care partners are permitted at the bedside; care partners may switch out as needed
Pediatrics and Neonates (including Pediatric Emergency Department)
- Two care partners who are a parent, guardian, or other caregiver of the patient are permitted (including for COVID-19+ or PUI children); care partners can switch out as needed
- Two care partners may remain overnight if patient is not COVID-19+ or PUI
- One care partner may remain overnight if patient is COVID-19+ or PUI
End-of-Life Patients (non-COVID-19+ and COVID-19+)
- Three care partners are permitted at the bedside at any one time; no restriction on the maximum number of care partners that may visit in this situation; care partners may switch out
- No age restriction for care partners
Outpatients
- Two care partners are permitted
View the Strict Patient Safety (Visitor or Care Partner) Policy.
FAQs
Why has UMMS implemented a tiered Strict Patient Safety (Visitor or Care Partner) Policy?
As the COVID-19 health crisis has continually evolved, UMMS has modified our operations, including patient safety measures, in order to maintain the safety of our team members, patients, care partners and community. This tiered and color-coded system allows UMMS to easily scale patient safety measures in a safe and thoughtful manner based on current data and in alignment with state and federal guidelines. In addition, it ensures that team members, patients and care partners have clear insight into the System’s current status.
How will UMMS team members and care partners know which level is currently in effect?
Signs have been placed in each UMMS facility clearly denoting the current level. Each sign includes a QR code that, when scanned with a camera phone, drives care partners to a complete description of the current level and patient safety measures in place. They may also request a copy during check-in. UMMS team members will be notified via all-employee communications and the Insider when patient safety measures have been scaled up or back.
What is a care partner?
A care partner is a person who the patient identifies as being someone with whom they have a significant relationship and who can provide support during the patient’s care or recovery. They may be related or unrelated to the patient. UMMS has adopted the term “care partner” – rather than visitor – in recognition of the importance of visitors to patient recovery and health and to reflect the diversity of support that care partners provide.
What is a Designated Support Person?
A Designated Support Person (DSP) is an individual chosen by the patient to be physically present at the hospital to support the patient. A DSP is not limited to patients with disabilities. The DSP must be 18 years of age or older. This person may be a friend, family member, personal care assistant or disability service provider, and may or may not be legally authorized to make decisions for the patient. The patient may change the DSP throughout their stay. DSPs are a subset of all care partners that may visit the patient.
What infection prevention measures have been implemented to mitigate the risk of community-based transmission of the virus?
All care partners will participate in symptom screening upon entry to the hospital, which may include a temperature check at some facilities. Care partners are required to adhere to our masking policy while on-site which includes the use of masks universally in public areas and for contact with our patients. Cloth masks are permitted but medical masks are preferred, while neck gaiters or masks with exhalation ports are not permitted. If a care partner arrives without a mask, they will receive one at the front entrance (Guest Services or Security) and be required to wear it while in our facilities. If a care partner is staying overnight, they are not required to wear a mask while sleeping.
May care partners bring a meal to the hospital to share with their loved one during their visit?
While we recognize the comfort that a shared meal may bring, care partners are currently prohibited from eating and drinking in any patient care area. Eating and drinking requires that patients and care partners remove their masks, increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Are exceptions provided for patients who are at the end of life?
Exceptions are provided for patients who are at end of life where death is anticipated within the next 24 hours or the patient is receiving inpatient hospice. The number of care partners a patient may receive at a time and the number of people who may be identified as a care partner, depend on the current condition in effect and whether or not the patient is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. Please refer to the full policy for details. All care partners must don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and all care partners of patients who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 must review the Acknowledgement of Risk Form, which will be signed by designated hospital staff prior to visitation.
Can a care partner hug or physically contact the patient?
Physical contact between a patient and care partner is a personal decision. While we recommend that patients and care partners minimize physical contact, good hand hygiene practices as care partners are entering and departing, as well as use of masks and other PPE as appropriate will, in most cases, minimize the risk of a hug or other brief direct physical contact.
Do care partners need to keep their masks on while in the patient’s room?
Yes. For the protection of the patient, care partners, and team members who are entering and departing the room on any given day, we ask that both care partners and patients wear a mask at all times while in the room together. This requirement applies for all care partners. This is especially important in case either person is an asymptomatic carrier of the COVID-19 virus. If a care partner is staying overnight, they are not required to wear a mask while sleeping.
What special procedures are in place for those coming into the hospital to visit with a patient suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19?
Any person coming into the hospital to visit with a patient suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 must review and verbally consent to an Acknowledgement of Risk Form. They will also be provided PPE and given instructions on how to utilize it.
Are patients in labor permitted to have a doula?
Yes. Patients in labor or scheduled for delivery, regardless of their COVID-19 status, may have at least one care partner at all times. This may be their partner, doula, birth coach or other support person. Depending on the current condition in effect, patients in labor may also have additional care partners. Please review the full policy for further details.
How are we accommodating patients who wish to receive religious or spiritual support?
Patients may receive religious and spiritual support from a faith/spiritual leader of their choice at any reasonable time, assuming they can be facilitated without disruption to the clinical care of other patients on the unit or in the room. Faith/spiritual leaders do not displace other care partners or count towards the number of care partners allowed in this policy. All faith/spiritual leaders must follow hospital policies and procedures relating to patient visitation. They will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and may be required to have temperature screening. If the patient is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, they also must have reviewed and signed the Acknowledgement of Risk Form.
What should I tell a care partner who is upset by the policy? Who can I escalate the conversation to?
If you need to escalate a situation related to our Strict Patient Safety (Visitor or Care Partner) Policy, please contact your supervisor for guidance and follow your normal escalation process.