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Visitors Restrictions

Visitor Restrictions

We are actively screening and restricting visitors at all our hospital and clinic locations as we work to keep our communities safe. Please read our current visitor restrictions below before visiting any of our locations.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health/Franciscan Medical Group Hospital Visitor Restrictions

  • Hospital visitor restrictions: St. Anne, St. Anthony, St. Clare, St. Elizabeth, St. Francis St. Joseph, St. Michael

    Updated: Sept. 27, 2022

    Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is restricting visitors to the hospital to protect the safety of our patients, their family members, and our care teams due to recent COVID-19 activity in the community. Our priority is the safety and care of our patients, team members, and visitors.

    Before you visit: All visitors must comply with screening and mask requirements when entering the building. Visitors with symptoms will not be allowed to enter, and visitors must wear approved masks for the entirety of their stay.

    We understand it is a difficult time for our patients and their loved ones. These restrictions are very important for the health and safety of our patients and staff, and those who do not comply may have visitation access revoked. Please contact the hospital or your medical provider if you have any questions about the visitor policy.

    At this time, hospital visitors are allowed based on the following circumstances:

    • Hospital visitation limits are based on community transmission rates. Exceptions may occur to end of life. 
      • Visiting hours:
        • St. Anne Hospital (2 visitors per stay) – Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
        • St. Anthony Hospital (2 visitors per day) – 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
        • St. Clare Hospital (1 visitor per patient, per day) – 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
        • St. Elizabeth Hospital (1 visitor per stay) – 5 a.m.-9 p.m.
        • St. Francis Hospital (2 visitors per stay)
        • St. Joseph Medical Center (2 visitors per patient at a time) – 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
        • St. Michael Medical Center (1 visitor per day) – 5 a.m.-9 p.m.
        • Virginia Mason Medical Center (1 visitor per day) – 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
    • Fully vaccinated children 12 years and older may be counted as a designated visitor.

    Any approved visitors

    • Must go directly to a patient’s room — use of waiting rooms is not permitted. We encourage any approved visitors to coordinate their arrival and departure times.
    • Must use the approved, designated visitor entrance
    • Will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms
    • Will be asked to complete hand hygiene upon entry
    • Must wear an approved mask the entire time while inside the building, including in a patient’s room
    • Masks must be tight-fitting and completely cover nose and mouth
    • Visitors can wear their clean, well-fitted surgical mask, an N95 respirator, or KN-95 mask within VMFH facilities
    • Cloth masks are not permitted at this time. Visitors with cloth masks will be asked to change into a hospital-provided mask.
    • Are encouraged to maintain physical distancing (at least six feet apart from others)

    Learn more about face covering guidelines from the Washington State Department of Health.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health/Franciscan Medical Group Clinic Visitor Restrictions

  • Clinic visitor information

    • Visitors are discouraged unless assisting a patient. Please contact your provider or the clinic with questions about their policy.
    • All individuals must wear a clinic-provided mask the entire time while inside the building.
    • Please contact the clinic before arriving for your appointment if you need of a COVID-19 test, or if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms and exposure guidance include:
      • Fever
      • Cough
      • Shortness of breath
      • New loss of taste or smell
      • Close, in-person contact with someone who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus within the past 14 days
    • If symptoms are severe, call 911 or go directly to one of our Prompt or Urgent Care locations or Emergency Services departments.

Virginia Mason Medical Center Hospital and Clinic Visit Information

  • Hospital and clinic visitor information: Virginia Mason Medical Center

    Effective Aug. 24, 2022

    Virginia Mason Medical Center is restricting visitors to the hospital to protect the safety of our patients, their family members, and our care teams due to recent COVID-19 activity in the community. Our priority is the safety and care of our patients, team members, and visitors.

    Before you visit: All visitors must comply with screening and mask requirements when entering the building. Visitors with symptoms will not be allowed to enter, and visitors must wear masks for the entirety of their stay.

    We understand it is a difficult time for our patients and their loved ones. These restrictions are very important for the health and safety of our patients and staff, and those who do not comply may have visitation access revoked. Please contact the hospital or your medical provider if you have any questions about the visitor policy.

    Hospital visitation

    As a response to the current community and facility COVID-19 situation, visitation may vary based on inpatient unit. Generally, we are allowing one designated visitor per day for many of our hospital units. Visiting hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.).

    Some hospital units will be closed to routine, in-person visits to our hospitalized patients. Entry through the main hospital lobby on Central Pavilion 4 (off of Seneca St.) to obtain a visitor sticker is required.

    If your stay is on a closed unit, we encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, Facetime, Skype and other means.

    We recognize there are times when having a visitor or family member present is crucial. Visitors on closed units will be allowed based on the exceptions listed below:

    • Patients newly admitted may have one designated visitor for 60 minutes in the patient’s room.
    • Patients undergoing surgery may have one designated visitor immediately after the procedure for 60 minutes in the patient’s room.
    • Patients who are hospitalized for longer than 7 days, may have one designated visitor per week for 60 minutes in the patient’s room.
    • Patients who are at the end of life.

    Please note, approved visitors are subject to the following guidelines:

    • Approved visitors will not be allowed if they have symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath) or have been exposed to someone testing positive or awaiting results. 
    • All visitors/companions will self-screen at entry.
    • Visitors must be masked at all times in the facility except with food and drink in the hospital cafeteria.
    • All visitors must check in at Nursing Station prior to entering the patient's room and must remain in the room during the visit, except for patient privacy, use of the restroom or meals in the cafeteria.
    • Visitors under the age of 16 will not be allowed except under extraordinary circumstances.
         

    Clinic visit information

    Changes to outpatient guidelines: Virginia Mason Medical Center is limiting our outpatient companion guidelines as part of our continued desire to protect the safety of our patients, their family members and our care teams. Outpatients are strongly encouraged to attend their appointments alone. Patients who have an appointment at a Virginia Mason clinic, laboratory, radiology, as well as those visiting the Emergency Department, may have one person accompany them, only if necessary.

    Cell phone waiting lot: The Terry and University parking lot will be available for companions of clinic or hospital patients who are waiting outside Virginia Mason Medical Center downtown facilities. The Lindeman Pavilion restrooms will also be available to companions while they are waiting.