Hospital Visitor & Outpatient Guidelines

Beginning Friday, February 11, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center will update its visitation policy for hospital visitors and medical practice patients. The changes follow a decrease in COVID-19 cases in our community.

VISITING HOURS: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily

MASKS REQUIRED:

Everyone—including patients, staff, and visitors—are required to wear a medical grade mask, regardless of vaccination status. Those who do not have one will be provided one. All masks must be worn over the mouth and nose for the entire duration of the visit. Those who do not comply will be asked to leave the premises.

VISITOR GUIDELINES VISUAL SUMMARY:

DEPARTMENTAL RESTRICTIONS:

The numbers of visitors allowed varies by department and the age and condition of the patient. 

• One visitor is allowed per day to adult inpatients, including those using the Emergency Department, East and West Wings, and the ICU.
• Adult outpatients—including all patients visiting practices in the Medical Office Building, the Operating Room, Endoscopy, Medical Infusion, Imaging, and Lab—may have one visitor with them. This includes prenatal patients. 
• Pediatric patients—both inpatients and outpatients, regardless of area—may have up to two visitors per day. 
• Adult patients birthing with Women’s and Children’s Services may have a birth partner per day.
• Patients at the end of life may have four visitors, who must remain in the patient room at all times. COVID-positive patients at the end of life may have up to two visitors at a time. 
• The health system recommends minors visit the hospital or practices only to receive care, if possible. All minors visiting inpatient units need prior approval from the clinical team. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. 
• Social visits should still be conducted virtually. Both inpatients and outpatients who would benefit from social-type support should request the use of technology to bring family and friends virtually into exam and hospital rooms.

VIRTUAL VISITATION:

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center realizes that not all family and friends will be able to visit in-patients due to distance. This is why we have available a virtual visitation option for these instances. Please follow these steps to have a virtual visit:

1. Call 802-442-6361, and at the voice prompt, say Virtual Visit.
2. The automated system will ask you to “please hold while your call is transferred to an operator.
3. When your call is answered, tell the operator the patient name and state that you are requesting a virtual visit.
4. You will have a short wait while the SVMC Nurse sets up the iPad with the patient and starts the Webex meeting.
5. Click on https://svhealthcare6.webex.com to open Webex on your device.
6. You will not need to download the application for your virtual visit.
7. Once the Webex meeting is created, the nurse will let you know the number to keystroke into the meeting number information field.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: 

• Everyone—patients, caregivers, and visitors—is required to stop at the check-in desk located at entrances in the hospital. All non-staff persons entering an SVMC building will be given a sticker marked with the date and department they are visiting and are asked to keep the sticker visible and remain in the area of service for the entire time they are in the building.
• Patient visitors are also required to give personal contact information, for purposes of required contact tracing, at time of check in.
• Those entering the Medical Office Building will be screened once they reach the practice they are visiting.
• Patients who are symptomatic or have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be provided with a medical-grade face mask. Caregivers and visitors with symptoms of any kind are not permitted. 
• Everyone is expected to sanitize their hands upon entry and exit from the building, units, and patient rooms.
• Both inpatients and outpatients who would benefit from additional support during a visit or stay should request the use of technology to bring important family and friends virtually into exam and hospital rooms.