Kootenai cares about the health and well-being of our patients and caregivers. Given that COVID-19 is circulating in our community, we must ensure the safety of our facilities and our ability to care for as many patients as possible. Safety is our top priority during this time.

Visitor Restrictions 

Visitors who are allowed, as described below, must meet the following criteria:

• Masking: ALL visitors over the age of two must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth.
  • Visitors are required to wear a mask at all times while on our campus.
  • A visitor who does not wear a mask continuously and properly during a visit will first be given a warning and reminded of the universal masking expectations. If, after a warning, they continue to violate the mask policy, they may be removed by security and added to a no-visit list.
  • If an egregious violation of Kootenai Health’s masking policy occurs at any time, security may be contacted, and the visitor may be removed immediately.
• Age: No visitors under 14 (except end of life situations).
• Temperature: Not elevated.
• No Symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, headache, congestion, runny nose and GI symptoms, like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
• COVID-19:
• Has not been in close contact with a person who is known to be COVID-19 positive.
• Has not been exposed to a person who is known to be positive and is now in quarantine.
• Is not waiting on a COVID-19 test result.
• Has not tested positive for COVID-19 within 10 days of visit and has no symptoms.

Patients are allowed one visitor per day in the following areas:

• Emergency Department, while patient is in an exam room, except if the patient is COVID positive, or waiting on a COVID test result.
  • Due to space limitations, visitors will not be allowed in lobby and/or waiting areas.
• Outpatient Cardiac and Surgical Patients, except if the patient is COVID positive, or waiting on a COVID test result.
• Kootenai Clinic: One visitor may accompany the patient as needed.
• Social distancing of 6 feet is required in all waiting areas. Maximum capacity for each area is predetermined and will be adhered to at all times.
• Visitors may be instructed to wait outside in their car depending on the practice setting.

Additional Hospital Visitor accommodations:

• Inpatient: Allowed two visitors with one at a time, except if the patient is COVID positive, or waiting on a COVID test result.
• Family Birth Center Mothers: May have two visitors at a time in addition to a certified doula (proof of certification required).
• Hospitalized Pediatric Patients (age 17 and under, including NICU Patients): May be accompanied by two parents or guardians.
• Patients who are at the end of life (EOL): May have four visitors in a 24-hour period, with two visitors at a time. EOL status will be determined by the care team and refers to a patient who is near death and not expected to survive the hospitalization.
• Patients who request spiritual support: A member of the spiritual community is encouraged to provide support virtually, but is allowed to be present in addition to the one visitor.
• Behavioral Health patients may have visitation through technology only.

In all cases, each unit manager has the discretion to limit the duration of a visit based on clinical considerations.

Notes:

• Notwithstanding anything above, if a patient needs the assistance of a caregiver to communicate with the healthcare team and/or make health care decisions for the patient (whether due to current medical condition, disability, etc.), such person will be allowed to visit the patient.
• Only vendors and contractors providing urgent or non-deferrable services are allowed in Kootenai facilities.
• Non-patient employees are not permitted to have visitors.
• Employees/staff who wish to visit a patient in a non-professional capacity must adhere to all aspects of this policy.