Visitor Policy

All Dartmouth Health facilities have some visitor restrictions.

For patients in inpatient/acute care

• Visitation for patients in end-of-life care will be managed by their care team. Visitors will be welcomed when a patient transitions to comfort measures, social distancing guidelines observed and all must be COVID-19 negative.
• For dual occupancy rooms, visitor presence will be dependent on the space available and the needs and preference of both patients.

For patients in emergency department and express/urgent care

One visitor is permitted at one time, except:

• Two parents or primary caregivers for pediatric and geriatric patients.
• One additional and consistent support person may be permitted in circumstances such as for a patient who requires assistance to access care or assistance in providing detailed medical history.
• Visitation for patients in end-of-life care will be managed by their care team. Visitors will be welcomed when a patient transitions to comfort measures, social distancing guidelines observed and all must be COVID-19 negative.
• Visitor presence will be dependent on the space available.

For approved caregivers

1. Masks are required for those who are not feeling well, have respiratory symptoms, or have been exposed to COVID-19. If you need a mask, please ask and one will be provided to you.
2. Please stay in the patient's room for the duration of the medical visit and do not congregate in waiting rooms, or lobbies before, after, or between.
3. All visitors are required to wash their hands upon entry/exit from the building, entry/exit from the unit or clinic, and entry/exit from patient rooms.

For patients in outpatient clinics

• One visitor/family member is permitted to accompany patients to outpatient visits if the patient requires support and assistance to access their appointment. Support people providing this level of assistance by accompanying a patient will be screened upon check-in at the clinic. It is expected that the support person will remain with the patient throughout their visit and will not remain in the waiting room.
• One additional and consistent support person may be permitted in circumstances such as for a patient who requires assistance to access care or assistance in providing detailed medical history.
• Visitors or support people who have symptoms of contagious illness will not be permitted to enter the facility and should follow-up with their own healthcare providers.
• Two parents or primary caregivers may accompany pediatric and geriatric patients.
• For patients who would benefit from other forms of support during a visit (such as a family member to listen, participate in the discussion, etc.), every effort will be made to support our patients and their families by use of technology.