Visitors and Caregivers at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
The health and safety of all our patients and staff are important to us. Over the last few months, we have made changes to our visiting policies to help keep everyone safe. We are continuing to make changes to help prevent the spread of infection. This handout will tell you more about the new rules for Stanford Children’s Health.
Do I need to show my vaccine card or proof of a negative COVID-19 test when I come to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health?
Following the California Department of Public Health guidelines, visitors and caregivers no longer need to show proof of vaccine or a negative COVID-19 test when coming to Stanford Medicine Children's Health.
Who can come to clinic appointments?
For maternity clinic visits, 1 visitor or support person is allowed to be at the appointment.
For pediatric clinic visits, 2 caregivers are allowed to be at the appointment. Caregivers must:
- Be 16 years or older.
- Wear the mask given to them by the clinic.
Who can be at the hospital bedside?
For maternity and pediatric visits, 2 caregivers or visitors are allowed at the bedside at a time.
Caregivers and visitors must:
-
Be 16 years or older.
- Breastfeeding babies younger than 12 months may visit with their breastfeeding parent.
- Wear the mask given to them by the hospital.
Your family may choose to switch who is visiting the patient at any time, as long as there are only 2 caregivers or visitors at a time.
What if a caregiver has been diagnosed with COVID-19?
To keep everyone safe, caregivers diagnosed with COVID-19 cannot be at the bedside. These caregivers must stay home until they feel better and cannot give COVID-19 to anyone else.
When is it safe for caregivers who have tested positive for COVID-19 to return to the hospital or clinic visit?
Everyone who tests positive must stay home for at least 5 days. The 5 days you have to stay out of the hospital start 1 after the day you get your COVID results. After those 5 days or on day 5, test again and then follow the chart below to know when you can return to the hospital.
| Test results on or after 5 days | When you come back to the hospital |
| If you still tested positive and have symptoms |
After you have isolated for 5 more days at home. This means a total of at least 10 days from your first positive test AND You do not have any COVID-19 symptoms. |
| If you still tested positive but do not have symptoms | After you have isolated for 5 more days at home. This means a total of at least 10 days from your first positive test. |
| If you tested negative but still have symptoms |
After you have isolated for 5 more days at home. This means a total of at least 10 days from your first positive test AND You do not have any COVID-19 symptoms. |
| If you tested negative and do not have symptoms | You can come back to the hospital but must wear a mask. |
What if a caregiver has been exposed to or near someone who has COVID-19?
If the caregiver does not have symptoms, they must:
- Take a COVID-19 test 3 to 5 days after they were exposed.
- Wear a mask for 10 days after they are exposed.
If a caregiver develops any COVID-19 symptoms, they need to be tested for COVID-19 and would follow the guidelines above.
When should caregivers stay home?
Caregivers who do not feel well should stay home. Caregivers with a cough, runny nose, sneezes, fever, sore throat or other symptoms should stay home.
How is Stanford Children’s Health keeping families safe?
The health and safety of our patients/families and staff are important to us. Everyone coming to the hospital and clinics will be checked at the front desk for symptoms of COVID-19. We are asking everyone to:
- Wash their hands often.
- Wear masks.
- Keep 6 feet away from others when possible.
