Visitor Limitations Guidance

AFL 20-38 From the California Department of Public Health

April 10, 2020

TO: All Facilities

SUBJECT: Visitor Limitations Guidance

All Facilities Letter (AFL) Summary

This AFL notifies all facilities of new visitor limitation guidelines for pediatric patients, patients in labor and delivery, and patients at end-of-life.

Due to the community spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), considerations must be made for the safety of health facility staff and patients resulting in many health care facilities suspending visitation, except when medically necessary or essential to the care of the patient. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recognizes the importance that visitors play in the mental well-being of patients, including pediatric patients, patients in labor and delivery, and patients at end-of-life. CDPH considers visitors an essential part of patient care and recovery.

CDPH has developed recommended visitor guidelines for certain patients to ensure support for their mental health and well-being, while striving to limit the spread of the virus.

Pediatric Patients

• Visitors are essential for the mental health of pediatric patients. CDPH recommends that pediatric patients be allowed one support person.
• In the case of prolonged hospitalization, CDPH recommends two designated support persons for pediatric patients, provided that only one visitor is present at a time.

Labor and Delivery Patients

• The presence of a partner or support person is essential to the mental health of patients who are in labor and delivery. CDPH recommends that one support person be allowed to be present with the patient.

Patients at End-of-Life

• Visitors are essential to the mental health of patients who are at end-of-life. For their continued mental health, and well-being, the department recommends that one visitor be allowed to be present with the patient.

All support persons must stay in the room and be asymptomatic for COVID-19 and not be a suspected or recently confirmed case. Support persons may be screened prior to entering the clinical areas. Support persons must comply with any health facility instructions on personal protective equipment.

Additionally, CDPH strongly encourages facilities, including but not limited to skilled nursing facility (SNF), to create ways for residents and patients to have frequent video and phone call visits. If shared devices are used for video calls facilities should ensure appropriate infection control measures are in place.

Sincerely,

Original signed by Heidi W. Steinecker

Heidi W. Steinecker
Deputy Director