Our Welcoming Environment

As we move toward patient and family centered care and making our hospital a more welcoming environment, we will have more interactions with family members and friends visiting our hospital.

In anticipation of their needs, we are creating an informational guide to provide them with a list of amenities and services available at St. Joseph, a version of it is currently available on our website. Additionally, a work group is updating our wayfinding and signage, as well as our campus maps. Another work group is working on scripting and helpful phrases to help you address questions families and friends may have.

Primary Support Person

Patients will be allowed a primary support person who will be allowed to stay with our patient throughout their stay (and regardless of visiting hours). Due to space limitations, we will limit overnight guests to one person. We will ask the primary support person to act as the primary contact between our nursing staff and family and friends. The primary support person will update family and friends on the loved one’s condition.

Waiting Spaces

We’ve opened our waiting rooms throughout the hospital. In areas with limited space, we may ask extended families to gather in our lobby waiting areas or outside if they choose. Our goal is to make this a comforting and comfortable environment as they gather to support their loved one.

Physical Privacy

All patients have a right to privacy, and we strive to respect this during tests or procedures. The nurse may ask family and friends, including the primary support person to step out of the patient’s room and remain in waiting areas.

Children

Children are an important part of our patients healing — they bring joy, comfort and love. We will be welcoming children to visit when accompanied by an adult to take care of their needs.

Infection Control

We will ask that family and friends follow our infection control guidelines and wash their hands frequently, use hand sanitizer and cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue. Visitors who are ill or who are experiencing cold, flu or COVID-like symptoms, should not visit a patient and may be asked to leave.

Quiet Time

To promote a healing environment for all patients based on their individual preferences and clinical condition, we provide quiet time — a time of least interruptive activities during the care of patient. Quiet time is currently 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. We’ll ask visitors to participate in quiet time and help support restful activities.

Cell Phones, Cameras and Noise

While cell phones are permitted throughout the facility, visitors will be asked to turn the ringer to the lowest setting and speak softly while on the phone. They’ll also be asked to refrain from using cell phones during clinical procedures or visits involving caregivers and providers. Photographs and videos will not be allowed without the expressed consent of our caregivers.

Visitor Exceptions

A visitor may be asked to leave if a patient needs rest, is having a procedure or due to disruptive behavior. Patients may also restrict visitation. You may have noticed new signage throughout the facility that affirms our commitment to a healing environment and our expectation of visitors. We’ve included a copy of it here.

As we move toward making our hospital a more welcoming environment for our patients and families, we’d like to hear your feedback. Please take a few minutes to complete the anonymous survey here.

Our goal is to expand our visitation guidelines on our campus by mid-August. Please continue to read Caregiver News and your email for updates. Please reach out to your core leader if you have concerns about welcoming visitors to our campus.