Effective Oct. 19, 2021, St. Tammany Health System has adjusted its visitor policy. See below for the policy, and visit StTammany.health/visitors for any subsequent updates.
In accordance with the state of Louisiana, employees and visitors in healthcare settings must wear masks. St. Tammany Health System will make masks available at entrances and will enforce mask wearing in all common areas for vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors. Masks must be worn properly, ensuring that the nose and mouth are covered. Children under 2 years of age are excluded from this requirement.
St. Tammany Health System will resume routine visitation for COVID-negative patients, including inpatients, outpatients, and procedural areas. Visitors are still required to practice social distancing in waiting rooms, cafeterias, and common areas. Visitors and patients should maintain six feet distance between those not in their group. Visitors will be asked to leave if they exhibit symptoms of respiratory infection, have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 10 days, have a pending COVID-19 test for symptoms, are unable or refuse to wear a mask or do not comply with the current policy. Hospital visiting hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. After 9 p.m. one support person will be allowed to stay the night in the COVID-negative patient’s room. Visitors may remove their masks while in the room if the patient agrees. Any member of the treatment team may request that visitors wear masks in their presence.
Patients who are positive for COVID-19 will be allowed two visitors per day, between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. Visitors must remain in the patient’s room at all times and wear appropriate PPE. There are special circumstances in which more than two visitors will be allowed, including the following:
- Palliative/Comfort Care (which may include family meetings, palliative medicine consults, or comfort focused treatments) – Spouse/partner, children, parents, and siblings may visit together, with sleep accommodation provided for only one support person overnight.
- End of Life Care – Spouse/Partner, children, parents, siblings, and those closest to the family may visit together and be present 24/7.
This visitor policy is subject to change and may be adjusted for patient safety or compassionate reasons in a clinician’s judgment.