Visitation Changes for Omicron

To protect our community from COVID-19, St. Tammany Health System maintains visitor rules following CDC recommendations.

Please see below for the latest guidelines, effective December 28, 2021.  

At all times, visitors must wear a mask that covers both nose and mouth.   

Hospital visiting hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Each patient may have one visitor at a time. At 9 p.m. one visitor may remain with the patient overnight. This visitor must remain in the patient’s room. If unable to remain in the room, the visitor will be asked to leave. Visitors of non-isolation patients may go to the first-floor coffee shop and cafeteria.

All visitors should be free of fever and other symptoms, wear a mask that covers both nose and mouth at all times, be at least 12 years of age, adhere to all policies including social distancing, face masking and handwashing and avoid gathering in common or public areas such as the lobby.

Visitors will be asked to return home if they exhibit symptoms, have been COVID-positive in the past 10 days or have a pending COVID test for symptoms, or if they are unable to wear a mask, refuse to wear a mask, or violate any part of this policy.

For COVID-positive patients, no visitors are allowed except for COVID-positive end-of-life patients, visitor guidelines are adjusted on a case-by-case basis. While in the patient's room, a visitor must wear a mask at all times. For COVID-positive infusion patients, one support person is allowed per patient. (Minors may have both parents or guardians present.) The visitor must wear a mask. For COVID-positive minor patients, one visitor is allowed per patient. The visitor must wear a mask.

Please note these other special circumstances:

• Laboring patients: Two support persons (including doula) are allowed during labor and delivery. Following delivery (post-partum), one visitor is allowed. NO VISITORS in the OB TRIAGE AREA.
• Minor child patients (under the age of 18): For patients being treated in the Emergency Department (including Peds ED), undergoing surgery or other procedures, or admitted for an inpatient stay (NICU/ PICU/PEDS), a maximum of two parents or caretakers are allowed.
• Non-COVID end-of-life patients: Spouse or partner, children, parents and siblings may visit together and be present 24/7.
• Infusion patients: One support person allowed per patient. 
• Critical care patients: One visitor allowed at a time.
• ED Secure Holding: One adult visitor at the discretion of the physician. If the patient is a juvenile, one adult visitor at a time is allowed with no other minor children present.
• Emergency Department or Procedure Waiting: One visitor.

Under certain circumstances or situations, nursing personnel should communicate with the house supervisor for further direction and assistance.  

This visitor policy is subject to change and may be adjusted for patient safety or compassionate reasons in a clinician’s judgment.