HERSHEY, Pa. — Penn State Health is committed to the safety of our patients, our staff and the communities we serve. In response to a decline in patients with COVID-19 across the health system, Penn State Health has revised its patient visitation guidelines. The guidelines take effect on Feb. 1 at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center and Penn State Health Medical Group locations.
Under the revised guidance, adult inpatients, adult outpatient surgery patients and adult outpatient procedure patients may have one family/support person per stay. Pediatric outpatient procedure patients may have two family/support persons per stay. There is no change to the current pediatric inpatient and pediatric surgery patient guidance, which allows two family/support persons per stay.
Penn State Health will continue to make iPads available for communication between care teams, patients and families.
Penn State Health will continue to screen all family/support persons who wish to enter any facility, and no one with COVID symptoms will be permitted to enter. Everyone entering the facilities will also be required to wear a mask at all times and maintain social distancing guidelines.
Penn State Health offers virtual screenings for COVID-19 through its telehealth service, Penn State Health OnDemand. Anyone with concerns they may have COVID-19 may use the service to talk directly with a provider who can evaluate symptoms and make care recommendations.
The adult and pediatric visitation guidelines are available on Penn State Health’s website.