Visitor Guidelines

At A Glance - What you need to know: 

- Patients in most areas can have 1 designated visitor 
- All persons entering CHRISTUS facilities will continue to be screened, receive a temperature check and be required to bring their own mask to wear while in a CHRISTUS Ochsner facility.

As of 8 a.m., September 21, we will begin allowing a designated visitor to each patient. That visitor is a single individual to visit during the hospitalization and will NOT be changed during the stay. The designated visitor name will be obtained from the patient care area and that area will notify the screening desk and house supervisor of the name for that patient. Each morning, the admitting team will print the bed roster by 7 a.m. and deliver it to the screening desk. From there, the screeners will transcribe the designated visitor names to the new day’s list. 

Designated visitors will be screened upon entry into the facility and will be required to present with their mask upon arrival and wear it at all times, especially when leaving the patient room, in hallways and in public areas. Entry will not be permitted if not wearing a mask.  The designated visitors will be permitted:

o in pre-op/pre-procedural & post op/post procedural space as permitted (Pre-COVID)
o allowed in inpatient patient rooms 
o to leave and return to the campus during designated visiting times as well as leave the room to go to cafeteria to get food and return.

• Designated visitors will be as follows & during designated times:

o Med/Surg & Rehab  1 designated visitor/hospital stay        8a-6p  daily
o ICU                           1 designated visitor/hospital stay       9a-10a & 5p-6p daily
o ED 1                         1 designated visitor/ED visit
o L &D                         1 designated support person              (24hrs)
      & 1 designated visitor.                         8a-6p daily
o NICU Parents.          NICU visitation
o Procedure Areas     1 designated visitor/procedure/visit
o Minors will have both parents/guardians permitted              24 hours
(One guardian will need to remain with patient during stay)
o End of life exceptions will be made on case/case basis, however in-room should be limited to no more than two at time.  
o Isolation patients will remain with restricted visitation.
o Exceptions may be made on case by case basis with CMO/CNO review

What is a designated visitor?

• Designated visitor is a single individual to visit during the hospitalization and will not be changed during the stay.

What is a designated support person?

• Designated support person is individual identified to stay with patient 24/7 due to need to support patient in activities of daily living, communication or other deficit.

Entrances: As a reminder, all entrances to the hospital campus will be closed and locked. Any essential visitor will continue to enter through the Emergency Department Walk In entrance at St. Patrick and Day Surgery Entrance at Lake Area. Procedural/Surgery patients and designated visitors will may arrive at the scheduled time.  Inpatient designated visitors may arrive/enter between 8am – 6pm daily.

We continue to be vigilant in responding to the changing situation with COVID-19 response. Thank you for all you do to help us extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

Universal Masking

The health and safety of our patients, visitors, Associates and our communities remain of utmost importance. Beginning Monday, April 6, patients and visitors will be required to bring their own mask to wear while in our hospitals or outpatient clinics. You can learn more about how to make your own cloth masks by visiting the CDC website. Our health professionals providing care for presumed COVID-19 or known COVID-19 patients are expected to wear N95 respirator masks. Hospitalized patients do not have to wear a mask while in their rooms.