Seeing a patient at Saint Thomas River Park Hospital is now restricted to screen time.

Ascension Saint Thomas has evaluated its visitor policies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and visitors are temporarily restricted to virtual visitation only.

The revision addresses visitor safety and the safety of hospital associates, physicians, and community, while ensuring employees deliver optimal care.

“Our priority is to reduce transmission and to protect people who are at higher risk for adverse health complications,” said Ascension PR specialist Anjali Sood. “Exceptions to our visitation policy may be made by hospital leadership balancing the health risks and the patient’s right to receive visitors.”

Predefined exceptions include: 

• Neonatal ICU and pediatric patients; limited to one legal guardian 

• Women giving birth; limited to one birthing partner 

• Patients undergoing surgery/testing; limited to one visitor 

• End-of-life care as determined by our care team; limited to one visitor 

All visitors will be screened upon entry into the facility. 

• No visitors under the age of 18

• Screening questions will include: Do you have a fever? Do you have a cough? Do you have difficulty breathing?

• If the answer to any of these is “yes” the visitor will be not be allowed to enter our facility 

“We encourage any potential visitors to use alternate methods of communication to stay in contact with loved ones, such as calling, video chatting, or texting,” said Sood. “Thank you for your support in adhering to these guidelines, and thank you for trusting Ascension Saint Thomas for your care.”