Gundersen eases visitor guidelines (Updated Aug. 17)

As Gundersen Health System continues its safe, careful approach to resuming in-person procedures and appointments, new visitor guidelines reflect these changes. (Guidelines may differ for select Gundersen Critical Access Hospital locations.)

Gundersen Clinic, Emergency Services, Surgery and Outpatient Surgery Center Visitor Guidelines

• One person, 16 years old or older, may accompany a patient who has an emergent or urgent care need from Emergency Services or who has an appointment in a Gundersen Clinic, Surgery or Outpatient Surgery Center location.

• General Pediatric patients at Gundersen clinic locations may have one support person with them.

• Pediatric Specialties patients (including Peds Oncology, Peds Neurology, etc.) may have two support people accompany them for appointments.

Gundersen Hospital Visitor Guidelines

• Adult patients will be allowed one (1) visitor over the age of 18 per 24-hour period.
• Nursery, Pediatric and Pediatric/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PNICU) patients may have two (2) support people.
• Adult COVID-positive patients are not allowed to have visitors; Pediatric patients (17 and under) can have one support person per 24 hours.
• Exceptions are available for end-of-life care and interpreter/communication needs.
• End-of-life exceptions:

  • Hospitalized patients who are imminently dying and are COVID-negative, will be allowed up to three support personnel in the patient’s room at one time and up to six personnel in a 24-hour period. 

  • One visitor is allowed for end-of-life situations in the COVID-19 unit.

  • Processes are also in place to offer communication utilizing available technology.  

  • All visitor exceptions, including end-of-life, must be approved by the Medical Officer of the Day.

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All Gundersen Locations

Gundersen continues to have multiple touchpoints to ensure the health and safety of patients, visitors, and staff. These policies continue to be in line with other state and national guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visit our COVID-19 page for more information.

• Patients, support people and visitors must bring and wear a cloth face covering. These are needed for everyone, including Gundersen staff.
• Everyone entering a Gundersen facility will be asked if they are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 and have their temperature taken. (Symptoms include temperature of 100.0 F, new cough, shortness of breath or unexplained body aches.)
• All patients and visitors should allow at least six feet between themselves and other patients and visitors, even when wearing a face covering.
• No visitors are permitted who have had a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the last 14 days or under issued quarantine by the Health Department, and visitors are not allowed to visit patients being treated for COVID-19 or under an issued quarantine by the Health Department. 
• Primary support people, visitors and healthcare decision makers who are currently experiencing or experienced any COVID-19 symptoms within the last 14 days, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, are not permitted.

Entrances to Gundersen locations will continue to be limited to ensure appropriate patient and visitor screening.

Gundersen continuously evaluates visitor guidelines and may update them as the COVID-19 response continues to evolve locally, regionally, and nationally.

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