Information for Visitors and Patients

Masking Guidelines

Masking is welcome but not required in most health care settings where patient care is provided, including:

• Hospitals.
• Outpatient centers and medical buildings.
• Senior living facilities.
• Laboratories and testing facilities.

Maintaining a Safe Environment

We continue to track the risk of respiratory illnesses, including flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Masking can help decrease the risk of spreading potentially serious respiratory illnesses among patients, visitors, students, vendors, employees, and others in our hospitals and facilities.

• If you are a patient or visitor and are not feeling well, please wear a mask.
• If you have a fever, respiratory illness, or a stomach illness, please consider delaying your visit until you feel better.
• If you are unsure about masking, ask a staff member for information.
• Children aged 2 and younger should not be masked.
• If you can’t wear a mask for medical reasons, talk to a staff member about accommodations.

Important Reminders

• All visitors should wash their hands upon entering and leaving patient rooms. Good hand hygiene helps reduce the risk of spreading infection.
• Get recommended vaccinations to help prevent or reduce complications from infections.
• If you need to cough or sneeze while visiting, please cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow.
• When isolation is called for, visitors must take all isolation precautions as the doctor or nurse directs.
• Please do not use patient restrooms unless the patient is in a private room and gives consent.

Masking for Standard and Transmission-based Precautions and PPE Plan

Patients, staff, and visitors must wear masks when part of standard and transmission-based isolation precautions. This means the use of masks for patients diagnosed with, or who may have, a contagious respiratory illness.