Visitor Policies

Visitors are important members of our patients’ healthcare team. We ask visitors to adhere to the following:

• Wash your hands before entering and leaving the patient’s room
• Ask before bringing flowers, perfumes, food/drink, balloons etc. that may trigger allergies or disrupt other patients
• Observe all “No Visitors,” “Isolation,” and other signage
• Respect the need for a quiet healing environment
• Silence cell phones
• Do not share patient items, such as dishes and towels

Do NOT bring these items onto hospital premises:

• Furnishings
• Alcoholic beverages
• Non-prescribed narcotics or illegal substances
• Firearms, explosives, illegal knives, other prohibited weapons

Visitation will be prohibited for the following reasons:

• Interference with patient care
• Infection control issues
• Court orders restricting contact
• Disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior
• Patient’s need for rest or visitor restriction 

Accessing Patient Information

The Patient Passcode Program gives our patients complete control over who may receive confidential, clinical information. Patients receive a personal passcode upon admission. At the patient’s or immediate family members’ discretion, the passcode can be shared with other family members and friends.

People who call the hospital to inquire about the patient’s condition must have the passcode to be given any information about the patient. Callers who do not have the passcode will be referred to the patient or the patient’s family.

The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates that healthcare organizations control the release of confidential patient information. St. Luke’s Health has taken measures to assure patient privacy and confidentiality through written, fax, and email communication. The Patient Passcode Program assures confidentiality over the phone and allows patients to control who receives information.