BJC Changes Visitation Policy Due to COVID-19

Following is the policy change sent out by BJC Healthcare:

BJC HealthCare is putting additional measures in place to protect patients and employees from the transmission of COVID-19.
Effective Monday, March 23, BJC HealthCare is suspending visitation within its facilities.
Exceptions will be allowed in the following instances, for designated visitors who remain with the patient at all times
(other exceptions will be considered for extraordinary circumstances):
• Obstetric patients
• Nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients
• Patients who are at end-of-life
• Pediatric patients
• Patients with behavioral health, developmental delays or altered mental status for whom a family member or
caregiver is integral to their care or safety
• Patients with an appointment in a BJC or WUSM outpatient setting, procedural area or in the Emergency
Department
Visitors who meet the exceptions will be screened before entering a waiting or patient care area. Children younger than
age 16 will not be permitted except under extraordinary circumstances.
Further, no visitors will be allowed who meet any of these criteria:
• Signs or symptoms of acute illness (fever, cough, difficulty breathing)
• Recent travel (within the last 14 days) from an area with community transmission of COVID-19
• Recent contact (within the last 14 days) with someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19