Providence Health & Services announced new visitor restrictions for its hospitals in eastern Washington, effective Friday, in response to a recent increase in respiratory illnesses affecting the Spokane and Stevens County area.
Adjusted visiting hours and screening procedures
Visiting hours at the system’s facilities will now run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All visitors must check in at a screening desk, receive a visitor pass, and follow strict hand‑washing, masking, and personal‑protective‑equipment protocols. The organization strongly encourages everyone who enters a hospital to wear a mask.
Units exempt from the new schedule
Exceptions to the restricted hours apply to the pediatric unit, labor and delivery, and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which will continue to operate without the new time limits. Inpatients who are not in isolation may have up to two visitors in their room at a time.
Special considerations for clergy, end‑of‑life care, and language services
General exceptions will be made for clergy members, patients who are at the end of life, and individuals who require language‑interpretation services that cannot be provided through tele‑translation. The hospitals also note that Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital will not allow visitors under 12 years old in inpatient units; this rule applies to siblings and will be re‑evaluated in the spring.
Community guidance
Providence asks residents to review the specific visitor policies for each hospital and unit before visiting. The health system emphasizes that the safety and well‑being of patients, staff, and the broader community remain its top priority. Detailed information is available on the Providence website at https://blog.providence.org/covid-washington/eastern-washington-spokane-stevens-county.
What this means for families
Families planning to visit loved ones at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital, Mount Carmel Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, or Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center should anticipate the new hours and be prepared for screening upon arrival. The restrictions are intended to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses while still allowing essential support for patients in critical care areas.
Original reporting: KHQ Spokane (news) — read the source article.
