Temporary change to visitation guidelines & screening process

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (April 15, 2020)

The Saint Joseph County Department of Health has determined that current cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are a result of community spread. This means there is an unknown local origin of new cases and we are now in containment phase of this pandemic in our community. On March 19 Saint Joseph Health System (SJHS) announced a temporary NO VISITOR policy which included few exceptions. Due to community spread, we now must enforce wellness screens for all persons entering our hospitals. This is a protective measure to ensure that our health system colleagues do not get exposed to this contagious virus. Effective March 20, 2020 all persons entering SJHS hospitals in Mishawaka and Plymouth will be required to submit to a temperature screening prior to entering.

• Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 F or higher will not be permitted access unless they are on site seeking medical treatment.
• Individuals coming for outpatient procedures will also require screening for a fever. Individuals with a temperature of 100.4 F or higher will be directed by staff on next steps.

The visitation guidelines listed below have been in effect as of March 18, 2020.

Inpatient visitation guidelines

Saint Joseph Health System leadership, our medical staff, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local public health authorities want to provide the safest possible environment for patients, visitors, and staff. Based on the latest available information, one important way to enhance resident health and safety is to reduce their potential exposure to Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19). The fewer people with whom our patients and staff come in contact, the less likely they are to contract COVID-19 or other infectious diseases.

Effective March 19, 2020, NO visitors will be permitted at our Saint Joseph Health System hospitals in Mishawaka and Plymouth, except under special circumstances:

When a patient’s stay is lengthy, a visitor may be permitted to utilize on-premises garden and walking paths, avoiding entrance and discharge doors. Visitors must arrange this time with the patient's nurse in advance. The patient’s nurse will escort the visitor to the location, and the nurse will let the visitor back into the building and escort the visitor back to the patient’s floor.

Location-specific visitation guidelines

Call 574.335.5000 in Mishawaka or 574.948.4000 in Plymouth for specific visiting/appointment hours for the following departments:

Note: These visitation guidelines supersede other hours and guidelines listed on other pages.