Nebraska Medicine to update visitor policy

As community transmission of COVID-19 continues to decline, Nebraska Medicine is updating its visitor policy. On May 3, Nebraska Medicine began allowing one visitor/escort for patients arriving for a clinic appointment or a procedure.

Effective Wednesday, June 9, Nebraska Medicine is making further updates to its visitor guidance, as follows:

Inpatient areas:

  • An inpatient no longer needs to designate and document one person as an authorized visitor in One Chart
  • An inpatient can have one or two visitors at one time
  • Children who are capable of keeping a mask on can visit
  • Ob/GYN patients can have two visitors at one time; they do not have to be the same two visitors throughout their hospital stay

COVID-19 inpatient areas:

  • Patients who have COVID-19 or are suspected of COVID-19 can have one or two fully vaccinated visitors each day, up to two hours and do the following:
    • Visitors must provide proof of vaccination
      • COVID-19 unit managers to manage vaccine verification of visitors
    • Visitors must don proper PPE for COVID-19 units

Outpatient areas:

  • Patients can bring one or two escorts for clinic appointments
  • Children who are capable of keeping a mask on can accompany a patient who has an appointment

All visitors/escorts:

  • Must be screened at entry points and provided a “blue” sticker
  • Must wear a mask at all times while on premises, practice hand hygiene and social distance whenever possible
  • Visitor hours remain at 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week
  • Visitors are not allowed to eat or drink in patient rooms
  • Visitors should remain in the patient’s room during their visit

Other updates:

  • Floral and balloon deliveries will be accepted at screening stations and delivered by staff to patient’s room
  • Leadership is working on a process to allow on-site visits (visiting physicians, job shadowing, vendors, clinical observations, job candidates) in the future, with proof of vaccination required