Visitors Information
Visitor Restrictions Effective As of January 8, 2021.
El Camino Health has reevaluated its visitor policy to support our patients needs while minimizing the risk of potential communicable diseases throughout the hospital. These changes are based on the most recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and local health authorities.
As a result of more restrictive measures being taken throughout the Bay Area related to COVID-19, El Camino Health’s hospitals are implementing a new temporary visitor policy. All people entering the hospital will be screened, including a temperature check, upon entrance. Visitors will need to use hand sanitizer on entry and will be required to wear a hospital provided mask. Please limit the personal belongings you bring with you during your visit and keep your visit to the patient's room only.
Please see our most current visitor guidelines below, effective as of January 8, 2021.
Your health, safety and well-being are our top priorities. Learn more.
Visiting Hours and Guidelines by Department
| Emergency Department | No visitors allowed |
No visitors allowed One (1) person allowed at triage/check-in only |
| Inpatient Departments | No visitors allowed | No visitors allowed |
| Outpatient Departments (including outpatient mental health) |
No visitors allowed | No visitors allowed |
| Labor and Delivery/ Maternity | Open hours | One (1) support person allowed. Please see our COVID-19 Pregnancy and Delivery FAQs for further details |
| NICU | Open hours | Both banned parents only. Please see our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for further details |
| Pediatrics | Open hours | One (1) parent/guardian allowed per day. Please see our Pediatrics Pediatric Surgery Guide for further details |
| Surgery |
No visitors allowed |
No visitors allowed One (1) person may escort the patient inside |
Exceptions to Visitor Guidelines
| COVID-19 Positive Patients | No visitors allowed | No visitors allowed. Ask a nurse for accommodations regarding virtual visits |
| End of Life | Open Hours With Assistant Hospital Manager (AHM) guidance |
Three (3) visitors allowed |
| Inpatient Mental Health | No visitors allowed | No visitors allowed |
Patients will be provided with and asked to wear a mask when healthcare providers or visitors are in their room. Patients do not have to wear a mask while sleeping or while alone in their room.
Patient populations excluded from masking include:
- Patients with medical devices that would limit their ability to wear a mask.
- Patients who are not able to manage wearing a mask because of their condition.
- Patients who are unable to put on or remove the mask without assistance.
- Patients who are under the age of 2.
We maintain regular communication with Santa Clara County Public Health Department, California Public Health Department and are up to date with CDC guidance. We will continue to update measures as needed to ensure the safety of our patients, employees, and visitors. For more information, click here.
We understand that visits from friends and family are important to our patients — and these visits are an important part of the healing process. Our visiting policies reflect this understanding, but our guidelines put patients’ safety and well-being above all else. That means that in particular departments or circumstances we may have different visiting guidelines in order to protect the health of our patients.
- Visiting Rights. Patients have the right to receive visitors, including a spouse, a domestic partner, family member or a friend — patients also have the right to withdraw or deny this consent at any time.
- Visitor Guidelines. For our patients' comfort, please follow these guidelines when you visit our hospitals.
