The upswing in cases is what's caused St. Luke's to review and update their visitor policy.

Since the start of the pandemic, St. Luke's has put a limit on the number of visitors in their medical facilities.  Last year during the initial waves, they restricted visitors in ways that provided for the health and safety of patients, staff, and the general public.  Once case numbers decreased, they pulled back on some of those restrictions again.

Now it appears that the health facility is going the other way again.

St. Luke's Hospital in Downtown Duluth, MN
Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth
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According to information released on their website, the policy was updated on November 20, 2021.  Their messaging reads:

"For the safety of all during the COVID-19 Pandemic, St. Luke's is limiting visitors.  We will continue to closely monitor disease in our region and community, and we may adjust this policy."

Here are the details:

Inpatient, Emergency Department and Surgical Visitor Policy:

Confirmed or suspected COVID-19-positive patients:

  • No visitors are allowed for adult patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 until the patient is no longer in isolation (no longer contagious).  Rare exceptions may be made by the healthcare team on an invitation-only basis (examples include patients at their end-of-life, vulnerable adults, etc)

Visitor exceptions include:

  • Labor and delivery
  • Pediatric
  • End-of-life
  • Patients without COVID-19

For patients who do not have confirmed or suspected COVID-19, the following visitor rules apply to each patient category.

  • Adult including Hospice (but not end-of-life):  One adult visitor per day, 6 am to 8:30 pm. (Note: The care team can approve a family member visiting outside of these hours if they feel it would benefit the patient’s health and safety.) Once visitor leaves campus, they cannot return that day.
  • 8 West/Inpatient Rehab:  One adult visitor per day, Monday – Friday, 3:30-8:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-8:30 pm. Once visitor leaves campus, they cannot return that day. (Note: The care team can approve a family member visiting outside of these hours if they feel it would benefit the patient’s health and safety.)
  • Emergency Department:  One adult visitor.
  • Labor and delivery:  One adult support person, who cannot be suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive. If the patient has a doula, the doula will also be allowed if not suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive.
  • Pediatric:  Up to two parents/guardians.
  • Critically unstable:  Up to two visitors per day. Once visitors leave campus, they cannot return that day.
  • Surgical and Procedural Care:  One adult visitor per day, 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM. Once visitor leaves campus, they cannot return that day.
  • End of life:  Up to two visitors at a time, maximum of four per day. Once visitors leave campus, they cannot return that day, however up to two more people may enter the hospital and visit the patient. Patient cannot have more than four visitors per day.

A minor is allowed to be a visitor if accompanied by an adult (who also counts as a visitor)

St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, MN
Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth
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Clergy and spiritual leaders may visit patients and St. Luke's chaplains are also available to support patients and families.

Requirements for all visitors:

  • Not be awaiting a COVID-19 test result or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days
  • Not have been asked to quarantine because of potential exposure to COVID-19
  • Not have had a close contact with someone who tested positive in the past 14 days, unless the visitor is fully vaccinated
  • Not have any COVID-19 symptoms
  • Agree to properly wear a medical-grade mask (supplied by St. Luke's) over their nose and mouth during the entire visit
  • Stay with the patient during their entire visit
  • Agree to leave immediately if they fail to comply with these rules
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Complete details and regulations are available on the St. Luke's website.

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