Visitation Policy

General Visitor Information

All those entering inpatient, outpatient or procedural areas must wear a face mask or covering for the duration of the visit.

Children under the age of two should not wear a face mask or covering. Children over the age of two are encouraged to wear a face mask or other comfortable covering. 

Visitor Screening

Upon arrival, all visitors must stop at the building entrance to be screened for COVID-19 under these guidelines:

• Fever - a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher

Patients who have not checked in electronically will be screened for the following:

• New cough
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing

Except in our Emergency Departments and Express Care sites, visitors who screen positive for these COVID-19 symptoms are not allowed to enter our buildings and will be directed to an appropriate care setting or to call our hotline at 440-59-COVID (440-592-6842).

Inpatient Visitation

• To protect our patients, employees, and community during the COVID-19 pandemic, inpatient visitations are permitted during designated visitation hours. 
• Designated visitation hours are:
  Regular Hours: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  All visitors permitted on the unit must stay in the room for the duration of the visit.
• Adults patients may have up to 2 visitors per day during designated visitation hours.
• Obstetric patients may have 1 adult support person at all times and 1 additional visitor during designated visitation hours.
• Pediatric patients may have parents or guardians, not to exceed 2 visitors, for length of time cleared by attending.
• Nursery/Neonatal Intensive Care patients may have birth parent plus 1 significant-other visit as cleared by attending. Note: Visitors to the nursery/NICU may also be subject to other location-specific requirements.
• COVID-19 Suspected or Confirmed Positive Patients
  • During the course of care, visitation will be limited to telephone and video connections. To limit exposure and spread of COVID-19, in person visits are not routinely permitted.
  • During end-of-life, critical decision making, or at the discretion of the attending physician and nurse manager:  No more than two visitors will be permitted with approval of the attending physician and nurse manager and with safety precautions in place.
• Exceptions to designated visitation hours may be made on a case-by-case basis.
• Ways to reach loved ones who are inpatients/residents at MetroHealth.

Appointments

If you are an adult patient seeking care or testing:

• Check in electronically prior to the appointment (see MyChart). 
• Travel to the appointment alone.
• Bring a mask or face covering to wear.
• You will be screened for a fever as you enter the building.
• If you were unable to check in electronically, you will be screened for new cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Visitors During Appointments 

• Pediatric patients
  • May have two parents, guardians or designated caregivers accompany them to their visit.
  • Pediatric patient siblings may attend visit when childcare is not available.
• Adult patients
  • Are encouraged to attend visits alone.
  • May have one visitor accompany them if necessary, for personal or medical support.
  • May bring children to their visit when childcare is not available. 
• Patients having outpatient surgery may have one support person / visitor on the day of surgery.

Emergency Department Visitors

• Patients younger than age 18 may have 2 adult visitors during evaluation in the Emergency Department.
• Adult patients
  • Are encouraged to attend visits alone.
  • May have one visitor accompany them if necessary, for personal or medical support
• Behavioral health patients that require guardianship may have 1 consistent adult visitor accompany them.
• Maternity patients may have one adult support person.