Temporary Family and Visitor Restrictions

As we work to help keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are limiting family/visitor presence in our hospitals and care sites. Visitors must follow guidelines to help increase their safety and limit potential exposures to COVID-19 while in our facilities. Visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times, except when eating or drinking, practice social distancing and wash their hands frequently. All visitors will be asked health screening questions and have their temperature checked upon arrival. Visitors with COVID-19 symptoms or a fever will be asked to visit at another time.

Adult Patients in Hospital
Adult patients positive for COVID-19 may not have visitors at this time; virtual visits only.
Zero Visitors allowed, with these noted exceptions: Location Exception Criteria (Must be the same person for duration of stay)
Emergency Department 1 Adult for those with cognitive impairments
Intensive Care Unit 1 Adult (From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Labor and Delivery/OB; 1 Adult
Surgical and Sedated Procedures 1 Adult during surgery/procedure
End of Life Care Will be determined on a case-by-case basis
Adult Patients of Outpatient Services
Location Number of Visitors Exception Criteria
Lab, Radiology, Rehab Services Zero Visitors 1 Adult for those with cognitive impairments or needing physical assistance
Physician Offices and Urgent Care 1 Adult Visitor  
Surgery and Endoscopy Centers 1 Adult Visitor Visitors may be asked to wait in the car due to space limitations
Pediatric Patients (patients under 21 years of age)
Location Number of Visitors (Must be the same persons for the duration of stay/visit)
Hospital (Inpatient and Emergency) 2 Parents/Guardians or responsible adult
Physician Offices 1 Parent/Guardian or responsible adult
Outpatient Services (Lab, Radiology, Rehab) 1 Parent/Guardian or responsible adult
End of Life Care Will be determined on a case-by-case basis
Adult Patients at Rehab and Nursing Centers
Contact the local administrator for visitor guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, pediatric patients are a special circumstance and two parental/guardian visitors are allowed to be with them in the hospital. This includes the pediatric ICUs and neonatal ICU at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

Visitors must be healthy and will be screened at the entrance.

Yes, maternity patients in the hospital are a special circumstance and one visitor is allowed to be with them in the hospital for vaginal or c-section deliveries. 

The one support person must be healthy and will be screened at the entrance. Once inside the hospital, the support person can not leave, so bring whatever is needed when first entering. This includes clothes and toiletries for mother and support person for 2 to 3 days, as well as items for the new baby including clothes, diapers, car seat, etc. Asking your support person to stay in the hospital with you helps keep mothers, new babies and our team members healthy.

Virtual Visits for Intensive Care Unit Patients
If your loved one is in the intensive care unit at Spectrum Health, virtual visits create a secure connection complying with health care privacy regulations, during your established visit time. Virtual visits, made possible through creative problem-solving and donated technology, have lifted the spirits of family members separated by illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. This option is offered to the patient’s identified emergency contact, shortly after a patient is admitted. 

Additional Communication Resources

  • We are always here to help. If you are unable to personally connect with your loved one or haven’t received an update from the care team, call 616.391.1774 anytime, 24/7. 
  • This guide offers tips to stay connected to loved ones and their caregivers while they are in the hospital.

We know this is difficult for everyone involved, and we want to be sure there are ways for you to stay connected with your loved ones. Many phones, tablets and computers have free and easy ways to communicate with your friends and family via video, voice or text. We encourage you to use digital resources to connect with your loved ones in the hospital and to assist them in their care. Below are free resources:

Text, Phone and Video Chats

FaceTime
FaceTime is a free app available on Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Mac/MacBook) that allows you to have video and audio calls with loved ones who also have Apple devices.

How-To:

  • Instructions on how to download and use FaceTime on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
  • Instructions on how to download and use FaceTime on your Mac/MacBook

Google Hangouts
Hangouts is a free communication platform that allows you to connect with your loved ones via text chat, phone call or video call on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Hangouts can be accessed through Gmail, YouTube, the Hangouts app in the Apple or Android stores and on the web.

How-To:
Sign into your Google account. If you do not already have an account, you can create one here. Below are instructions on how to start a text chat, phone call or video call:

Skype
Skype is a free communications platform that allows you to connect with your loved ones via text chat, phone call or video call on your smartphone, tablet or computer.

How-To:

Below are instructions on how to start a text chat, phone call or video call:

Zoom
Zoom is a video conferencing platform that allows you to connect with your loved ones via video or audio call on your smartphone, tablet or computer. There are both free and paid plans available.

How-To:

MyHealth Proxy Access
MyHealth is a free, secure portal that provides the most up-to-date medical information available about your or your loved one’s care. Parents, family members, legal representatives and other individuals may also obtain a MyHealth account if they become authorized as a proxy to access a patient's medical record for approved purposes.

  • How To Request Proxy Access

Care Circle
Care Circle is a blog platform that allows you to create a free website to write updates about the health of you or your loved one and share with family and friends.

How-To:

  • Create a Care Circle account
  • Follow the prompts to create a personal website. It should take five minutes or less to create
  • Personalize the website by giving it a name, adding a main photo and adding a cover photo
  • Post an update about the health of you or your loved one
  • Write a message to let your friends and family know how they can support you or your loved one
  • Share the site with friends and family by sending them a link or sharing on social media