As areas in our region go through phases of reopening, we believe it is key to the safety of all patients and employees to continue our current screening measures before entering our facilities and temporary restriction on visitation.

For now, only visitors who meet exception criteria will be permitted to enter—and all must go through screening at the entrance, with no exceptions. For loved ones unable to visit in person at this time, our team is happy to help facilitate an online visit so you can stay connected.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation as we take the steps necessary to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Clinics & Offices

Saint Luke’s has instituted a number of guidelines for patients visiting our clinics and locations. These guidelines are designed to keep our patients and staff safe.

• Mandatory masking – All patients should bring and plan to wear a mask throughout their time in the clinic or building, even once you enter the exam room. A cloth mask or bandana is fine as long as it covers your nose and mouth.
• Entrance screening – When you arrive for your appointment, you will be screened at the entrance of the clinic. You’ll be asked questions about your symptoms and have your temperature taken. If you arrive and are showing any COVID-related symptoms, you may be asked to go back to your car and call the office for further direction.
• eCheck-In – For patients with a mySaintLuke’s patient portal account, we encourage you to use the eCheck-In feature ahead of your appointment. This will help us get you to a room as quickly as possible. If you do not have a mySaintLuke’s account, signing up is easy. See: how to use eCheck-In.
• Visitor guidelines – Visitors are not allowed unless the patient requires assistance. If so, only one visitor over the age of 14 is allowed. The visitor will be screened and must wear a mask at all times.
• Additional time – With screening prior to entry, please allow extra time to get to your appointment. Your clinic will let you know the ideal time to arrive. If you arrive earlier than that, you may be asked to go back to your car or to wait outside.
• Monitor symptoms – If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or develop any new symptoms within 14 days before your appointment, it’s important to call your clinic. Symptoms to watch for include:
  • Fever of 100 degrees or higher
  • Loss of smell or taste
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diarrhea
  • Sore throat
  • Body aches

If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please call your provider’s clinic.

Hospitals

Saint Luke’s has instituted a temporary “No Visitors” rule at all hospitals following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations on social distancing and to protect our valued patients, clinicians, caregivers, and staff.

The following exceptions will be made to the no visitors rule:

• When patient is a minor (under the age of 18)
• When patient is in labor and delivery
• When patient requires assistance to move through the hospital
• When patient is confused or developmentally disabled
• When patient is undergoing procedure with conscious sedation
• When patient requires transportation to long-term or skilled nursing facility
• When patient is at end of life

Please contact the department supervisor if you have any questions.

We believe human connections are important to the healing process, so we’ve developed Saint Luke’s Family and Friends Program to connect patients with their loved ones through Webex online meeting technology on a device we provide. Please call your care team to schedule a visit with your loved one.

Please note, any individual granted an exception who screens positive will not be allowed to enter.

Public entrances

To help implement these important restrictions, Saint Luke’s is limiting public hospital entrances to Main Entrances, Emergency Room Entrances, Clinic Entrances, and a single loading/receiving dock.

At each of these entrances, everyone will be screened for exposure to someone with COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, and a temperature check. We will also ask the reason for their visit. This applies to all vendors, contractors, volunteers, and non-SLHS providers.

Maternity Centers & NICUs

Saint Luke’s is taking extensive measures to protect all patients and staff from the spread of COVID-19. We know this situation is top of mind for expecting parents now and will continue to be as they make plans for delivery. This situation will require them to plan a little differently than they ordinarily might.

Labor & Delivery

When labor begins, a patient is allowed one designated support person, whether this is the non-delivering parent or another designated support person.

The designated support person must pass all current screening criteria to enter the hospital.

No one will be allowed to enter who, in the past 14 days, has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, been diagnosed with COVID-19, or has any new symptoms including a fever of 100 degrees or higher, loss of smell or taste, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, sore throat, or body aches.

The designated support person may not leave and return—they must remain with the patient the entire duration of the stay.

If the mother is admitted for observation or bed rest, the support person must wait until active labor starts to enter the hospital.

NICU

Our tiniest babies are some of our most vulnerable patients, and we’re working hard to protect their health and the health of all of our providers and caregivers in the NICU. Because of that, only parents of the infant will be allowed to visit.

One visit by one parent is allowed one time per day. Even if one parent visits and then leaves, the baby’s other parent wouldn’t be allowed to come in later. They would have to be the baby’s only visitor on another day.

Any visiting parent must pass all current screening criteria to enter the hospital. No one will be allowed to enter who, in the past 14 days, has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, been diagnosed with COVID-19, or has any new symptoms including a fever of 100 degrees or higher, loss of smell or taste, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, sore throat, or body aches. 

The visiting parent should plan to stay in the NICU for their entire visit – once the parent leaves, they will not be permitted to return during the same day.

If the baby is expected to have a short length of stay in the NICU, which might be up to five days, our expectation is that one of the baby’s parents will stay in the NICU for the baby’s entire stay.

Crittenton Children's Center

Saint Luke's is immediately instituting a temporary "No Visitors" rule at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City Crittenton Children's Center. The only exemption will be during patient discharge. At that time, one parent or guardian will be allowed on campus. 

In addition, all social and recreational outings will be temporarily canceled or postponed to further limit community exposure. Essential appointments off campus, such as medical appointments, will continue. 

Long-Term Care

Bishop Spencer Place and Residential Living Center

At this time, no visitors will be allowed, except for end-of-life situations or when a visitor is essential to the resident’s emotional well-being and care. These visitors will be required to enter through the main entrance, wear a mask, restrict their visit to the resident’s room, and meet all of the following screening criteria:

• In the past 14 days, no diagnosis of COVID-19 or exposure to someone with COVID-19
• Temperature of less than 100 degrees
• In the past 14 days, no COVID-19-related symptoms including fever of 100 degrees or higher, loss of smell or taste, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, sore throat, or body aches