What to Expect at Seattle Children’s During COVID-19

Visitor restrictions at all our locations

At all of our clinics, we recommend that only 1 parent or adult caregiver come with a patient to their appointment. However, up to 3 people (including the patient) can come to the appointment at this time. We do not allow more than 3 people without an exception. Siblings who are younger than 1 year old can come and are not included in the total number of people allowed at the visit.

For patients staying at the hospital overnight: Most single and double rooms allow up to 3 people to be identified as caregivers per patient. The list of the 3 caregivers may not be changed during the patient’s hospital stay. Up to 2 people are allowed in the room with the patient at a time during visiting hours.  

• In double rooms: Only 1 caregiver can stay overnight.
• In the Special Isolation Unit: Only 1 caregiver is allowed in a room at a time and only 1 caregiver can stay overnight.

• Screening and testing for patients and families

  Upon arrival, patients and families are asked screening questions for signs of illness. Based on their responses, we conduct further screening and/or COVID-19 testing of the patient. Some patients are proactively tested before their clinic appointment or hospital stay. Please contact your child’s provider if your child develops a new illness like fever, cough, or runny nose before your scheduled visit.

• Everyone is required to wear a medical mask at all times

  Everyone, including patients, families and visitors, is required to wear a medical mask at all times. This includes the blue masks we provide at entrances, or KN95 masks that you can purchase. At this time, wearing a cloth mask or other face covering is not allowed. If you do not have your own mask, we will give you a mask as you enter the building.

• Strict guidelines for physical distancing

  We have signage and instructions for physical distancing at areas of our hospital and clinics where people might gather. Places like our family lounges and waiting rooms have been rearranged to allow people to keep physical distance of at least 6 feet.

• Mandatory COVID-19 testing for patients with a planned surgery, procedure or hospital stay

  We require all patients to get a COVID-19 test 2 days before their surgery or a planned hospital stay. This requirement also applies to most procedures. If a patient tests positive for COVID-19, their attending surgeon and our Infection Prevention specialist will decidenext steps.

• Daily screening for staff and faculty

  We are screening all of our staff upon entry for signs of illness. If an employee is found to have signs of illness, they are referred to COVID-19 testing and asked to follow our standard work restriction policy as it applies to them.