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For Immediate Release September 23, 2024

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for both patients and staff, SIH is implementing a new Visitor Management Policy, effective Sept. 30, 2024. It’s a significant step forward in enhancing workplace safety and improving the overall care experience for our patients.

Recent analyses conducted by a multidisciplinary team within SIH revealed that 15% of all workplace violence-related events last year involved visitors. This alarming statistic underscores the critical need for a more structured and vigilant approach to managing visitor interactions within our facilities.

“Safety is paramount, not only for our patients and staff but also for other visitors. Knowing who is in our facilities and their intended purpose allows us to maintain a secure environment. This policy is not just about regulation; it’s about creating a peaceful and healing space for our patients and ensuring everyone on our premises is safe,” said SIH Director of Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance Brad Campbell.

Key Components

The new SIH Visitor Management Policy introduces several important changes designed to address the identified safety concerns and standardize visitor management across all hospitals.

  1. Visiting Hours and Rest Periods:
    • Visiting hours for inpatient areas will be strictly enforced from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
    • Rest and Healing hours will be observed from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., during which only one designated support person will be allowed to remain in the hospital. An overhead announcement will be made at 7:45 PM indicating the end of visiting hours and providing instructions for exiting the building.
    • Visitation outside of these hours may be arranged with prior approval from the nursing manager or supervisor for special circumstances such as the birth of a baby, significant patient deterioration, end-of-life care or other emergencies.
  2. Visitor Code of Conduct:
    • A new SIH Visitor Code of Conduct will be introduced to outline the expectations for visitor behavior. This code includes guidelines on maintaining a respectful and peaceful environment, adhering to infection control practices and prohibiting disruptive behavior.
    • “This Visitor Code of Conduct gives our staff the backing they need to enforce these guidelines effectively,” Campbell noted. “It’s a tool that empowers us to ensure our facilities remain safe and conducive to healing.”
  3. Visitor Badging and Identification:
    • SIH will issue visitor badges during Rest and Healing hours. Badges will be color-coded by area to help staff quickly identify if a visitor is in the correct location.
    • In outpatient settings, visitors will be limited to two per patient, and all visitors must adhere to the new conduct code.

Impacts and Expectations

This policy will be implemented across all SIH hospitals, including SIH Harrisburg Medical Center, SIH Herrin Hospital, SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale and SIH St. Joseph Memorial Hospital. The goal is to reduce visitor-related incidents significantly by the end of the year and to enhance the overall safety and satisfaction of both patients and staff.

“This policy wasn’t developed in isolation. It’s the result of extensive collaboration across various disciplines within SIH. Our team worked diligently to identify the gaps in our current system and develop long-term strategies to close those gaps. We believe these changes will make a real difference in how we manage visitors and maintain a safe, healing environment,” Campbell added.