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Coronavirus

Mask Policy and Service Changes

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we work, live and operate. To help keep you, our visitors and our staff safe, we've added new protocols to our current safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On this page, you can learn about our visitor guidelines, mask policy and service changes due to COVID-19. Check back frequently to stay up-to-date on any coronavirus safety measures.

Guidelines for visiting the health system

To protect our patients, visitors and staff, we have implemented important safety guidelines for visitors and others accompanying patients to appointments.

If your healthcare needs will be met at one of the following locations, please review its visitor policy:

Health system facilities in the Kansas City area visitor policy guidelines include:

For most emergency department patients in Kansas City, no visitors or guests are allowed. This helps us practice physical distancing and prevent virus spread.

There are limited exceptions. Patients who have mobility or cognitive issues, are nearing end of life or are younger than 18 may be accompanied.

Any person who runs a temperature or reports any cold- or flu-like symptoms may not accompany a patient into our facilities.

For most patients, 1 visitor is allowed each day. Exceptions include:

  • 2 parents or guardians for patients younger than 18
  • Additional support persons for patients nearing the end of life
  • 0 visitors for patients receiving cancer treatments/infusions (1 visitor allowed for cancer exam appointments)
  • 0 visitors for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19

Any visitor who has a fever or other cold or flu-like symptoms will not be allowed in our facilities.

Visitors should go directly to the nurses station in the area they are visiting before going to a patient’s room. Any visitor who runs a temperature upon screening or self-screening or reports any of the symptoms outlined on the screening signage should return to their vehicle and not accompany the patient into our facility.

For most patients with in-person appointments at Kansas City area locations, no guests are allowed. To enable physical distancing and prevent virus spread, these appointments are for patients only.

There are limited exceptions. A patient who has mobility or cognitive issues, requires a designated driver or is younger than 18 may be accompanied by a caregiver, guardian or guest.

Any person who runs a temperature upon screening or reports any symptom listed on the screening signage should not accompany the patient into our facility. No COVID-19-positive visitors are allowed.

Masks required for patients, visitors and staff

As we work together to preserve health and safety for our health system and communities, we require all patients, visitors and staff to wear masks. It's a necessity of our new normal that certainly feels different, but guidelines from the CDC indicate wearing a barrier mask provides a measure of protection for all of us.

If you're hesitant, please remember: "When you wear a mask, you protect others. When I wear a mask, I protect you."

We're commonly asked the following questions, and we hope the responses help everyone understand the value of wearing masks to protect each other.

  • It's possible to have COVID-19 without having symptoms. Masks help prevent germs from traveling far enough to infect others, especially those at high risk. If you wear a mask, you protect others from germs you do not even know you have. When others wear masks, they protect you the same way.

  • Asymptomatic transmission refers to transmission of the virus by a person who does not develop symptoms.

  • Please contact your care team in advance of any appointments and let our staff know of your condition. Telehealth may be an appropriate option for you. To protect others, always maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance around yourself, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, and cover your cough and sneeze into your elbow.

  • Masks should not be placed on children younger than 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.

  • For the safety of all patients, visitors and staff, we require all who enter our facilities to wear a mask. If you cannot wear one, or refuse to wear one, please contact your care team to discuss options like telehealth. Any patient who arrives but refuses to wear a mask will be asked to return to their vehicle.

  • The mask should cover your nose and chin. It should fit snugly but comfortably and should not restrict your breathing. It should be secured with ear loops or ties. You should handle the mask only by the ear loops or ties when removing and should be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, mouth or face while removing. Cloth masks should be laundered between uses.

  • No. When in our facilities, including in exam rooms during visits, you must wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth. If you would like to wear a face shield as well, you are welcome to do so, but it must be in addition to a mask. The face shield provides helpful protection, such as for the eyes, but it does not fit closely over the nose and mouth to contain the spread of respiratory droplets. Wearing a face shield does not take the place of wearing a mask.

  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest information and recommendations.

Service changes

We have made and will continue to make service changes necessary to uphold health and reduce risk.

  • We've reinvented the outpatient clinic experience with process changes to protect patient and staff. Learn more about what to expect when you visit us for your important healthcare.

    • Contact your care team directly to learn more about remote and select in-person options.
    • Turning Point is offering a variety of classes by Zoom through July. Learn more.

  • We test all patients admitted to the hospital on our main campus. Proactively determining each person's status helps us provide the best individualized plans of care.

  • We have made temporary changes to our food, drink and dining offerings throughout health system cafes.

    • We have closed self-serve options, including salad bars and fountain drink stations.
    • We have discontinued the use of reusable cups.
    • We have closed dine-in seating options – though grab-and-go food and drink options are still readily available.

    The hours of several of our Roasterie Café locations have changed. You can visit these locations Monday-Friday.

    • Cambridge Tower A: 5:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
    • Medical Pavilion, Level 1: 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
    • Center for Advanced Heart Care, ground floor: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

    D&G Café and Bell Café continue to offer fresh-brewed Roasterie coffee 24/7.

  • Valet parking services have changed:

    • Valet parking at our main campus, including Cambridge Tower A, has closed. Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., we will be happy to meet you with a wheelchair at your vehicle and assist you to and from your appointment.
    • At The University of Kansas Cancer Center at our Westwood Campus and at the Richard and Annette Bloch Radiation Oncology Pavilion on Rainbow Boulevard, all visitors must be screened before exiting their vehicles. Once you have passed your screening, we will valet park your vehicle.
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Related links

COVID-19 Testing
Mask Policy & Service Changes
Health & Safety Protocols
COVID-19 Newsroom
How You Can Help
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
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