Visitor Policy

Memorial Hermann recognizes the importance of family support in the healing process and, effective Aug. 31, 2020, will begin allowing one visitor per patient per day at our acute care facilities, as well as TIRR Memorial Hermann Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Clinic and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy. Children’s Memorial Hermann will allow two adult visitors per patient per day, with the exception of Labor & Delivery, which will allow one adult visitor per laboring mother per day.

Visitors are encouraged to complete the online pre-screening form at memorialhermann.org/screening before arriving at the facility they are visiting. Visitors will be asked to show confirmation they have cleared online pre-screening and will have their temperature taken prior to entering the facility.

Memorial Hermann’s outpatient facilities will continue to enforce a no-visitor policy with very limited exceptions until further notice to ensure social distancing can be achieved in waiting areas.

All visitors will be required to clear a health screening and will be provided a mask to wear upon entry and throughout their entire visit. Additional details of the updated visitor policy include:

One visitor (18 and over) will be allowed per patient at our acute care facilities, as well as TIRR Memorial Hermann Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Clinic and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy Age restrictions do not apply to visitors 18 and under who present in the Emergency Center with a patient. Minors who accompany Emergency Center patients may remain with the patient.

Children’s Memorial Hermann will allow two adult visitors per patient per day, with the exception of Labor & Delivery, which will allow one adult visitor per laboring mother per day.

Visiting hours for all Memorial Hermann hospitals, TIRR Memorial Hermann and Katy Rehab are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors of Day Surgery patients will be allowed to remain onsite until the patient is discharged as long as social distancing is not compromised in the waiting area.

No overnight visitors are allowed.

No visitors will be allowed for any patient in isolation.

Visitors may utilize hospital cafeterias and cafés.

Very limited compassionate exceptions to the modified visitor policy will be made for areas including Palliative Care, Supportive Care, Hospice, NICU, Pediatrics and Labor & Delivery, and will be managed by each facility.

Latest Announcements

Memorial Hermann Updates Visitor Policy, Effective Aug. 31 Memorial Hermann recognizes the importance of family support in the healing process and, effective Aug. 31, 2020, will begin allowing one visitor per patient per day at our acute care facilities, as well as TIRR Memorial Hermann Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Clinic and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy. Children’s Memorial Hermann will allow two adult visitors per patient per day, with the exception of Labor & Delivery, which will allow one adult visitor per laboring mother per day. Visitors are encouraged to complete the online pre-screening form at memorialhermann.org/screening before arriving at the facility they are visiting. Visitors will be asked to show confirmation they have cleared online pre-screening and will have their temperature taken prior to entering the facility. Memorial Hermann’s outpatient facilities, including Memorial Hermann Imaging Centers, Memorial Hermann Breast Care Centers, Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation locations and Memorial Hermann Medical Group clinics will continue to enforce a no-visitor policy with very limited exceptions until further notice to ensure social distancing can be achieved in waiting areas. University Place, a Memorial Hermann Skilled Nursing Facility and independent adult living community, will also continue to restrict all visitors in compliance with state guidelines for nursing centers. READ MORE

Joint Statement from St. Luke’s Health, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann Health System & Texas Children’s Hospital Regarding Houston Hospital Capacity and Executive Order CEOs across the Texas Medical Center have monitored the ongoing transmission of COVID-19 in our community and across the state since the earliest days of this pandemic. In response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, we want to reassure the public that this pandemic is not eclipsing our capabilities. Our hospitals have the ICU capacity, staff and supplies to meet the healthcare needs of our community. In addition, Texas hospitals continue to reserve 15 percent of capacity for COVID-19 patients and medical care continues to be routinely provided in inpatient and outpatient settings without taxing the overall hospitalization capacity. We realize that the letter issued by the Texas Medical Center yesterday afternoon caused unnecessary alarm. Our intent was to educate Houstonians and not alarm them about capacity, which is not an immediate concern. This morning, the governor issued an executive order restricting elective surgeries across several Texas counties, including Harris County. We respect what the governor is doing to fight this terrible virus and we will continue to work with him and local officials to care for our community. It is our hope that the executive order will only be in place for a short period of time, as it is critically important that we continue to meet the health needs of our community. READ MORE

Memorial Hermann Implements Additional Precautions to Protect Patients, Workforce and Community, effective Friday, June 26 Memorial Hermann Health System (is further modifying its visitor policy as an effort to continue to protect patients, workforce, caregivers and the community. Effective Friday, June 26, Memorial Hermann will no longer allow visitors to enter our facilities until further notice. This policy modification applies to all Memorial Hermann facilities. This decision will further protect our patients and the community from the spread of COVID-19 and help conserve Memorial Hermann’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure our ability to continue providing safe care during this time. There will be very limited compassionate exceptions – included below – to the no visitor policy. These visitors will be required to clear a health screening before entering the facility and wear a Memorial Hermann provided mask. Exceptions may vary by location. One adult (18 and over) visitor for laboring women

Family members for patients in hospice or supportive medicine

One visitor for patients receiving emergency care

One adult visitor for patients at the time of discharge following a surgery or procedure.

Patients with a disability or other medical condition who need assistance communicating with staff will be evaluated for potential visitor exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Memorial Hermann recognizes the importance of family support in the healing process and encourages patients to have virtual visits with loved ones using their personal smart devices during this time. Visitor Policy FAQs

Hess Corporation Offers Support for Healthcare Workers on the Frontlines Against COVID-19 Memorial Hermann Health System, the largest hospital network in Houston, announced today that Hess Corporation will be donating “Stay Well” care packages for 12,000 emergency room and intensive care personnel to recognize their service and provide items that can help reduce the risk of bringing the COVID-19 virus home after work. “Healthcare workers on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 place themselves in harm’s way every day,” said Andy Slentz, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Office Management. “We hope this package makes them feel appreciated and helps address the concern they have of protecting themselves and their loved ones.” According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), being exposed to COVID-19 at work and taking the infection home to their family is a top area of anxiety for caregivers. Distribution of care packages will begin at Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center on Tuesday, April 21 and continue at each Memorial Hermann hospital location until every frontline employee receives one. READ MORE

Memorial Hermann Launches Phased Approach to Safely Resume Services Diagnostic testing and procedures will resume Aprill 22, in accordance with national and statewide guidance Memorial Hermann Health System will begin a phased approach to safely resume services that will allow us to address the current and ongoing medical needs of our patients, effective today, Wednesday April 22. This decision was made in accordance with Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent announcement of the state’s initiative to begin lifting restrictions on elective procedures and surgeries. Memorial Hermann has designed a phased approach to safely provide medical services that are essential to the overall health and wellbeing of the Houston community while continuing to effectively care for those with COVID-19. The first phase includes the opening of non-invasive testing and procedures, including MRIs, CTs, mammograms and physical therapy at outpatient facilities and departments across Memorial Hermann. Over the next few weeks, Memorial Hermann plans to safely and cautiously work its way back to outpatient procedures and then surgeries. “We recognize that many patients may be suffering from serious conditions and the need for medical intervention is essential to their overall health and wellbeing,” said Dr. David Callender, President & CEO, Memorial Hermann. Read More

UTHealth, Memorial Hermann seeking plasma donations from survivors of COVID-19 An experimental therapy to help patients recover from COVID-19 by transfusing plasma from virus survivors into critically ill patients is being investigated by physicians at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) for use at Memorial Hermann. They are asking for anyone in the Greater Houston area who has recovered from COVID-19 and been symptom-free for at least two weeks to fill out this form to determine if they qualify to donate plasma and potentially save lives. Plasma, which is the component of blood that carries cells and proteins throughout the body, can be full of antibodies among those who have recovered from COVID-19 infection. The antibody-rich plasma can be transfused to sick persons to help them overcome the COVID-19 illness. For more information, visit here and/or email covidplasma@uth.tmc.edu. READ MORE

Memorial Hermann Implements Additional Precautions to Protect Patients, Workforce and Community, effective Thursday, April 2 Memorial Hermann Health System (“Memorial Hermann”) is further modifying its visitor policy as an effort to continue to protect patients, workforce, caregivers and the community. Effective Friday, March 27 and updated Thursday, April 2, Memorial Hermann will no longer allow visitors to enter our facilities until further notice. This policy modification applies to all Memorial Hermann facilities. This decision will further protect our patients and the community from the spread of COVID-19 and help conserve Memorial Hermann’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure our ability to continue providing safe care during this time. The following limited exceptions to the no visitor policy will be made and these visitors will be required to clear a health screening before entering the facility. Exceptions may vary by location. They include: One visitor for laboring women. Changes to the selected visitor will not be allowed.

All hospitals will allow a loved one to stay with laboring mom through discharge. Re-entry is not allowed.

No visitors will be allowed to accompany mothers-to-be for outpatient ultra-sound appointments at the Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center

One visitor (parent or guardian) for pediatric patients

Family members for patients in hospice or supportive medicine

One visitor for patients receiving emergency care

One visitor for patients at the time of discharge following a surgery or procedure.

Patients with a disability or other medical condition who need assistance communicating with staff will be evaluated for potential visitor exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Memorial Hermann recognizes the importance of family support in the healing process and is encouraging the use of video chat programs on your personal device to visit with loved ones who cannot visit in person. Read More

Memorial Hermann Implements Additional Precautions to Protect Patients, Workforce and Community, Effective Friday, March 27 Memorial Hermann Health System (“Memorial Hermann”) is further modifying its visitor policy as an effort to continue to protect patients, workforce, caregivers and the community. Effective Friday, March 27, Memorial Hermann will no longer allow visitors to enter our facilities until further notice. This policy modification applies to all Memorial Hermann facilities. This decision will further protect our patients and the community from the spread of COVID-19 and help conserve Memorial Hermann’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure our ability to continue providing safe care during this time. READ MORE

Memorial Hermann Implements Additional Precautions to Protect Patients, Workforce and Community, effective Tuesday, March 24 Memorial Hermann Health System (“Memorial Hermann”) is further modifying its visitor policy as an effort to continue to protect patients, workforce, caregivers and the community. Effective Tuesday, March 24, no visitors will be allowed for patients in isolation, including those under evaluation or who have tested positive for COVID-19, until further notice. This policy modification applies to all Memorial Hermann facilities. This decision will further protect our patients and the community from the spread of COVID-19 and help conserve Memorial Hermann’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure our ability to continue providing safe care during this time. Read More

Memorial Hermann Postponing Elective, Non-Urgent Surgeries, Procedures and Some Outpatient Services Memorial Hermann is postponing elective, non-urgent surgeries, procedures and outpatient services (including some physical therapy, occupational therapy and imaging exams) in an effort to further protect the greater Houston community from the spread of COVID-19 and conserve resources for the sickest and most vulnerable of patients. This decision, which was made in consultation with physicians from across Memorial Hermann Health System, aligns directly with the American College of Surgeons and the U.S. Surgeon General recommendations to postpone elective, non-urgent surgeries nationwide as a proactive measure for the potential surge of COVID-19 patients. READ MORE FAQ

Memorial Hermann Implements Additional Precautions to Protect Patients, Workforce and Community, effective Tuesday, March 17 Memorial Hermann Health System is further modifying its visitor policy by reducing the number of visitors per patient, limiting visitation hours and implementing workforce screening, effective Tuesday, March 17 until further notice. These new, additional precautionary measures are to further protect the health of our patients, workforce and the community, and prevent the potential spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The new modifications to the Visitor Policy for acute-care and rehabilitation hospitals and Convenient Care Centers: Visitation hours are now 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Visitation will be limited to one adult (18 years or older) visitors per patient, per day. All visitors, including vendors and contractors, will continue to be screened at designated entry points, including the Emergency Center. For patients in isolation or patients under investigation, visitation will continue to be limited to one adult (18 years or older) per patient, per day. These visitors will be required to wear personal protective equipment and will not be permitted to visit common areas within the facility. Limited exceptions will be made for palliative care, supportive care, hospice, NICU, pediatrics and labor and delivery. The brief screening process includes a temperature check and questionnaire. Individuals cleared through the screening process will receive a color-coded wristband which must be worn throughout their hospital visit. Visitors who are sick or do not meet screening criteria will not be allowed to enter the facility. Additional modifications are being implemented to other Memorial Hermann locations: Memorial Hermann Long-Term Skilled Nursing Facility will no longer allow visitors, per CDC recommendations.

Memorial Hermann Medical Group will no longer accept walk-in patients. Patients are encouraged to call their physician’s office ahead of time to book an appointment and tell the office what symptoms you are experiencing.

Memorial Hermann Urgent Care’s remain open at this time. However, patients are encouraged to call ahead if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Read More

Regional health care institutions align on protective measures for COVID-19 Regional health care providers in the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, are committed to protecting the health and safety of patients, visitors, employees and members of the community during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Institutions are working together to proactively implement measures that can serve to decrease transmission of the virus and “flatten the curve,” which aims to extend new cases over a longer time period to avoid overwhelming the capacity of the health care system. READ MORE

Memorial Hermann Campus Maps

Additional precautions implemented on March 17, 2020 may impact entrances and exits at your local hospital. Please check the maps below for updated information.