Geisinger further limits visitors to help protect against novel coronavirus spread

DANVILLE, Pa. – Geisinger has been monitoring and responding daily to the evolving novel coronavirus situation and has made the following changes to ensure the safety of all our patients, visitors and employees to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities:

Inpatient visitation limited
After careful consideration, beginning tomorrow, March 20, we are temporarily suspending routine, in-person visits to our hospitalized patients. We encourage everyone to use alternative ways of interacting, including phone calls, Facetime, Skype and other means.

However, we know that sometimes it’s crucial to have a visitor or family member present. Visitors will be allowed for:

• Patients who are medically unstable (one visitor)
• Patients who are at the end of life (two visitors)
• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures (one single-time visitor immediately after the procedure)
• Delivering mothers (up to two visitors: one adult family member and if necessary, one doula)
• Patients who are minors and those with limited decisional capacity (up to two parents or guardians)
• Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays and caregiver provides safety (one visitor)
• Patients with disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care (one visitor)

Approved visitors are subject to the following guidelines:

• Visitors must not have symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath).
• Visitors who have traveled internationally or been exposed to someone with a fever, the flu or a proven COVID-19 case in the past 14 days are not permitted.
• Visitors must stay in the patient’s room the entire time of the visit. Once they leave the patient’s room, they must leave the medical center.
• Visitors under the age of 18 will not be allowed except under extraordinary circumstances, and no animals other than service animals are permitted.

Outpatient guidelines
Patients who have an appointment at a Geisinger clinic, laboratory or radiology, as well as those visiting the Emergency Department, may have one person accompany them, if necessary.

Thank you for your understanding during these uncertain times. Our team is prepared and trained, and we stand ready to treat our communities during any public health concern — and COVID-19 is no exception. If you have any questions, please contact your care team.

Please call first
Before visiting a doctor’s office, convenient care clinic or emergency department, people should call their primary care doctor’s office or Geisinger’s 24/7 novel coronavirus hotline at 570-284-3657 if they may have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or if they have: 

• Cough 
• Fever
• Shortness of breath

For general questions and information about COVID-19, people can visit geisinger.org/coronavirus. Using these resources before going to a doctor’s office, walk-in clinic or emergency department can help lessen the possible spread of the virus.

About Geisinger

Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates more than $8 billion in annual revenues across 163 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 500 medical professionals annually and is conducting more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With more than 27,000 employees, including 1,800 employed physicians and 5,200 registered nurses, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers, having an estimated economic impact of $16.8 billion on the state’s economy. In 2024, Geisinger joined Risant Health, a nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.