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Porter Medical Center > Patients & Visitors > Visiting Patients

Visiting Patients

Updated: June 27, 2022

All patients and residents need their families, caregivers and support network to heal. We welcome visitors of all ages as part of our patient care team, so long as they adhere to these visitation guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please note the following definitions for visitors: a caregiver is an adult responsible for direct care protection and supervision of a child or adult with special needs, a support person is any visitor supporting a patient.

  • Everyone over 2 years old must wear a mask at all times*, including during sleep if they are staying overnight;
  • Everyone must be screened for symptoms and recent household exposure to COVID-19 upon arrival;
  • We are currently unable to allow the use of waiting rooms or common areas for support people;
  • Disruptive or violent behavior is not tolerated. Threatening a patient, resident or staff member will result in immediate removal by security and/or local law enforcement.

Visitors who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days, have symptoms or had a recent household exposure, should consider deferring visitation or using an alternative method like video chat. Exceptions may be permitted.

  • If you have COVID-19 or believe you may have been exposed, please contact the department you wish to visit as far in advance as possible by calling the Main Hospital at 802-388-4701;
  • Priority will be given to support people and caregivers in beginning and end-of-life care situations;
  • Care areas with high-risk patients may impose additional restrictions for patient safety.
Inpatient Unit: Medical/Surgical2 support people at a time
1 support person overnight, as space allows, in a private room
Inpatient Unit:
End of Life Care		4 support people at a time
Inpatient Unit:
Birthing Center		Designate 4 support people age 15+, may be younger if siblings of the baby
If patient or support person is COVID+, 1 support person
1 support person overnight, as space allows in a private room
Sibling(s) must be symptom-free, masked, and in the patient’s room at all times
Doulas are providers and do not count towards number of support people
Ambulatory Clinics
Emergency Department
Express Care
Surgical Services		2 support people at a time, as space allows
Infusion Center1 support person at a time
Outpatient Services:
Lab and Radiology		1-2 support people at a time, as space allows
Helen Porter Health and Rehabilitation CenterOutdoor visitation is preferred
Visitation may occur in patient/resident room, or other areas when support people are socially distanced from other residents/patients
Gatherings over 3 support people require advanced notice given space limitations

* Masking exceptions may be permitted in certain situations.
This policy may change according to the severity of COVID-19 in our region.