With a high percentage of Renown hospital staff now vaccinated against COVID-19, declining hospitalizations of patients with COVID-19, and understanding that the best communication is in-person, as of April 28, 2021, Renown hospitals and medical practices now allow two visitors, instead of one, for all patients and have put extra safety measures in place to protect patients, visitors and healthcare employees.

Under this updated visitor policy, patients no longer need to identify their supporters ahead of their arrival. Patients may receive more than two visitors per day; however, to help ensure adequate physical distancing, only two guests are asked to visit at a time. All people entering Renown sites must continue bringing and wearing a face mask for their entire visit, including inside patient rooms.

Renown’s visitor policy updates were inspired by family members, who requested that the policy be expanded to encourage two family members per day to be able to visit a loved one who was hospitalized at Renown.

Two patient supporters per patient are now able to access Renown campuses as noted: 

• Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • For Intensive Care Units (ICU): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors must be at least 12 years of age or older.

• Renown Children’s Hospital: Open access.

  • For the Pediatric unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU): Visitors must be at least 12 years of age or older.
  • For the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Visitors must be at least 18 years of age or older.

• Renown Rehabilitation Hospital: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • One designated patient supporter is allowed to visit the patient inside their room throughout the duration of their stay. Other loved ones may visit from an exterior window, outside the patient’s room. Our care team is also pleased to facilitate bedside virtual visits.

In addition to in-person visits, there are many ways to brighten the day of a patient at Renown hospitals. You can send a personalized message that will be hand-delivered to your loved one by clicking here, call 775-982-4100 to speak with a patient, or Renown's care team will help facilitate virtual visits via computer or tablet from the bedside.

Renown Health reserves the right to limit visitors in the best interests of patients, families, visitors or staff. For more detailed information on Renown’s patient supporter program click here

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2, 2021 

According to the Nevada Health Response we're under 1,100 confirmed COVID-19 patients statewide; that's down more than 600 people since this time last month. In Washoe County hospitalizations have dropped by more than 50 percent in the last month.

Along with that good news, Renown is lifting some of its visitation restrictions.

Now patients will be able to hold hands with loved ones while in the hospital.

 

"We are certainly in a different place today, with more knowledge equipment and supplies than a year ago, and that allows us to get to a new place where we can strike a new balance with protection and healing," says Anthony Slonim, Renown CEO.

The change was inspired by Darlene Randolph. She lost her husband, Dave, to COVID in December, after 45 years of marriage. He was in the hospital for 17 days. Due to visitation policies at the time, Darlene wasn't able to be with her husband, when he passed. Shortly after her husband died, she sent a letter to Renown, thanking staff for their care pointing out she wished she was there at his last moments. Renown says among other things, such as vaccinations and declining hospitalizations, her request inspired them to change the policy. 

Now visiting hours for all patients, including those diagnosed with COVID-19 will be extended to 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (previously 3-8 p.m.). All patients can have up to two visitors, those will be encouraged to visit one at a time.

 

"I don't know whether he would have lived any longer, or would still be alive, but I think he would've lived longer if I had been able to be there," says Darlene Randolph, patients wife.

(Renown Health contributed to this report.)