Visiting Guidelines

Visiting Guidelines

We are committed to the safety of our patients, visitors, medical staff, and SVMC employees while providing excellent patient care. SVMC continues adjusting in-person visitor guidelines in alignment with guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and recommendations from Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency (TCHHSA).

It always helps to know what to expect prior to your hospital visit or stay. To learn about visiting guidelines for specific locations within our hospital, view the Visiting Guidenlines By Location page. For general visiting information, use the navigation box to view the guidelines relevant to your visit.

Visitor Guidelines were last updated October 25, 2023.

Inpatient & Visitor Guide

It always helps to know what to expect prior to your hospital stay. With that in mind, we have created downloadable online versions of our Inpatient Guides. To view them, please click on the appropriate links below.

Flu & RSV Restrictions

As of October 25, 2023, we have implemented Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Influenza (Flu) restrictions to prevent the spread of these viruses throughout the community.

Visitors under the age of 13 will be restricted from any of SVMC’s acute care units, as well as from the Distinct Part/Skilled Nursing Facility (DP/SNF). This restriction will be in effect until the RSV/Flu season’s conclusion, which is dependent on the number of cases reported in the area.

Age Restrictions

Due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Influenza (Flu) restrictions, children under the age of 13 are restricted from visiting in any of SVMC's acute are units and Distinct Part/Skilled Nursing Facility (DP/SNF).

Outside of RSV & Flu season, in departments that allow two or more visitors, children under the age of 13 are permitted. Children under 13 must observe hand hygiene procedures, physical distancing, and be accompanied by an adult visitor over the age of 18 at ALL times. Children under the age of 13 are not allowed in the following areas:

  • ER
  • ICU
  • Maternal Child Health (Labor & Delivery)

Behavior Guidelines

To ensure a safe and comfortable environment for SVMC patients and guests, please be courteous of others and adhere to the following Behavior Guidelines. Allowed visitors who do not comply with hospital policy will be asked to leave

  • Allowed visitors will not interfere with the activities of any employee(s)
  • Allowed visitors must behave in a quiet and calm manner
  • Allowed visitors will remain at the designated patient's bedside or in authorized waiting areas

COVID-19 Safety

We are working around the clock to combat the spread of COVID-19 for the safety of our patients, visitors, employees, and community.All visitors must:

  • Wear other personal protective equipment (PPE) while in the patient's room that SVMC personnel deem appropriate to the situation
  • Physically distance from SVMC employees, patients, and others that are not part of the same group at all

Food & Drink Policy

Before bringing food or drinks, please check with the patient's nurse. Patients often need special diets as part of their care. Once food or drinks are taken into a patient's room, they cannot be placed in a hospital refrigerator.

Our café serves meals daily and vending machines are also available in the ER, Medical Office Building, second and fourth floors.

  • Weekday Cafe Hours 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM
    • Breakfast Hot Buffet: 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM
    • Lunch Hot Buffet: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    • Dinner (Grab-n-Go options only): 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

  • Weekend Cafe Hours 6:30 AM - 2 PM & 5 PM - 7 PM (The Cafe is closed between 2 PM - 5 PM)
    • Breakfast Hot Buffet: 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM
    • Lunch Hot Buffet: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    • Dinner (Grab-n-Go options only): 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

  • Java Express Hours: 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday

Patients with Disabilities

Guidelines for patients with physical, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities:

  • Two (2) visitors per patient in most areas of the SVMC campus
  • Visitor rotation is allowed
  • Visitors do not need to be designated by the patient
  • If there are more than two visitors, the most recent to arrive will be asked to leave the facility
  • Visiting hours: 6 AM – 9 PM
  • For COVID-19 Patients: Two (2) visitors per day and one (1) overnight stay. Follow Medical/Surgical guidelines listed below.

Smoke & Tobacco Free Campus

Since we are committed to the health and safety of our patients, visitors, employees, and community, Sierra View Medical Center is a smoke and tobacco free facility.

To help prevent the dangers of smoking and the risks of second-hand smoking, SVMC prohibits the act of smoking anywhere on hospital property. This decision is based on medical science, which demonstrates smoking and second-hand smoke is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. As a healthcare leader, we have a responsibility to promote policies that create a safe and comfortable environment for our patients, guests, volunteers, and employees.

Visiting Hours

General visiting hours are from 6 AM – 9 PM. Please view the visitor guidelines for the department relevant to your visit for additional visiting hours’ restrictions.

Visiting COVID-19 Patients

Visitors are allowed to visit COVID-19 positive patients. Visitors cannot go to any area other than the patient's room. Visitors of COVID-19 positive patients must:

  • Wear a mask inside the hospital
  • Be screened for fever and respiratory illness symptoms
  • Wear a red visitor positive sign badge. Badges are distributed and returned at the Information Desk
  • Wear a face shield/goggles, N95 mask, gown, and gloves at all times while in the patient room. Please review the attached COVID-19 Visitor Rules for proper PPE procedures. (Attach New Visitor Rules)
  • Follow additional department guidelines as found below and attached (LINK)

Questions? Please call 559-784-1110 or email marketing@sierra-view.com