For months, we have faced the challenges of living
through this pandemic together. With each passing
day we have more reasons to hope that we will
control this virus soon.
Still, the crisis is far from over. Stanford Health Care
will make sure you get the safest, highest quality care,
especially during these challenging times. We are here
for you.
PATIENT, FAMILY & CAREGIVER
YOUR GUIDE TO HAVING SURGICAL PROCEDURES DURING COVID-19
WELCOME TO
STANFORD HEALTH CARE
COVID-19 POLICIES
KEEPING YOU SAFE
WHAT TO EXPECT
STANFORD
RESOURCES
PATIENT DROP-OFF/
CHECK-IN
CAREGIVER
CONTACT FORM
PLANNING GUIDE
CHECKLIST
Page 1
Updated December 16, 2020, v.5
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
KEEPING YOU SAFE
TOPICS:
How Stanford
Health Care will
keep YOU safe
How Stanford
Health Care will
keep STAFF safe
HOW STANFORD WILL KEEP YOU SAFE
Making sure our patients are safe goes hand-in-hand with
making sure our health care workers are safe. We have a
set of guidelines to do this.
Offer video visits before your surgical procedure, as appropriate,
using your smartphone, mobile device or computer
Not allow visitorsto prevent the spread of infection
Place masks on everyone who enters the hospital
Screen everyone for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the
hospital
Test all patients for COVID-19 before admission or a surgical
procedure
Place COVID-19 patients in specific areas reserved for them within
our hospital for safety
Consider the safety of the location where you will stay after you
leave the hospital.This will lower the risk of COVID-19 infection and
help recovery.
HOW STANFORD WILL KEEP STAFF SAFE
Continue checking our staff daily for any COVID-19 symptoms
Provide COVID-19 vaccinations to our health care staff
Continue COVID-19 testing of our health care staff
Keep plenty of protective equipment available – masks, gowns,
and gloves
Update our plans as we monitor the disease in the community
Page 2
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
COVID-19 POLICIES
TOPICS:
Visitor policy
Patient masks
If you are COVID-19
positive before
your procedure
VISITOR POLICY
We want to be sure that you, your family and caregivers are
aware of Stanford Health Care policies for COVID-19.
State and local health officials are continuously updating
guidance. Visit our website for the latest updates:
stanfordhealthcare.org/visitorpolicy.
Page 3
Visitors are not allowed to enter a facility. There are narrow
exceptions to this rule for certain patients who need
caregivers.
EXCEPTIONS:
Patients under age 18
Patients with disabilities (physical, mental, or developmental)
Patients at the end of their lives
Your care team will determine if you can have a caregiver with you.
They will make this decision during your call with them before your
surgery.
If you meet these requirements, the caregiver will be screened for
COVID-19 symptoms at the facility entrance.
If your caregiver passes the screening, they will be given a mask with
directions on where to go.
Those who do not pass will not be allowed to enter.
Stanford Health Care has moved to a policy of not allowing
visitors. This will limit the risk of COVID-19 to patients and staff.
All caregivers must wait outside or offsite during the surgery. The
care team will call your caregiver after the surgery.
One caregiver is allowed to visit if they need training to care for the
patient when returning home.
One healthy caregiver is permitted to accompany:
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
COVID-19 POLICIES
Page 4
VISITOR POLICY
PATIENT MASKS
Social distancing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of
infection. But that isn’t always possible. At Stanford Health Care, each
patient will be asked to wear a mask.
You will receive a procedure mask when you enter the hospital.
Wear your mask at all times around others. You may remove your mask when you are alone
in your room. Put it on again when you leave your room or when other people enter the room.
If your mask gets dirty, wet, or damaged, ask your care team for a new one.
Visitors who are allowed must:
Be screened for COVID-19 symptoms at the
entrance
Wear the mask given to them at all times
Use hand sanitizer when entering the
hospital, and when entering and leaving
the patient’s room
Go directly to the patient’s room
Not eat nor drink in patient's room
Stay in the patient’s room, and leave and re-
enter only once per visit
Not linger in hallways or waiting rooms
Not stay overnight
Keep 6 feet away from others
Wash hands regularly
Follow staff instructions
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
COVID-19 POLICIES
Your doctors and care team will work with you on your care plan. They will consider how
urgent the procedure is and how the infection might affect your recovery.
If your care team decides your surgical procedure should be delayed, they will tell you
how to home quarantine and check your symptoms. You will be retested before having the
procedure.
If your doctor decides that your surgical procedure should continue, our care teams will
take the utmost caution.
They will use special personal protective equipment.
You will be placed in a special unit to prevent spread of COVID-19.
The teams will follow county reporting rules for public health.
IF YOU ARE COVID-19 POSITIVE BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE
If you test positive for COVID-19 before your scheduled procedure:
Page 5
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
WHAT TO EXPECT
TOPICS:
What you can and
cannot bring
MyHealth
Important medical
documents
Videovisits
Planning for care
after you leave the
hospital
WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT
BRING TO THE HOSPITAL
Extra clothes
Purses, shoulder bags, jewelry
Books, framed pictures, blankets
Not accepted:
We ask patients to bring only the belongings necessary for
your care. Please keep all other items at home or with family.
Medicines not available at our pharmacy
Items needed for care (such as glasses or hearing aids)
Phones and mobile devices
Accepted:
At Stanford Health Care, we want to give you guidance on
how to prepare for your hospital visit. With our policies on
COVID-19 prevention, you can be safe and stay connected
with friends and family during your stay.
MYHEALTH
MyHealth is a Stanford Health Care app that allows you and
your caregiver to stay informed. It delivers updates on your
care to your phone or laptop during your hospital stay. You and
your caregiver can also learn more about your care team while
you are in the hospital.
MyHealth also enables you to have safe and private video visits
with your health care team once you leave the hospital.
Be sure to register both you and your caregiver for MyHealth
before your surgical procedure.
Page 6
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
WHAT TO EXPECT
You can download the MyHealth app from the app store on your
smartphone. Or you can go directly to the website to register.
Learn more at:
Enrolling in MyHealth
stanfordhealthcare.org/for-patients-visitors/myhealth.html
MYHEALTH (cont.)
Test results
Medications
Mobility and pain goals
Information on when you might leave the hospital
Caregiver access
MyHealth’s feature, “share access,” can be your family’s window into your progress during your
stay. When you grant share access to a caregiver, they will be able to see:
Learn more at: stanfordhealthcare.org/for-patients-visitors/myhealth/share-access.html
IMPORTANT MEDICAL DOCUMENTS
Since your family and caregivers cannot be with you during your hospital stay, it is important
to name who your care team should update about your care.
This form lists the person that you want your care team to talk to about your care and
treatment. It can be found in this guide, so be sure to bring it with you to your scheduled
surgical procedure.
Completed Caregiver Contact Form
This document spells out your preferences for medical care in case you cannot speak for
yourself. It also names your medical decision maker.
A medical decision maker can speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself. They can make
sure your doctors know about the care you want. Let your medical decision maker know you
chose them before your surgical procedure.
Advance Health Care Directive
Learn more at: med.stanford.edu/palliative-care/patientsandfamilies/ACP.html
Page 7
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
WHAT TO EXPECT
VIDEO VISITS
We understand how important it is for you to receive support from your loved ones
during your hospital stay. Video calls can also help you stay connected.
Make sure to bring your mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. If you do not
have one, you can ask for an iPad from Guest Services or your care team during
your hospital stay.
Talk over how you want to connect with friends and family during your stay.
If you want to make video calls, choose an app to use (like Zoom, FaceTime, or others).
Download it to your phone or laptop.
Need a little help? Visit our Stanford Health Library for guides on how to download Zoom,
Google Hangouts, Skype and FaceTime.
Learn more at : healthlibrary.stanford.edu/patient-info/video-calls.html
Do a few test video calls with friends and family at home, before you come to the hospital.
Bring device chargers and label them with your first and last name.
Before your surgical procedure, be sure to:
PLANNING FOR CARE AFTER YOU LEAVE THE HOSPITAL
Your care team will work with you
and your caregiver to plan your care
once you leave the hospital. This
may occur by phone or video call.
When to call the doctor
Medicines
Wound care
Activity
Nutrition
Follow-up appointments
Any special instructions
Your plan may include
instructions such as:
Your caregiver may need training for your
care at home. This could include tube
feeding, wound care, and giving you
medicines.
If so, they will be allowed to visit you in the
hospital for that training. Your caregiver will
be expected to follow all steps required to
prevent the spread of infection.
Be sure to review the visitor policy section
of this guide for details.
Caregiver training
Page 8
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
PATIENT DROP-OFF/CHECK-I N
TOPICS:
Patient drop-off
Patient screening
Pre-admission/
registration
PATIENT DROP-OFF
Health officials continue to update COVID-19 guidelines. As
that happens, we will adapt our policies.
Please visit our website for the latest updates:
stanfordhealthcare.org/visitorpolicy.
When you come to the hospital, you may be dropped
off, or family members may walk with you to the
entrance. No visitors will be allowed beyond this
point. (Our policy makes narrow exceptions for patients
who are children or have special needs.)
Contact Stanford Health Care’s Guest Services to get
current information on local services such as:
Food/Restaurants
Restrooms
Parking
Local Accommodations
Stanford staff is on hand to help patients who need
wheelchairs.
Visitors may park in the Stanford Health Care parking
lot. Please be aware that underground floors may have
poor phone service.
Guest Services
650-498-3333
Page 9
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
PATIENT DROP-OFF/CHECK-I N
PRE-ADMISSION/REGISTRATION
After you are screened you will go to pre-admission and registration.
You will be asked to confirm your caregiver's information. That lets your care team keep
your caregiver informed of your progress. You can use your completedCaregiver Contact
Form(found in this guide) to remind you of your contact information.
Remain in the waiting room until a pre-operation nurse gets you.
You will be given a “belongings bag” for all your personal items. Be sure to keep your
Caregiver Contact Form to show your care team.
Page 10
PATIENT SCREENING
You will be asked if you have any COVID-19 symptoms by a screener at the facility
entrance.
You will be given a procedure mask before entering the hospital.
The screener may confirm you are scheduledfor surgery. They may also confirm you’re
in the correct location.
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
S T A N F O R D R E S O U R C E S
T O P I C S :
Guest Services
Virtual Visitors
Stanford Health
Library
Stanford Caregiver
Center
Stanford Health
Resource Hub
You have many resources and services available to you
during your time at Stanford Health Care.We are here to
support you, keep you safe, and help you stay informed and
connected.
GUEST SERVICES
Our Guest Services team will help you navigate the hospital. We can also help
you connect with your loved ones. We’ll help them with deliveries and can
provide you with an iPad for video calls.
VIRTUAL VISITORS
Our Spiritual Care Service team is available to provide virtual companionship
through a phone call during your hospital stay. They can offer a listening ear,
conversation, or support.
Ask your care team for more details.
STANFORD HEALTH LIBRARY
Stanford Health Library provides information about COVID-19 and resources
about self-care and for caregivers. Our health librarians areready to help you and
your loved ones find information you can trust about your health and care.
Learn more at: healthlibrary.stanford.edu/selfcare.html
STANFORD CAREGIVER CENTER
Caregiving, especially after surgery, is hard work. Our Caregiver Center team
helps families navigate the healthcare system and coach them through the
caregiving process.
Learn more at: healthlibrary.stanford.edu/caregiver-center.html
Page 11
Call Guest Services at (650) 498-3333.
STANFORD HEALTH RESOURCE HUB
We offer an online database for you to search and connect with free and
reduced-cost health resources and services.
Learn more at: stanford.auntbertha.com
Stanford Health Care, Patient Experience. 12/2020, v.5
Y O U R C H E C K L I S T
Contact Guest Services to learn more about parking, restrooms, local food and
places to stay.
MYHEALTH
Register for MyHealth account
Download MyHealth on your smartphone
Share access to MyHealth with your caregivers
H A V I N G S U R G I C A L P R O C E D U R E S A T S T A N F O R D H E A L T H C A R E
STANFORD RESOURCES
STANFORD HEALTH CARE COVID-19 POLICIES
Review policies for visitors, patient masking, and testing
Get tested for COVID-19 and discuss your results with your care team
MEDICAL DOCUMENTS
If you have an Advance Care Directive, bring it with you or upload to MyHealth
Complete Caregiver Contact Form and bring it with you
MOBILE DEVICES
Download video meeting app to your phone or tablet
Test video calls with friends and family at home
Pack your phone or tablet chargers and label them with your first and last name.
Review list of what you can and cannot bring to the hospital
Explore Stanford resources and share with family and caregivers
Full Name:
Relationship to Patient:
Tel # Email:
C A R E G I V E R C O N T A C T F O R M
Use this form to identify one individual that you would like
your care team to communicate with about your care and
treatment.
I M P O R T A N T I N F O R M A T I O N
CAREGIVER INFORMATION
Preferred Name:
Interests and hobbies:
My personality:
WHAT I WANT MY CARE TEAM TO KNOW ABOUT ME:
Other: