UPDATE! We have updated our masking policy. These changes go into effect Monday, April 3 for all hospitals and clinics in Spokane and Stevens counties.
Information about masking in our hospitals and clinics
Effective April 3 in Washington State, masking requirements for health care settings will expire. In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will end the COVID-19 federal public health emergency on May 11, 2023.
During this interim period in which the state requirement is lifted but we remain under a federal public health emergency, the following will be the masking protocol at:
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Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
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Providence Holy Family Hospital
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Providence Mount Carmel Hospital
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Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital
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Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center
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Providence Medical Group clinics
These changes will go into effect Monday, April 3. Guidance will be updated in May according to CDC recommendations.
Hospitals
Patients
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Masking is highly recommended when another person is in their room or is providing care, as well as when the patient is out of their room, such as in the hallway or when in a waiting area.
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Masking will be required if the patient is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory illness, or for 10 days after testing positive.
Visitors
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Hospitals: Masking is highly recommended for those entering a patient's room, during interactions with caregivers, and in waiting areas.
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We will continue passive symptom screening of visitors. Please remember, if you enter a hospital, you are attesting that you do not have COVID symptoms.
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Visitors exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory illness, or are within 10 days of testing positive for COVID 19 will not be allowed to enter the hospital.
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Providence Medical Group Clinics
Patients
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Masking will be recommended but no longer required, unless the patient is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory illness, or for 10 days after testing positive.
Visitors
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Masking will be recommended but no longer required, unless:
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The visitor is accompanying a patient who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory illness, suspect of COVID, symptomatic, or 10 days after testing positive.
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Asked to wear a mask by the patient.
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Note: We may re-institute universal masking if we see high levels of respiratory viruses circulating in the community (e.g., influenza, RSV, COVID).
While the risks associated with COVID-19 may continue to recede, we must be mindful of other infectious diseases circulating in the community and the need to protect our vulnerable populations to the degree possible.
Information about COVID-19 Vaccines
The vaccine is one of the very best ways to help protect yourself.
Those who are eligible can use Vaccine Locator you learn more:
to find the vaccination distribution sites closest to you. If you have further questions or need more help making an appointment, you can call the state's COVID-19 information hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press #.
If you have questions about the vaccine, below you will find some educational resources to help
- Vaccine FAQ
- Coronavirus.providence.org
- FDA COVID-19 vaccine information
- CDC COVID-19 vaccine information
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine FAQ
- Moderna COVID-19 vaccine FAQ
Non-Emergency Procedures/Surgeries
Updated Thursday, February 17, 2022
Governor Jay Inslee's announcement for his emergency order to temporarily restrict non-urgent surgeries and procedures was lifted on Thursday, Feb. 17. We are taking steps to increase non-emergency surgeries and are resuming scheduling patients for surgeries and procedures in our ministries, including the Doctor’s Building at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.
If You Need to See a Doctor
Our primary care and specialty providers are available through live video to provide a diagnosis, treatment plan and, if needed, a prescription, while ensuring you receive the same excellent care you're accustomed to with your medical group provider. Telephone consultations and safe, in-person visits may also be available, based on physician guidelines. Learn more about how you can access safe care.
If You Are Experiencing Coronavirus Symptoms
If you think you have COVID-19, we encourage you to begin with our online coronavirus assessment tool. We developed a “chat” tool to help you assess your risk and connect you with a provider through ExpressCare Virtual if you are at a higher risk for the virus. We also have a number of COVID-19 testing centers, which can be located on this map.
Urgent Care and ExpressCare Locations
Patients who need urgent care — regardless of their symptoms — can visit any of our Providence Urgent Care locations. And, minimize your in-clinic wait time by reserving your spot online.
- Providence Medical Park – Spokane Valley, 16528 E. Desmet Ct., Spokane Valley
- Providence Urgent Care – 5th & Division, 421 S. Division St., Spokane
- Providence Urgent Care – Hawthorne, 551 E. Hawthorne Rd., Spokane
Visitor Restrictions at Our Hospitals and Clinics
We restricted visitor access in our hospitals and Providence Medical Group clinics in Spokane and Stevens counties in January to protect our patients and caregivers during the latest COVID-19 surge. We have updated our visitor policy due to reduced COVID cases in the region.
UPDATED Sept. 16, 2022 - We have updated our inpatient visitor policy below due to reduced COVID transmission rates in the region. The following changes will go into effect Monday, Sept. 12 at all hospitals in Spokane and Stevens counties.
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Visiting hours restricted to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital, Mount Carmel Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Providence St. Luke's Rehabilitation Medical Center, with exceptions to our Pediatric, NICU, and Labor and Delivery which do not have restricted hours.
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Access Control and units will continue to screen all visitors and outpatients.
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UPDATED Oct. 10, 2022 - Inpatients who are not in isolation precautions (COVID, tuberculosis, etc.) may have two visitors at a time in the hospital. Please note, additional visitors for the inpatient will not be allowed in the hospital until the current visitors have exited the hospital.
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Inpatients who are in isolation precautions (COVID, tuberculosis, etc.) in hospitals and medical centers may have one visitor per day, who must wear full PPE provided by the hospital.
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All exceptions must be granted by a nursing director or administrator on call.
ALL visitors, advocates, parents and visitors who meet the above criteria must also comply with the following instructions:
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All visitors must pass a health screen.
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No visitors may be under 18 years of age.
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Visitors must follow staff instructions regarding masking, hand washing and use of personal protective equipment.
General exceptions to the above hospital visitor policy include the following:
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Patients who are at end of life.
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Patients who require language interpretation unable to be met by the tele-translator.
Clergy Members
Providence recognizes members of the clergy as part of the care team and are allowed to visit with patients at any time; including outside regular visitation hours. A clergy should not count as a patient’s daily visitor. Clergy members are required to be COVID screened when they enter.
Unit-specific guidelines:
Children’s Hospital admissions and pediatric patients
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Infant and children inpatients (under the age of 18) may have 2 adult visitors, one which must wear a wrist band.
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Labor and Delivery Patients
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All non-COVID laboring inpatients may have 1 support person and 1 visitor during labor and birth process.
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COVID positive or unknown laboring patients may have 1 support person during labor. (No visitor)
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A certified doula is considered part of treatment team, however the doula must leave two hours after delivery.
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After patient delivers and is stable, they may have up to one child visit at a time with a banded individual. Additional siblings may exchange out for a one time visit as well.
OB patients
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All other non-COVID OB patients may have 2 visitors who are banded and two visitors at a time, one which is banded.
Emergency Department
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Emergency Department patients may have two visitors for non-isolation patients
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For isolation patients, patients may have one visitor at a time in full PPE
Outpatient Clinics
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Clinic, laboratory, or radiology patients who have appointments at the hospital or clinics, may have two people escorting an adult patient.
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Families may bring their infant or other children with them to their appointment or that of their child
Surgical/Procedural Areas
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Surgical or procedural patients who are arriving to the hospital may have two support/escort people.
Please note: This guidance cannot anticipate every situation. The hospital administrative supervisor and/or administrator on call may make exceptions to it based on the realities of a given situation, using their best judgment to protect patients and caregivers, acting out of compassion for those involved.
Entry into Our Facilities
Visitors will be screened at the main entrances prior to entering. Anyone who exhibits cold or flu-like symptoms or has a fever will be asked to return home. Additionally, as a safety precaution and to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19, we are consolidating entrance points at some of our hospitals.
Open entrances at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital:
- The main entrance is open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- The Children’s Hospital garage (Star elevators) is open Monday - Friday, 5 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- L2 valet is open 5 a.m.- 8 p.m.
- Emergency department entrance is open 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. and is the ONLY hospital entrance open after hours.
Open entrances at Providence Holy Family Hospital:
- The south entrance is open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- The north entrance/Inland Imaging entrance is open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Use the emergency department entrance when the south and north entrance are closed.
Open entrances at Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center:
- One entrance is available at the main entrance of the Medical Office Building & Hospital at 715 S. Cowley. Doors will be open 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekends.
Open Entrances at Providence Mount Carmel Hospital:
- All caregivers and patients should use the main entrance between the hours of 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Use the emergency department entrance during the hours of 7 p.m. - 7 a.m.
Open Entrances at Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital:
- The main and emergency department entrances are open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Access will be granted through the emergency department from 7 p.m. – 6 a.m.
Stevens County Clinics
Providence Northeast Washington Medical Group is doing everything possible to maintain a safe environment at their clinics in Colville, Chewelah and Kettle Falls. All patients are being screened upon arrival to minimize possible coronavirus exposure to patients and caregivers. Patients who do not have acute respiratory symptoms should feel safe to come in for their regular appointments.
Patients who do have acute respiratory symptoms should call (509) 684-3701
to be directed to the proper location for further evaluation and treatment.
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