Safely Caring for You

Mask Policy

Our masking procedures and requirements have been updated per CDC recommendations in all facilities to further prevent COVID-19 transmission from those who may be infected, whether or not they are showing symptoms. These policies reflect the latest information and the current status of supplies available.

• Everyone entering a Riley Children’s Health or IU Health facility, both inpatient and outpatient, will be required to wear a medical-grade surgical or isolation mask. This includes visitors, patients and team members. Masks are available at public entrances from guest relations.
• All patients should wear a mask while in our facilities except when in their room.
• All new patients and visitors will continue to be screened for symptoms when entering our facilities, and will be provided a mask to wear. If symptomatic and a parent/guardian of a pediatric patient, the parent/guardian may be masked and continue to their destination, or asked to reschedule their visit, depending upon the urgency of the appointment and patient care required.
• Please remember, children younger than 2 should NOT be masked. Learn more from Pediatric Hospitalist Dr. Emily Scott on alternative options.
• Homemade cloth masks are no longer allowed.

Visiting Guidelines

Hospital Visitor Restrictions

Visitor guidelines are updated to welcome one visitor per patient if the patient is COVID-19 negative. Visitation remains restricted for patients with (or suspected of having) COVID-19.

One parent or guardian may be present and stay in the patient’s room. Parents and guardians must:

• Follow all COVID-19 protocols while on site (screen negative, mask at all times, practice hand hygiene, maintain social distance).
• Remain in the facility for the duration of the visit, with no in-and-out privileges; they may swap with another parent/guardian each 24 hours.

Exceptions will be considered in the following areas where a patient may receive two consistent designated visitors:

• Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
• End of life situations and certain major care plan changes
• Inpatients with longer-term stays (one visitor at a time of the two designated with switch outs every 24 hours outside the hospital)
• Educational situations for a parent/guardian to learn how to care for their child

Additionally:

• Patients may not go off their units except for testing.
• Visits to the Child Life Zone at our main campus downtown have been stopped until further notice; child life activities are performed at bedside or virtually

Riley Outpatient Center Appointments

One parent/guardian may accompany a patient, but please no other children, including siblings. Please remember, besides in-person visits, we continue to offer Virtual Visits or visits by telephone based on your child’s needs. Call your provider’s office to schedule. Here is what you can expect at your child’s in-office appointment for your safety:

• We will screen all visitors for COVID-19 at the entrance.
• All visitors must follow all COVID-19 protocols while on site (screen negative, mask at all times, practice hand hygiene, maintain social distance).
  
• If the parent/guardian does not pass the screening, another parent/guardian can be screened, or the appointment will be rescheduled.
• If the parent/guardian accompanying the patient is symptomatic, please call the clinic in advance to determine if the appointment needs rescheduled.
• All office staff and providers will be wearing a mask.
• All patients and visitors age 2 and older will be required to wear a mask, which we will provide.
• We follow strict procedures for cleaning surfaces between each patient visit.
• We have spaced out waiting areas to enable social distancing and set up new ways to limit your time spent in waiting areas.

Physician office appointments

Only one parent/guardian, and no siblings, should accompany a child to their appointment to minimize the amount of people in our offices. An exception is pediatric primary care appointments for newborns in Riley primary care offices in Indianapolis, which are allowed two parents at each appointment. Special circumstances should be discussed with your child’s care team prior to arrival.

The above restrictions apply at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, Riley at IU Health North and Riley Maternity & Newborn Health at IU Health Methodist Hospital.

Getting the Care Your Child Needs, Safely

Primary & Specialty Care

While many of our primary and specialty care locations closed for in-person appointments during the initial COVID-19 crisis, we continued to care for patients in need of emergency care and well-child vaccines.

Our primary care offices have started to open more broadly for in-person appointments, including well-child visits for all ages. It’s important to continue with your child’s vaccine schedule to ensure they do not get off track. If your child does not need vaccines, virtual visits remain a great appointment option.

We have begun re-opening our specialty care offices to a small number of non-emergency patients as well. If your child has a specialty care appointment, their doctor will determine the right care setting. This may include either a virtual visit, in-person visit at locations on our main campus or at one of our outreach locations. If your child needs to have tests completed before their appointment, IU Health radiology and blood-draw (Pathology) labs are open.

Scheduled Procedures & Surgeries

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to make the difficult decision to limit non-emergency procedures and surgeries, and to reschedule or transition most in-person appointments. We’re now working hard to get to our “next normal” in a safe environment for our patients, families and team members.

If your child had a procedure or surgery postponed due to COVID-19 and their doctor has decided your child may now safely have the procedure/surgery, you will be contacted by your doctor’s office to reschedule. There are many appointments to be rescheduled, so please don’t worry if you don’t hear from us right away. We appreciate your patience and will be calling soon.

If your child has an upcoming surgery scheduled, rest assured we are taking all necessary precautions and safety measures that are listed in the Riley Safe Care Pledge. We may also test a limited number of patients for COVID-19, depending on the type of surgery/procedure they will have.

Virtual Visits

Virtual visits remain an option for patients to access primary and specialty care from the comfort of their own homes. For each appointment, our team will work with you to determine the best way for your child to safely access care. If you would like to schedule a virtual visit for specialty care, please consult your child's primary care provider for a referral or use our provider directory to find a doctor and their office number to call today.