Intermountain Healthcare Updates Clergy Visitation Guidelines for Intermountain Hospitals

Effective immediately, every patient hospitalized at an Intermountain facility is able to have clergy as a designated visitor.

“We recognize and value the importance of spiritual care for patients who desire this support. For hospital patients, a clergy or spiritual advisor visitor can be present in keeping with the two-designated visitors-per-patient guidelines,” said Amy Christensen, MSN, RN, vice president and CNO for specialty-based care at Intermountain Healthcare.

To support social distancing and infection prevention, Intermountain hospital facilities continue to allow a maximum of two visitors per patient at any given time. Clergy may need to switch places with one of the other designated visitors. Current Intermountain visitor guidelines can be found here.

Whether the designated clergy is a member of the community or Intermountain-employed, clergy – like any visitors – are welcome as long as they have not recently been exposed to COVID-19. They also must follow hospital safety and sanitation guidelines including handwashing before and after their visit, wear a mask, and use any other appropriate personal protective equipment (with the help and guidance of Intermountain caregivers) at all times during their visit(s).

“If clergy do not feel comfortable entering facilities due to personal safety reasons, Intermountain caregivers will assist patients in finding alternate solutions including use of hospital-employed clergy or other clergy in the community, or conducting virtual visits with the clergy of the patient’s choice,” said Christensen.

Intermountain chaplains are available via phone and tele-visit. To request chaplain services, at hospitals that don’t have in-person chaplains, call 801-357-8781 and leave a detailed message stating your facility, referring caregiver name and phone number, patient’s last name and room number (if applicable), and whether contact is desired via phone or tele-health. Services are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After hours calls will be returned by the next business day. Chaplains remain available in person at these sites: Primary Children’s, Utah Valley, St. George Regional, and McKay-Dee hospitals. Contact a hospital caregiver or the individual hospital for more information.

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