Shriners Hospitals for Children — Honolulu COVID-19 Update

Policies and Procedures to Expect at the Hospital

The health and safety of our patients, families and staff are our highest priorities at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Honolulu.

In response to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i and the “Act With Care – Do Not Gather” Order issued by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Aug. 6, 2020, the following policy updates have been made at the Honolulu Shriners Hospital.

Visitor Policy

Beginning Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, only one healthy parent or caregiver may accompany patients to their clinic appointments. In the event of a scheduled surgery, two designated visitors may accompany the patient on the day of surgery. Surgical visitors must be designated prior to the appointment and cannot be changed.

Siblings or other family members are not able to attend at this time. We recommend parents make childcare arrangements for siblings in advance of their child's visit.

Additionally, all hospital tours are suspended until further notice.

Wellness Screenings

All patients, family members, first responders and staff members must receive a health screening upon arrival at the hospital. Entry is limited to the first floor lobby. Upon arrival, a temperature check will be taken, and a brief questionnaire will be conducted to check for:

• Fever.
• COVID-19 symptoms.
• Epidemiologic risks.

As a reminder, Shriners Hospitals for Children — Honolulu does not treat COVID-19. If your child is experiencing possible coronavirus symptoms, please contact your pediatrician for instructions.

Masking and Social Distancing

Universal masking at our hospital remains mandatory for all staff, patients and family members, regardless of symptoms. Masks must be worn at all times when inside and outside the hospital (including the administration building and plant facilities) and when interacting with others.

Exceptions may be made for infants and toddlers, as tolerated. If anyone arrives without a mask, one will be provided.

As an added safety measure, all staff who interact directly with patients are required to wear a medical mask and eye protection.

Everyone is asked to continue practicing social distancing of at least 6 feet as the situation allows. Hand-washing and hand hygiene is highly encouraged. Hand sanitizing stations are readily available throughout the hospital.

Fast Track Video Visits

Our hospital remains open to serve keiki. However, we realize that parents may be hesitant to bring their children to an appointment, especially those who require travel from the neighbor islands.

As an option, we offer Fast Track Video Visits (FTVV), which have allowed many children and their families the ability to see their doctor from the comfort of their own home.

Also known as telehealth, FTVV may be used to conduct follow-up visits and discuss treatment plans for both established and new patients. While not a replacement for all in-person visits, FTVV are an extension of our care and help improve personal and community safety by decreasing potential risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

Additional updates:

• The Honolulu Shriners Hospital cafeteria remains open only to hospital visitors and staff for sit-down service. Face masks are required but may be taken off while eating. Up to two (2) people may dine together per table in both the indoor and outdoor seating areas. All cafeteria items will continue to be pre-prepared and individually wrapped for safety and convenience.
• The hospital continues to offer all services, including our walk-in injury clinic, to help alleviate non-emergency care at other health care systems in the state.
• Satellite clinic visits to the neighbor islands will continue as planned. However, all outreach clinics to the Pacific Basin have been canceled at this time.
• We are not accepting in-kind gifts through Aug. 31, 2020, at which point we will re-evaluate our position to determine the best and safest course of action.
• All Honolulu Shriners Hospital workplace personnel must pass a wellness screening before reporting to work. Strict policies require workforce members stay home if they are ill.
• Wellness screens will be performed for all Family Center families in their living quarters daily. Family Center families will be identifiable by a red wristband.
• If parents or caregivers exhibit any symptoms, they will kindly be asked to leave and reschedule for when they are well. Practicing an abundance of caution, we are asking for all ill patients, parents and caregivers to stay away from our facility until they are symptom-free and have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medication to treat a fever. Appointments may be rescheduled 14 days following the cessation of symptoms.

Our hospital’s COVID-19 task force continues to work closely with public health and emergency preparedness officials to ensure that our hospital has the most up-to-date information and the most comprehensive, proactive plan in place to help keep our hospital safe and do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

As this is a fluid situation, we are continually monitoring our processes. For this reason, policies and procedures are likely to change.

If you have an upcoming appointment and would like to discuss any symptoms you or your child may be experiencing, or have any other questions regarding your child’s appointment, please call 808-941-4466.

Mahalo for your patience and cooperation.