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CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System reinstated its open visitor policy last week while following more stringent guidelines to ensure patients, associates and medical staff minimized exposure risks and maintained safe environments of care.

Patients are allowed one visitor, per patient, per day to accompany them while in a CHRISTUS Southeast Texas facility.

This could include surgical or procedural patients, those coming for lab work or imaging needs such as CT’s, MRI’s or X-rays, emergency visits or other health care needs.

CHRISTUS is encouraging patients and visitors to be informed and prepared by recognizing the additional precautions they are taking to keep the community safe.

“Those seeking care at CHRISTUS should plan to arrive for visits in enough time to be screened prior to entering, bring and wear your own personal face mask, and practice appropriate social distancing while in our facilities, especially waiting rooms and lobbies,” said Ryan Miller, chief operating officer at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas.

“It’s vital that we continue to practice these extra safety measures above and beyond the already strict safety regulations we exercise each and every day.”

Hospital officials said Catholic healthcare organizations, like CHRISTUS, exist to embody the concern that Jesus showed for the sick. He commissions those who follow His example of performing healing acts to go and do likewise.

Officials said nurses often observe that patients with visitors are more likely to have better spirits, leading to a smoother path to recovery.

“Our visitor policy seeks to support this need.  We consider the love and attention of visitors to be part of the holistic healing process,” said Dan Ford, vice president of mission for CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System.

Miller said as CHRISTUS restores visitation for its patients, the community can take confidence in knowing the dedication to safety, health and wellness remains a top priority.

“As we transition back to welcoming our visitors we do so with a carefully planned mission based approach,” Miller said.