Visitation Rights
Before a patient receives care, we’ll explain:
- Patient’s visitation rights
- Patient’s right to receive the visitors whom they designate, including, but not limited to: a spouse, a domestic partner (including a same-sex domestic partner), another family member, or a friend, without restrictions by the hospital on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability
- Patient’s right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time
- Justified clinical restrictions which may be imposed on a patient’s visitation rights
All visitors designated by the patient (or support person where appropriate) shall enjoy visitation privileges that are no more restrictive than those that immediate family members would enjoy.
Visitation Guidelines
Visiting hours are between 11 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Patients are allowed to receive two visitors at a time. An adult should accompany any visitor under age 12. However, exceptions may be made at the discretion of the charge nurse. Because visiting hours or the number of visitors may be restricted depending on the patient’s condition or type of patient care, ask us about area-specific visitation standards.
To keep patient rooms and treatment areas hygienic, don’t bring food into them unless you cannot leave the room because of the patient’s condition. This can be determined by the charge nurse.
A few other things to keep in mind:
- Visitors will not be allowed into the recovery area following a surgical procedure. The charge nurse can make exceptions to this in critical situations.
- Visitors in isolation are subject to isolation guidelines, and the patient’s nurse can provide those specifics.
- After-hours and overnight visitors are allowed at the discretion of the charge nurse. All visitors entering the building after visiting hours should enter through the Emergency Department and sign in on the visitor’s log. Overnight accommodations will be provided in the patient’s room for visitors and caregivers based on availability.
Critical Care Unit (CCU) Visitation Guidelines
The Critical Care Unit (CCU) adheres to all of the above visitor guidelines. Still, because of the extensive care required for these patients, the visiting hours are limited to the times below and only allowed for 15 minutes per hour. However, visitors are welcome to wait in the CCU waiting area until posted visiting hours. Here are the CCU visiting hours:
- 9 a.m.— 11:30 a.m.
- 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Visitor Conduct
Visitors not responding to requests or displaying inappropriate behavior will be referred to the appropriate nursing administrator or local police. Please follow these rules:
- Tobacco use is not permitted in the hospital or on the grounds.
- All weapons are forbidden in the hospital except for on-duty law enforcement personnel.
- No photography is allowed in patient care areas, including pictures taken by cellphone.
- Follow visiting hours and restrictions.
- Visitors should be free from recent exposure to infectious disease without fever or visible signs of illness. During times of infectious outbreaks in the community (examples: COVID-19, influenza, measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc.), the hospital has the right to restrict visitation.
- Dress appropriately. For example, shoes must be worn in the hospital at all times.
Visitation Restrictions
Don’t enter the patient care area when:
- The patient is undergoing care interventions
- There may be infection control issues
- Visitation may interfere with the care of other patients
Other areas where the restriction on visitation privileges would be appropriate:
- Existing court orders restricting contact of which the hospital is aware
- Disruptive, threatening or violent behavior of any kind
- Patient need for rest or privacy
- Limitations on the number of visitations for clinical reasons during a specific time
- Minimum age requirements for child visitors
- Patients placed on one-on-one observation for suicide precautions or awaiting commitment to a psychiatric facility
The nursing supervisor or charge nurse can modify these restrictions as needed.
All health care staff and employees are responsible for the enforcement of this policy. In addition, employees visiting patients are also subject to the information listed in this document.
File a Complaint
We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere for our visitors. If this does not happen, tell the charge nurse, nurse manager or supervisor.
If we can’t address your concern right away, you can formally issue a complaint by calling extension 1133 from a hospital phone or dialing 864-898-1133.