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For Your Visitors

Visitor Guidelines

Our patients’ families and visitors play important roles in ensuring the health and well-being of our patients.

We believe that our patients determine the level of family participation in their care that will be most therapeutic.

We acknowledge that partnering with patients and families in planning, evaluation, and care delivery improves care and best practices that are shaped by patients, families and professionals working together.

We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and healing environment that is guided by patient and family-identified needs.

We recognize that each family is a culture unto itself with different values and unique ways of functioning and that “family” is defined by the patient as the group of significant people that normally provide physical, psychological, or emotional support.

You (or your representative, where appropriate) have the right to be informed of your visitation rights, including any clinical restriction or limitation on such rights.

To receive the visitors whom you designate, including, but not limited to, a spouse, a domestic partner (including a same-sex domestic partner), another family member, or a friend, and your right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time.

The hospital shall not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

The hospital shall ensure that all visitors designated by you (or your representative, where appropriate) enjoy visitation privileges that are no more restrictive than those that immediate family members would enjoy.

The following guidelines are structured to facilitate patient and family-centered visitation throughout the patient’s stay. Unique and extenuating circumstances, however, may allow exceptions.

All visitors including children must be free of signs and symptoms of illness such as coughs, runny noses or fevers and also including a history of recent exposure to infectious diseases such as colds, flu and chickenpox. Visitors may be screened by hospital staff for potential infection in order to visit patients.

Children with coughs, runny noses, fevers, or a recent exposure to a childhood disease such as measles or chickenpox should not visit.

Some patients require special precautions because they have an infectious disease. Please read any isolation signs posted on the door or ask the nurse about special precautions you should take.

In order to prevent the spread of infection we ask that you wash your hands prior to visiting our patients. You may also use alcohol based gel if your hands are not visibly soiled.

Family and significant others may visit our patients at any time during the patient’s stay with patient’s permission and the nurse’s discretion.

Children under the age of 14 are allowed to visit only when accompanied by a responsible supervising adult and at the discretion of the nursing staff. Visiting children, under the age of 14 must be supervised by a responsible adult, other than the patient, at all times.

We respect the wishes of each patient in regards to the selection of visitors.

Please designate one member of your family as a spokesperson for other members to communicate with, as well as act as liaison for communication with our health care team.

It may be necessary to limit the number of family members and/or guests in a semi-private room to respect the needs of both patients.

Our staff will discuss with the patient and family the need for healthcare providers to have direct access to the patient at all times in order to provide care and ensure patient safety.

There may be special circumstances when our staff may request families/visitors to leave the patient’s bedside for a limited time. We will explain the reason for the request, when guests may return, and where they may wait.

To facilitate a restful, healing environment, patient visitors are generally limited to two (2) at a time; but may be altered based on patient condition treatment needs, patient request, space, safety and/or traffic limitations, impact on other patients, or nurse’s professional judgment.

Visitors may not smoke while anywhere inside the hospital. Smokers may only smoke outside the hospital in designated smoking areas.

Visitors are asked to check with nursing staff prior to bringing food or drink to patients.

Absolutely no medications of any kind may be provided to patients by visitors.

We ask that visitors dress in appropriate clothing and wear shoes. Visitors with heavy perfume and fragrance may be asked to wash off the fragrance.

Acts of threats of violence, intimidation, vandalism, or verbal abuse and individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not allowed under any circumstances. Anyone engaging in these behaviors will be told to leave.

Children Visiting:
- All children under age 14 must be constantly attended by a responsible supervising adult including waiting rooms, cafeteria and public areas.
- Children may be asked to leave if their behavior disrupts the restful, healing environment.
- Children may not generally visit patients who are in isolation. Exceptions may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
Waiting Rooms are provided for short-term temporary use by patient families and visitors. Visitors may be asked to leave if they are loud or disruptive to the environment required in the hospital. If overnight accommodations are required, local hotels and motels are available. Please contact the patient’s nurse or social worker for additional information.

Parking

Visitor parking is available in several locations, including directly in front of the hospital in the visitor section and in the lots to the north and south of the hospital. Handicapped parking is available in front of the three main entrances. Please avoid using spaces designed for outpatient services, emergency vehicles and physician parking.
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Cafeteria

Visitors are welcome to use the cafeteria services during hours of operation. Vending machines are available inside for after-hours beverages, frozen meals, and snacks.
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Guest Trays

Visitors are usually welcome to dine with hospital patients. Occasionally, safety concerns may require visitors to eat outside the patient rooms. Please check with the nurse before ordering a guest tray. Guest trays may be ordered and purchased at the Nutrition Services Department. Guest tray orders must be placed according to the following schedule—

BREAKFAST - Evening before or no later than 6:00 a.m.
LUNCH - No later than 11:00 a.m.
DINNER - No later than 3:30 p.m.
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Waiting Areas

Waiting areas for visitors are located throughout the hospital. Please ask your nurse to direct your visitors to the waiting area closest to your room.
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Bus Service

Bus service is available to and from the hospital. Bus schedules can be obtained in the information racks located in the main lobby. The bus stop is located in the hospital parking lot, near Chanate Road.
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