Updated Visitor Screening

Due to the increased number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms, we are implementing enhanced visitor screening measures. Visitors will be screened for the following symptoms:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Recent contact with someone diagnosed with the flu or any respiratory illness within the past 48 hours

Visitors presenting with these symptoms will not be admitted.

General Children’s Hospital Visitation Guidelines

  • Parents/guardians or a designee and grandparents may visit at any time.
  • All other visitors may visit a patient during the hours of 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. All visitors should check in at the Grand Hallway. 
  • Each time you come to the unit, you will need to check with the unit secretary.
  • You will be asked to wash your hands before each visit and entry in and out of the room.
  • Anyone with symptoms of a cold, flu, or open sores should not visit on the unit. 
  • Visitors may be asked to leave during procedures in the room and will be allowed to return once the patient is stable enough for visitation. 
  • No soliciting allowed. 
  • Donations of gifts and toys may only be done with clearance from Child Life Services.

All visitation will be at the discretion of clinical staff and may be modified depending on the status of the individual patient and the patients nearby. There will be an escalation when visitors pose a threat to patient or staff safety.

Additional restrictions apply in the following procedural/high-risk areas:

Unit 2700/2800 OP/PACU and Observation Visiting Guidelines

  • Only 2 (two) visitors are allowed at the bedside at one time.
  • Visitors must be over the age of 14.

Unit 3700 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Visiting Guidelines

  • Entry onto the unit is limited between 6:30-7:30 a.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m., due to shift change.
  • Only 2 (two) individuals may be at a baby’s bedside at a time (one of which must be a banded parent). Single parents may choose one consistent, banded support person who may be at the bedside at any time.
  • Children over 14 may visit with a baby’s parent, and younger children may make arrangements with Child Life Specialists to visit the NICU by appointment.
  • Parents and visitors will present identification upon request (band numbers and letters, driver's license).
  • Sibling visitors under the age of 14 will have to meet criteria to visit, which may include verification of immunization records. 

Unit 4800 Pediatric Oncology / Hematology Visiting Guidelines

  • Each patient may have up to 6 (six) designated visitors (parents/guardians, grandparents) per admission. The designated visitor process will be explained to families on admission.
  • Each patient may have no more than 4 (four) visitors at the bedside at any time.
  • Severely immunosuppressed patients and those undergoing transplant or cellular therapy may have further/limited restrictions than mentioned above.
  • Sibling visitors under the age of 14 will have to meet criteria to visit, which may include verification of immunization records. 

General Maternity Services Visitation Guidelines

  • Patients in Labor and Delivery are allowed 1 (one) adult support person and 2 (two) adult visitors at a time but may be limited by the nurse/physician.  
  • Patients in Antepartum and Postpartum are allowed 1 (one) adult support person and 2 (two) adult visitors at a time during day time and 1 (one) overnight between the hours of 9 p.m. - 8 a.m.
  • Children under the age of 14 are allowed to visit Antepartum and Postpartum between the hours of 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., are not allowed overnight sleeping, and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.