Logan Reid
Visiting hours and guidelines vary across hospitals. While some hospitals have set visiting hours, others allow visitors at any time of day. The number of visitors allowed also differs across hospitals, with some allowing only one visitor per patient, while others permit up to four. Some hospitals also have different visiting hour guidelines for specific units, such as behavioral health, eating disorders, and intensive care. Additionally, hospitals may have varying rules for visitors of patients in exceptional circumstances, such as end-of-life care, childbirth, and patients with disabilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of visitors | Most hospitals allow 2 visitors per patient, with some allowing more in specific cases, such as end-of-life patients. |
| Visiting hours | Visiting hours vary, but generally range from 8 am to 8 pm. Some hospitals have more restricted hours, such as 6 pm to 8 pm for behavioral health visitation. |
| Visitor restrictions | Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and may need pre-approval. Visitors may be asked to wait during exams/treatments to ensure patient confidentiality. |
| Special accommodations | Hospitals make special accommodations for end-of-life patients, COVID-19 patients, and patients in the emergency department. |
| Visitor behavior | Visitors are expected to be respectful and quiet. Hospitals may remove disruptive visitors. |
| Visitation flexibility | Some hospitals may make exceptions to visiting hours and allow visitors before or after official times. |
| Patient preferences | Patients have the right to designate their visitors and can withdraw or deny consent at any time. |
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What You'll Learn
Visiting hours vary across hospitals
The number of visitors permitted also varies between hospitals and departments. While most hospitals generally allow up to two visitors per patient, this number can be lower or higher depending on the specific circumstances. For instance, at RWJ University Hospital Somerset, pediatric patients may have two visitors, while adult patients in the Emergency Department are limited to one visitor at a time. Additionally, hospitals may have different policies regarding the ages of visitors. Some hospitals require all visitors to be at least 18 years old, while others, like Mount Sinai New York, allow younger visitors as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Furthermore, visiting hours and policies can be flexible and may be adjusted based on the patient's needs and the clinical situation. For instance, at NYC Health + Hospitals, the emergency department maintains flexible visiting hours, and visitors may be asked to wait during exams or treatments to ensure patient care and confidentiality. Similarly, at Mount Sinai New York, exceptions to visitation policies may be granted for end-of-life situations, patients with developmental disabilities, labor and delivery, and pediatrics.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also influenced visiting hours and guidelines. For instance, Valley Health System implemented special considerations for COVID-19 patients, limiting visitation to two visitors for one hour per day, with visitors required to wear full PPE and adhere to hand hygiene protocols. These varying visiting hours and guidelines across hospitals aim to balance the needs of patients for social support and connection with the priority for patient care, safety, and confidentiality.
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Number of visitors allowed at the same time
The number of visitors allowed to see a patient at the same time varies across hospitals. While some hospitals allow only two visitors per patient at a time, others allow more than four visitors at a time. For instance, Valley Health System allows two visitors for COVID-19 patients and exposed patients, while NYC Health + Hospitals allows more than two visitors at a time for patients with intellectual/developmental disabilities or dementia.
In the case of end-of-life patients, special accommodations are usually made to allow family members to be with their loved ones. For instance, Valley Health System makes special accommodations for end-of-life patients, and NYC Health + Hospitals allow up to two support people to remain with imminently end-of-life patients.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, most healthcare organizations implemented policies to restrict visitor access to reduce the risk of infection. For example, Texas Health Resources provided acute care in hospitals and trauma centers. However, restrictive visitor policies have been associated with a higher frequency of delirium and anxiety in patients, and separation from the patient can be a risk factor for poor bereavement outcomes.
Some hospitals have specific guidelines for different units. For instance, Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic allows only one visitor if the patient is in a closed space in the ED, while patients in the Same Day Surgery unit may have up to one visitor.
In general, most hospitals allow at least two visitors per patient at a time, but this may vary depending on the hospital, the unit, and the patient's condition.
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Age restrictions for visitors
Visiting hours and age restrictions for hospital visitors vary across different hospitals.
University of Michigan Health
University of Michigan Health allows one family member or visitor for adult psychiatric emergency services. For pediatric patients under 18 years old, one visitor is allowed. Visitors waiting elsewhere in the hospital can be given a pager so that they can be called back to the psychiatric emergency services area when needed. Outpatient infusions allow one family member or visitor aged 14 or older. All visiting children must remain under the supervision of an adult other than the patient and the healthcare team.
UMass Memorial Health
UMass Memorial Health allows visitors under the age of 18 to visit under specific circumstances. Visitors under 14 require prior approval from the Nurse Manager if the patient is in the ICU. Children under 18 may visit when accompanied by an adult.
UNC Hospitals, UNC Health Rex, and UNC Health Chatham
UNC Hospitals, UNC Health Rex, and UNC Health Chatham implemented temporary age-based visitor restrictions due to high hospital admissions for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. Visitors aged 11 and younger were prohibited from inpatient areas and waiting rooms. These restrictions were lifted on March 25, 2024, as hospital admissions decreased.
Valley Health System
Valley Health System allows two visitors for a pediatric patient at the bedside. Minors under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult and will be counted as a visitor. For COVID-19 patients, visitation is limited to those 18 years old and above. Siblings of newborns under 18 may visit daily during visiting hours. All other visitors on the Postpartum unit must be age 18 or older.
Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic
Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic requires visitors to be 13 years or older unless an exception is granted by a hospital administrator.
NYC Health + Hospitals
At NYC Health + Hospitals, children under 18 require pre-approval and an accompanying adult for behavioral health visitation. Adolescent visitors must be approved by the patient's legal guardian.
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Special cases: end-of-life patients, COVID-19 patients, behavioral health
Visiting hours and guidelines vary across hospitals, and special cases, such as end-of-life patients, COVID-19 patients, and behavioral health patients, may have unique considerations. Here is some information regarding these special cases:
End-of-life patients
For end-of-life patients, hospitals often allow special arrangements for visiting hours and the number of visitors. Up to two support people may be allowed to remain with end-of-life patients. It is common for patients to withdraw socially as their condition worsens, and caregivers should respect their privacy and provide a gentle and unobtrusive presence. Caregivers can offer comfort by talking softly, holding the patient's hand, or providing their favorite foods in small amounts, as patients' interest in eating and drinking decreases.
As death approaches, patients may experience restlessness, agitation, and mental confusion due to metabolic changes and the loss of autonomy. They may also lose urinary and bowel control, impacting their dignity and comfort. Caregivers should maintain proper hygiene and regularly change soiled clothes and sheets. Additionally, vision and hearing may decline, and it is recommended to keep the room dim and avoid sudden noises to prevent discomfort and disorientation.
COVID-19 patients
Hospitals have implemented various measures to address the challenges of visitation for COVID-19 patients while ensuring patient care and confidentiality. Visitors may be asked to wait during exams and treatments. The specific guidelines may vary based on the hospital and the patient's condition.
Behavioral health patients
Behavioral health units often have specific visitation guidelines. For example, at NYC Health + Hospitals, behavioral health visitation is allowed unless clinically restricted by a physician. Visiting hours are typically from 6 pm to 8 pm daily, and children under 18 require pre-approval and must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors may need to obtain a visitor sticker and store their belongings at a designated location. Patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities or dementia may designate at least one permanent support person and have additional visitors during specified hours.
Overall, hospitals aim to provide culturally sensitive care and accommodate the needs of patients and their loved ones, especially in special cases, by offering flexible visitation protocols and support during challenging times.
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Visitation exceptions
Each hospital has its own set of rules and regulations regarding visitation, and while some hospitals have standard visiting hours, there are exceptions. Here are some common exceptions to standard visitation policies:
- End-of-life patients: Hospitals often make special accommodations for patients who are nearing the end of their lives. This may include allowing additional visitors, extended visiting hours, or waiving certain age restrictions for visitors.
- COVID-19 patients: Due to the infectious nature of COVID-19, visitation for these patients is typically restricted and requires special approval. Visitors must adhere to specific guidelines, such as wearing full PPE and following hand hygiene protocols.
- Behavioural health patients: Visitation for patients in behavioural health units may be restricted or allowed only during specific hours. In some cases, children under 18 may require pre-approval and must be accompanied by an adult.
- Maternity and postpartum patients: New mothers in labour, delivery, and postpartum recovery may be allowed to have a designated support person or multiple support persons stay with them throughout their hospital stay. Visitation policies for siblings of newborns may also vary.
- Pediatric patients: Visitation policies for minors may vary across hospitals. Some hospitals require children under 18 to be accompanied by an adult, while others set age limits for visitors. Certain hospitals may also require visitors to obtain stickers or provide supervision for visits.
- Emergency department patients: Visiting hours in emergency departments are often flexible and based on clinical situations. Visitors may be asked to wait during exams or treatments to ensure patient confidentiality and efficient care.
- Infectious disease patients: Hospitals may implement additional visitation precautions for patients with highly communicable diseases, as advised by infection prevention experts.
- Compassionate care: In certain circumstances, such as end-of-life situations, grief, or patients requiring encouragement with eating or drinking, hospitals may allow compassionate care visitors.
- Age restrictions: Most hospitals have age restrictions for visitors, commonly allowing only those aged 12 or above. However, exceptions can sometimes be made by hospital administrators or nursing supervisors, especially in specific units like the TCU.
- Patient needs and unit activities: In some cases, the individual unit Charge Nurse and Nursing Supervisor may have the authority to determine the number of visitors and the length of visitation based on the patient's needs and the unit's activities.
- Illness restrictions: Some hospitals may restrict visitation for visitors exhibiting signs of illness, such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and staff.
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Frequently asked questions
Visiting hours vary across hospitals. While some hospitals have visiting hours from 8 am to 8 pm, others have more restricted timings, such as 6 pm to 8 pm. Some hospitals also differentiate between units, with behavioral health units often having shorter visiting hours.
Yes, hospitals often have restrictions on the number of visitors a patient can receive at a time, typically limiting it to two visitors. Some hospitals also have age restrictions, only allowing children above 12 or 13 years to visit. Additionally, visitors may be required to obtain permission stickers, store their belongings separately, and follow specific guidelines, such as maintaining sanitation practices.
Yes, hospitals can make exceptions to visiting hours in certain circumstances. They may allow visitors outside of official visiting hours, especially in cases of end-of-life patients or when immediate family members are involved. However, hospitals prioritize patient care and confidentiality, and visiting hours can be adjusted based on clinical situations or department activity.
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