Jordan Ellis
Visiting a friend or family member in the hospital can be an emotional experience, especially for children. It is important to prepare children for what they may see and hear when they visit a loved one in the hospital. Hospitals have different policies regarding visiting hours and age restrictions, so it is important to check with the hospital before planning your visit. Some hospitals may require visitors over a certain age to show a valid photo ID, and children may need to be accompanied and supervised by an adult. It is also crucial to respect the wishes of the person you are visiting, as they may not always feel well enough to have visitors and need rest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age restrictions | Some hospitals may restrict children from visiting or limit the age of children allowed to visit. |
| Number of visitors | Hospitals may limit the number of visitors at one time. |
| Visiting hours | Hospitals have specific visiting hours, but visits outside these hours may be arranged. |
| Visitor ID | Visitors may be required to show a valid photo ID and obtain a visitor pass. |
| Patient consent | Visitors should respect the wishes of the patient and only visit if the patient consents. |
| Health status of visitor | Visitors should not visit if they are sick. |
| Infection control | Visitors may be required to wear masks and perform hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infections. |
| Gifts | Patients in ICU, oncology, and immunocompromised patients may receive gifts but not flowers or plants. |
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What You'll Learn
Visiting rules for children
The rules for visiting someone in hospital vary depending on the hospital and the department. It is always best to check with the hospital before your visit.
Some hospitals have a minimum age limit for visitors. For example, California Hospital Medical Center only permits visitors aged 12 and over. Children under 12 can visit, but only if their request is approved by the Unit Leader and House Supervisor. Other hospitals, such as Northside Hospital, do not specify a minimum age limit, but they do require that children are accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times, and they may prohibit children from entering certain departments.
If your child is visiting someone in hospital, it is important to ensure that they do not have any symptoms of illness, especially COVID-19. Most hospitals have hand wash stations on every ward, and some provide hand sanitiser. Visitors are expected to wash their hands before and after their visit, and some hospitals may require visitors to wear a mask. It is important to respect the wishes of the person you are visiting, as well as the hospital's visiting hours and policies.
If your child is the patient, it is your right to decide who can visit. If you do not want your child to have visitors, inform the nurse unit manager, who will communicate this to the other nurses and your child's visitors.
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Visiting someone with COVID-19
Visiting policies vary across hospitals, so it is always best to check with the specific hospital before your visit. Here are some general guidelines and recommendations when visiting someone with COVID-19 in the hospital:
Visiting Hours and Age Restrictions
Hospitals generally have specific visiting hours, such as 9 am to 9 pm, with exceptions granted on a case-by-case basis. Some hospitals permit unrestricted visitation for adult patients, with no limit on the number of visitors, as long as the caregiver can provide safe and high-quality care. For visitors under the age of 18, some hospitals require them to be accompanied by an adult. In certain cases, prior approval from the nurse manager may be necessary for visitors under the age of 14, especially if the patient is in the ICU.
Health and Safety Protocols
To ensure the safety of patients, visitors, and staff, hospitals may implement various measures. Visitors with respiratory symptoms, positive COVID-19 test results, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 may be required to wear masks. Proper hand hygiene is also essential, with handwashing or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers required upon entering and exiting patient rooms. In semi-private rooms, it is important to respect the privacy of other patients and their families.
Behavioral Expectations
Family members and visitors are expected to maintain a respectful and peaceful environment. Violent, threatening, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If the treatment area becomes crowded or unsafe, visitors may be asked to wait elsewhere in the hospital and will be provided with a pager to be called back when needed.
Virtual Visitation Options
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some hospitals offered virtual wellness visits through video calls to hospitalized patients experiencing loneliness or social isolation. This provided an opportunity for patients to connect with their loved ones remotely.
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Preparing children to visit
If your child wants to visit a loved one in the hospital, it is typically okay as long as visitors of certain ages are allowed. Preparing your child ahead of time will help reduce their anxiety and help them cope with the experience. Here are some tips to help you prepare your child:
Choose an Appropriate Setting
Create a safe and quiet environment for the conversation, such as your home or a quiet room in the hospital. Ensure the setting is free from distractions by turning off electronic devices and limiting the number of people present.
Prepare Yourself First
Before discussing the hospital visit with your child, ensure you are calm and relaxed. Bring music that helps relax your child, and maintain their normal routines as much as possible.
Use Age-Appropriate Language
When explaining the hospital visit to your child, use simple and honest language that they can understand. Be mindful of their age and past experiences, as these factors will influence their understanding and response. Reassure them that they did nothing wrong and that they are not to blame for the hospitalization.
Provide Clear Information
Explain to your child why their loved one is in the hospital and why they may look or behave differently. Let them know that their loved one may have tubes or bandages and may not be able to talk or respond as they usually would. Explain that it's okay to feel a range of emotions, including sadness, fear, or happiness.
Involve Your Child in the Process
Encourage your child to ask questions and express their feelings about the upcoming visit. Allow them to make a special "hospital bag" with toys, movies, or activities to keep them occupied during the visit. If appropriate, suggest that they make a card or drawing for their loved one.
Respect Your Child's Wishes
Ultimately, respect your child's decision about whether they want to visit or not. Some children may want to wait a few days or prefer shorter visits. Allow them to lead the way when they are in the hospital room, and don't force them to go up to the bed or hold the patient's hand unless they want to.
Seek Professional Support
If your loved one is in a serious condition or facing end-of-life decisions, consider seeking guidance from Child Life Specialists or similar professionals. They are trained to help children and families cope with hospitalization and can provide age-appropriate explanations and comfort measures.
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Hospital bag for kids
When preparing your child to visit someone in the hospital, it's important to do so in a quiet and safe space, free from distractions. It's also a good idea to prepare your child for what they may see and hear when they visit the hospital. The older the child, the more detail you may want to give them. You could use pictures of the hospital room, machines, and the person they are going to see. Explain what each machine is used for in simple terms.
If the person your child is visiting is a loved one who is unwell, you should let your child know that it's okay to feel a range of emotions, and that it's alright to cry. If the person is likely to have visible tubes or swelling, you may want to wait until they are recovering before your child visits. If the person is unlikely to recover, you should prepare your child and ask them if they want to visit and say goodbye.
To help your child feel comfortable during their visit, they could bring a ""hospital bag" with toys, movies, or activities to keep them busy. Here are some suggestions for items to include in the hospital bag:
- Toys, books, fidget spinners, or small comfort items like a blanket or stuffed animal.
- Healthy, non-perishable snacks like granola bars or apple sauce packets, and a bottle of water.
- If your child is very young, you may need a diaper bag with baby supplies: bottles, burp cloths, teething toys, etc.
- If your child has sensory sensitivities, consider including noise-canceling headphones, a baseball cap, sunglasses, or an eye mask.
- Any maintenance medicine they require, such as an inhaler.
- Face masks for children over 2, and a bag to store them when not in use.
Remember to pack only the essentials and avoid bringing electrical appliances or valuables to the hospital.
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Visiting hours and policies
In general, hospitals have visiting hours every day, and some allow visitors anytime during these hours. However, some hospitals may restrict the number of visitors a patient can receive at once, and some wards may have additional restrictions. It is always a good idea to coordinate with other potential visitors, such as family members, to ensure the patient does not become too tired. Patients may also be away from their rooms during the day for tests, treatment, or therapy, so checking in advance can prevent a long wait or a trip to the hospital when the patient is unavailable.
Some hospitals may have age restrictions on children who are allowed to visit, and all children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Hospitals may also have different visiting hours for particular wards. For example, intensive care units (ICUs) usually have special instructions for visitors. Visitors who want to stay after regular visiting hours may need to get permission from a parent or guardian and a nurse, and they may need to sign in at an information desk and show a photo ID.
In addition to these policies, hospitals may implement further restrictions based on public health and safety concerns, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors should always respect the wishes of the person they are visiting and the policies of the hospital, including any infection control measures.
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Frequently asked questions
The minimum age to visit someone in the hospital is generally 12 years old, although some hospitals allow children as young as 2 years old to visit as long as they are accompanied and supervised by an adult.
Yes, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta allows healthy children ages 2 and older to visit as long as they can wear a mask.
Yes, some hospitals may have restrictions on the number of visitors allowed at the bedside at any time, as well as the total number of approved visitors. It is important to check with the hospital before planning a visit.
It is important to respect the wishes of the person you are visiting and to follow the hospital's policies and visiting hours. Visitors should also practice good hand hygiene and be respectful of other patients and their privacy.
It is important to prepare your child for what they will see and hear when they visit the hospital. You can explain what the different machines are used for and why the patient may look or act differently. It is also a good idea to let your child know that it is okay to feel a range of emotions during the visit.
