Tessa Quinn
Visiting a friend or family member in the hospital can be a great way to provide emotional support and help with their recovery. However, it's important to be mindful of certain rules and guidelines to ensure your visit is beneficial to the patient and doesn't cause any unnecessary stress or harm. Before your visit, it's a good idea to check the hospital's visitation policies, including any restrictions on visiting hours, the number of visitors, and the presence of children. It's also recommended to call ahead to ensure the patient is well enough for a visit and to inquire about any specific requirements, such as the need for personal protective equipment. While gifts are often appreciated, it's best to avoid flowers and balloons due to potential allergies and space constraints. Instead, consider items that can help pass the time, such as books or puzzles. Remember to prioritize the patient's rest and comfort during your visit, and always respect their wishes and privacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visiting hours | Check with the hospital about visiting hours and visitor limitations |
| Gifts | Call ahead to check if the patient has any gift requests, such as a book, magazine, or puzzle book. Avoid flowers, balloons, and food due to allergies and dietary restrictions. |
| Visitors | Call ahead to check if children are allowed to visit. |
| Health | If you are unwell, stay home. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when entering or exiting a hospital room. |
| Behavior | Keep noise levels down, be considerate, and respect the patient's wishes. Do not handle any hospital equipment. |
| Communication | Keep messages comforting and positive. |
| Duration | Short visits are best. |
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What You'll Learn
Check hospital and ward-specific visiting policies, hours and limitations
Hospital visiting hours and policies vary across different hospitals and wards. Therefore, it is important to check the specific policies of the hospital and ward you wish to visit. For instance, intensive and special care units, and special care nurseries in maternity hospitals often limit visitors to immediate family and only for short periods of time. Some hospitals and wards may also restrict the number of visitors at one time to prevent the patient from becoming too tired and to manage ward capacity. It is recommended to coordinate visits with other visitors, such as family members, to avoid overcrowding.
Before leaving for the hospital, it is advisable to contact the hospital to confirm the patient's location and availability for visits. Patients may be temporarily unavailable due to tests, treatments, or therapies. Certain hospitals and wards may have strict visiting hours, and some may restrict children from visiting. It is also important to be mindful of your own health before visiting. If you are experiencing any signs of illness, it is recommended to postpone your visit until you are well to avoid spreading germs.
Upon arrival at the hospital, proceed to the main administration area or the ward reception to inquire about the patient's room. If you know the ward or floor location, you can go directly there. It is important to follow any hand hygiene protocols that the hospital may have in place, such as handwashing or using hand sanitizer, to prevent the spread of infections. Additionally, be mindful of any personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements that may be necessary for your visit.
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Be considerate to other patients in the room
When visiting a friend or family member in the hospital, it's important to be considerate to other patients in the room. Here are some ways you can do this:
Keep Noise Levels Down
Patients are more sensitive to noise than they would be under normal conditions. Be mindful of this and keep noise levels down, not only in the patient's room but also in the corridors and other parts of the hospital. If there is a roommate, be considerate and refrain from making loud noises.
Avoid Strong Scents
Illness and medication can interfere with a person's sense of smell, and some patients may find certain scents intolerable. Exposure to strong scents can trigger allergic reactions, headaches, nausea, and even shortness of breath. Therefore, it is best to skip the perfume, cologne, and body spray. Aim for a natural, fresh, and clean scent instead.
Respect the Patient's Space
Keep the patient's room uncluttered and clean. If you bring gifts, consider something small that won't take up too much space, such as a card, a book, or a puzzle book. Avoid bringing flowers or balloons, especially if the patient has a roommate, as they can trigger allergies and take up valuable space.
Be Mindful of Your Health
If you are feeling unwell, it is best to postpone your visit until you are feeling better. Hospitals are full of people with weakened immune systems, and your mild illness could turn into a major complication for someone else. It is also important to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting the hospital to prevent the spread of germs.
Keep Visits Short
Remember that patients need adequate rest as part of their recovery process. Even if your friend or family member is getting better, having visitors can be tiring. Keep your visits short, and be mindful of the patient's condition and their ability to enjoy your visit.
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Avoid bringing children, flowers, balloons, and food
When visiting someone at the hospital, it is important to avoid bringing children, flowers, balloons, and food. Here are some reasons why:
Children
Children under 13 should not visit patients in hospitals because their immune systems are still developing and they are more susceptible to catching and spreading germs from contagious patients. This can be dangerous for the child as well as for other patients in the hospital. If a child must visit, it is important to ensure they wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before entering and after leaving the patient's room.
Flowers
Flowers and plants are restricted in some hospitals because they can harbor mold and water-borne organisms, which could cause infections and illnesses in patients, particularly those who are immunocompromised. Additionally, pollen from flowers can stick to healthcare workers' clothes and be transferred to patients who are allergic to it. Flowers and spilled water from vases can also hinder access to patients in emergency situations, and vases can be used by patients to inflict self-harm.
Balloons
Balloons, especially those made of latex, can trigger allergic reactions in patients and healthcare workers. Balloon strings can get caught in medical equipment and hinder access to patients. Additionally, psychiatric patients may use balloon strings to inflict self-harm.
Food
Bringing outside food to patients in the hospital can be dangerous as many patients are placed on strict diets, especially those with certain diseases or those who have recently had anesthesia. Eating outside food can interfere with a patient's treatment and delay their recovery. It is best to follow the dietary restrictions provided by the hospital to ensure the patient's safety.
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Be respectful and mindful of the patient's recovery process
When visiting someone at the hospital, it's important to be respectful and mindful of the patient's recovery process. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Firstly, be mindful of the patient's condition and their preferences. Before your visit, check with the patient or their family to see if they have any gift requests or if there's anything they need. Respect their wishes if they prefer solitude or rest instead of a visit. If you do visit, be aware of their energy levels and don't overstay your welcome. Nurses recommend a maximum visit time of 15 to 20 minutes. Respect the patient's privacy and understand that medical staff may not be able to provide complete updates on their condition due to privacy regulations.
Secondly, be considerate of the patient's health and comfort. Avoid bringing flowers or balloons if the patient shares a room, as these can trigger allergies or take up too much space. Also, refrain from bringing outside food unless you've checked with the nurse or physician, as patients often have dietary restrictions. Be mindful of your own hygiene and health—wash your hands, avoid visiting if you're unwell, and refrain from smoking before or during the visit, as the smell can be nauseating to patients.
Thirdly, create a positive and comforting environment. Keep your conversations focused on the patient and avoid discussing stressful topics or horror stories about hospitals. Bring gifts that will uplift the patient, such as a book, a puzzle book, or a small item that reminds them of home. If you bring children, ensure they are well-behaved and don't play on the floor or put things in their mouths.
Lastly, respect the patient's personal goals and priorities for their recovery. Understand that recovery involves both physical and emotional aspects. Be supportive of their decisions regarding their care and potential outcomes. Remember that patients who actively participate in their recovery process and maintain a sense of self-cohesion tend to have more positive assessments of their outcomes.
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Wear a mask and practise good hygiene
When visiting someone in the hospital, it is important to wear a mask and practise good hygiene to protect both yourself and the patient from the spread of infectious diseases. Here are some tips to ensure you are doing so effectively:
Wearing a Mask
It is important to wear a mask when visiting someone in the hospital, as it helps protect both you and the patient from the spread of airborne viruses and germs. If you do not have a mask, the hospital should be able to provide you with one. Choose the most protective type of mask you can comfortably wear for an extended period, ensuring it fits well and completely covers your nose and mouth. Gaps around the edges of the mask can allow air to leak, reducing its effectiveness.
Practising Good Hygiene
Good hand hygiene is one of the most important practices to prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser when entering and exiting the hospital and the patient's room. If you are experiencing any signs of illness, such as a fever, runny nose, nasal congestion, or cough, postpone your visit until you are well. Hospitals may also have policies requiring personal protective equipment (PPE), so be sure to check with the nurse before entering the patient's room.
Additional Considerations
To further protect the patient and yourself, avoid smoking before or during your visit, as the odour can be nauseating to patients, especially those with a heightened sense of smell due to certain medications. Also, be mindful of any gifts you bring, as flowers and balloons may trigger allergic reactions or make the room feel crowded. Instead, consider alternative gifts such as cards, books, or small comfort items.
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Frequently asked questions
Do wear a mask to protect both yourself and the patient from airborne viruses. Don't bring food unless you know the patient can tolerate it, as they may be on a special diet. Don't visit if your presence will cause stress or anxiety, and don't overstay your welcome. It's also important to respect the patient's wishes if they do not want any visitors.
It's important to check with the hospital about what you can and cannot bring into the ward. Some good gift ideas include cards, books, puzzle books, magazines, photos, or small items that remind them of home. Flowers and balloons are not recommended due to the prevalence of latex allergies and fragrance sensitivities.
It's important to call ahead to check the visitation policy and visiting hours, as well as to ensure the patient is well enough to see visitors. Be mindful of any personal protective equipment that may be required, and always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when entering or exiting the hospital to prevent the spread of germs.
Avoid bringing children unless absolutely necessary, and do not bring any outside business or stress into the visit. Do not handle any hospital equipment, and be mindful of the patient's need for rest and recovery. Skip the perfume or cologne, as patients may have a heightened sense of smell due to medication.
