Family Presence/Visitation

Guidelines based on the needs of our patients/patients’ families

Definitions:

• Minor:
  'Minor' means any individual who is under the age of 18 years
• Supervising Adult: 
  A Person over the age of 18 years old that is not the patient.
• Partners in care:
  Those individuals the patient deems as integral in the process of caring and recovery from illness (Note: Partners in care may or may not be authorized by law to sign medical consent for procedures).
• Family:
  Persons identified by the patient as “a group of individuals with a continuing legal, genetic and/or emotional relationship”.

Family Presence and Visitation Guidelines:

• Families and other partners in care are welcome 24 hours a day, according to patient preference.
• At the beginning of the hospital stay, patients are asked to define “family” and “partners in care”; this information is then documented in the patient’s record.
• The number of people welcomed at the bedside at any one time will be determined in collaboration with caregivers, patient and family without compromising safe delivery of care.
• Children supervised by an adult are welcomed and are expected to remain with the supervising adult. Children’s behavior is monitored by the responsible adult and the nursing staff to ensure a safe and restful environment for the patient(s).
• All partners in care and any family and friends of the patient must adhere to the hospital’s infection control policies, which include: absence of any communicable disease, avoiding food storage in patient rooms or waiting room and adherence to transmission-based precautions policies.
• Family and friends may be restricted to reduce any risks to the patient, including disruptive behavior and unsafe practices.
• Family presence may be restricted upon leadership endorsement when public health threats are identified as posing significant risk to patients and/or visitors.
• Patients, their families and friends will be responsible for treating faculty, staff, and students with dignity and respect as part of GR Medical Center’s Patient and Family Centered Care Philosophy.
• As a consideration for the other patients, an overnight family member or friend in an adult non-private room will be the same sex as the patient.
• Family presence rights include the right to receive family and friends designated by the patient; including, but not limited to, a spouse, a domestic partner (including a same-sex domestic partner), another family member, or a friend. Also included is the right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time.
• Family or friends presence may or may not be the patient’s surrogate decision-maker or legally authorized representative.
• Family and friends (adults/children) with known symptoms of illness or exposure to common childhood diseases are require to consult with the nurse prior to visiting.
• Common areas are to be kept neat and clean.
• All family and partners in care sleeping in the common areas will need to obtain visitor badge as part of security for all.
• Family presence is open and times are coordinated with the patient parents and caregiver.
• Suggested family presence hours for caregivers other than primary caregivers are 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily to assure proper rest for the patient.
• The preferred number of family and friends presence is two (2) per patient at one time.
• Patients’ and/or family with needs that fall outside of these guidelines may be referred to the Nurse Manager or Charge Nurse.
• An after-hours visitor’s pass is issued by nursing personnel for any family and friends who stay after recommended visiting hours.
• After hours passes should be provided to family and friends at 8:00 p.m.
• Family and friends is determined by the patient or designated representative.
• Family presence is open and times are coordinated with the patient and caregiver.
• Family and friends presence after 8:00 p.m. will need to check in at the nurse’s station.