CRHS Visitation Policy Updated

Policy Summary Statement 

Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Inc., believes the support of family and friends is therapeutically beneficial to our patients as well as provides the proper medical environment for patient’s visitors and staff.  

Our intent is to ensure that all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges consistent with patient preferences. CRHS will not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.  

Procedures 

1. Each patient, or his or her support person where appropriate, will be informed in writing at the time of admission of his or her visitation rights, including any clinical restriction or limitation on such rights. This information will be provided in a language and manner the patient understands. 
2. Each patient may receive the visitors whom he or she designates, whether a spouse, a  domestic partner (including same-sex domestic partner), another family member or a friend.  The patient has the right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time.  
3. Should the patient be unable to designate visitors, the support person may exercise the patient’s visitation rights on his or her behalf.  
4. Visitation may be restricted or limited in medically appropriate circumstances. Examples  may include but are not limited to the following: 
   1. When the patient is undergoing care interventions; however, if the patient requests a  support person to stay, the healthcare professional responsible for the patient will make the best effort at accommodating the request if the clinical situation allows for it;  b. When there may be infection control issues;
      1. During periods of highly contagious diseases in the community (such as norovirus, coronavirus, and/or influenza) visitation may be limited or controlled.
      2. Visitors with a communicable disease (obvious signs of illness such as rash,  productive cough, runny nose, fever) should NOT visit.
      3. Visitors without a shirt, shoes, or other proper attire are NOT allowed.
      4. It is recommended that visitors NOT enter rooms of patients on ISOLATION  PRECAUTIONS. However, if necessary, visitors should receive education from the patient’s primary nurse before entering the patient isolation room for instructions on the appropriate PPE (i.e. gloves, mask, etc.) it is important that visitors perform good HAND HYGIENE upon leaving the room.
   2. When visitation may interfere with the care of other patients;
   3. Existing court orders restricting contact of which the hospital is aware; e. Disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior of any kind;
   4. Patient need for rest or privacy;
   5. Limitations on the number of visitors during a specific period of time; h. Minimum age requirements for child visitors.
5. A maximum of three (3) visitors are allowed in a patient's room at any one time. If more than three (3) visitors are in a room at one time, hospital personnel has the right to direct excess visitors to the waiting room.
6. All individuals are required to wear shoes and shirts. The ONLY exception is in an emergency situation. 
7. Ministers will be allowed to visit at any time they are called. 
8. If a visitor is non-compliant, Hospital Security is to be notified and they will present to the room and escort visitors from the patient room. 
9. If Security is unable to gain cooperation from visitors, they will notify the local Police  Department for assistance. 

VISITATION HOURS FOR Med/Surg/Telemetry: 

1. Visitation will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. 
2. A maximum of three (3) visitors in a patient room at any one time. 
3. Overnight visitation is limited to one (1) adult per room. 
4. Children under age 12 are not permitted unless supervised by an adult. Special circumstances must be approved by the patient's primary nurse.
5. No children may be allowed for overnight stays. 
6. Caseworkers from the Department of Social Service, Vocational Rehabilitation, Mental  Health, Home Health Agencies, and other similar departments may visit other than regular visiting hours for patient follow-up. These individuals must register with the hospital Social  Services Department prior to any visitation. 

VISITATION HOURS FOR PEDIATRICS: 

1. Visitation begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m. 
2. A maximum of three (3) visitors in a patient room at any one time. 
3. Overnight visitation is limited to one (1) adult per room. 
4. If the person staying with a small child has to leave the room for any length of time, the nurse must be notified before leaving. He or she must notify the nurse upon their return to the patient's room. 
5. If the child is under 6 years of age, posted for surgery that day, or unduly upset by the hospital experience, a parent or designated adult attendant is required to stay at all times. 

VISITATION HOURS FOR LABOR & DELIVERY, RECOVERY: 

1. A maximum of three (3) visitors in a patient room until delivery. 
2. Following delivery, visitation on the Maternal Child Unit will be 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. C. A maximum of three (3) visitors in a patient room at any one time. 
3. Children under age 12 are not permitted unless supervised by an adult. Special circumstances must be approved by the patient's primary nurse. 
4. Overnight visitation is limited to one (1) adult. 

CRITICAL CARE UNIT: 

1. Visitation will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. 
2. A maximum of two (2) visitors in a patient room at any one time. 
3. Overnight visitation is limited to one (1) adult per room. 
4. Children under age 12 are not permitted unless supervised by an adult. Special circumstances must be approved by the patient's primary nurse. 
5. No children may be allowed for overnight stays. 
6. Caseworkers from the Department of Social Service, Vocational Rehabilitation, Mental  Health, Home Health Agencies, and other similar departments may visit other than regular visiting hours for patient follow-up. These individuals must register with the hospital Social  Services Department prior to any visitation. 

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: 

1. Non-Critical - Adult patients to be seen in the ED or Express Care area may designate  ONE support person to be with them during their visit.
2. Non-Critical - Infants and children 14 years of age and under will be permitted to have both parents or guardians with them or other designated support people.
3. Visitation of Critical Patients (infants, children, or adults) is at the discretion of the charge nurse and physician. 

ASU

• One Visitor per patient
• Two visitors for patients 18 and under

Family Birthing Center

• One visitor per patient

Definitions 

Support Person: the family member, friend, or other individual who supports the patient during his or her hospital stay and may exercise the patient’s visitation rights on his or her behalf if the patient is unable to designate visitors. 

References 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid 

42 CFR Part 482.13 Condition of participation: Patient’s rights 

Standard: Patient visitation rights