Policy: Family Presence / "Visitor" Guidelines Status: Active Activation Date: 01/13/2012 Last Review Date: Entity: Respon Dept/Group: Database: Section: By: 01/13/2012 Becky C. Provine Emory Hospitals, EUOSH, WWGH, WWLTH Administration Emory Hospitals Policies Administration Statement: Family**, friends and/or representatives of the patients' choosing are encouraged to visit and provide support to patients during their hospital stay, unless their presence interferes with others rights, safety or is medically contraindicated. Visiting guidelines are designed to support a safe, secure and caring environment that meets our patients' needs for healing and recovery. **All Emory Healthcare entities, including Emory Hospitals, WWGH and WWLTH, have explicitly adopted the following definition of "family", which is consistent with the definition used by the Joint Commission: "Family" means any person (s), as define by the patient, who plays a significant role in an individual's life. This may include a person (s) not legally related to the individual (for example, "domestic partner"). This includes both spouses and domestic partners as well as a minor patient's parents, regardless of the gender of either parent. Scope/Procedure: General Information 1. There are not formal visiting hours at Emory Hospitals. However, in order to insure the security and health of our patients, their families and staff, family and friends are asked to enter main entrances where access is allowed after hours and check in with the nurse on the care unit. Entrance may vary by entity and is posted on main entrances. 2. More specific information about family presence in specialty areas, such as intensive care, renal dialysis and Special Care nurseries may be obtained in these areas. > Refer to Visiting Guidelines for Specific Areas at the end of this policy. 3. Family and friends should limitthe number present to two at a time. 4. Family and friends including children should perform hand hygiene upon entering and when leaving the patient room. 5. Children may be present after appropriate arrangements are made with the nurse caring for the patient or the nurse in charge of the department. Children must be under the direct supervision of a responsible adult. Children under 12 should not stay overnight unless accompanied by a visiting adult. Children will not be permitted to visit if sick or with upper respiratory infection or known infectious disease; i.e.chicken Pox.
6. In some instances it may be necessary for a family member/significant other to stay overnight with a patient. a. In such cases arrangements are to be made with the nurse caring for the patient or the nurse in charge of the department. b. Overnight stays are not permitted in any semi-private rooms, due to patient safety, confidentiality, and possible infection control issues. 7. Individual patient needs may necessitate exceptions to visiting guidelines. These exceptions should be discussed with the unit director, shift nurse manager or administrative supervisor. Guest Services 1. Guest services brochures which provide information on hospital services (food, parking, gift shop, etc.) are available in the admissions department and/or concierge desk. 2. Information about local area accommodations, transportation, restaurants, and other personal services can be obtained at the hospital concierge desk (main lobby at EUH and Center for Rehabilitation Medicine), the information desk (hospital lobby at EUHM), and the admissions office at WW. 3. A Patient/Family Resource Center is available at EUH in F224 for use by patients and families. 4. Social services are available to assist family members with special financial needs or physical limitations during normal business hours Monday-Friday. 5. Foreign language and sign language interpreter resources are available for non-english speaking or hearing impaired patients and their families. Safety Issues > Refer to Emory Hospitals Policy: Hearing-impaired, Visually-impaired, and Non-English Speaking Persons, Communication with 1. Family and friends may be asked to observe special precautions when present with patients receiving certain treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or isolation precautions, etc. 2. Family and friends who have contagious diseases or symptoms should refrain from visiting patients and using public waiting areas. 3. Family and friends in possession of, or under the influence of, alcohol or drugs are not permitted in the hospital. 4. Emory Hospitals are committed to a smoke-free environment. Smoking is permitted only in the designated areas outside the buildings. 5. Because of potential fire hazards the following items are also not permitted in patient rooms or waiting areas: - Matches, candles, and other open-flame devices - Electrical appliances and cooking utensils - Personal chairs and cots 6. Firearms, weapons, and personal security devices (except those licensed to a certified law officer) should not be brought into the hospital. At WW these items are held at Security.
Waiting Room Management 1. Some public areas and waiting rooms close at 9:00 pm and may not be used for overnight stays. 2. A limited number of family and friends may stay overnight in designated waiting areas. 3. Waiting areas generally have designated occupancy levels. Groups of 6 or more, or groups with children, may be asked to wait in the main lobby areas or other specified locations better designed to accommodate their needs. 4. All waiting areas are assigned to specific departments for management purposes. Additional information regarding family presence in specific areas may be available in those areas. See the Unit Director, shift nurse manager or Administrative Supervisor for more information. Family and Friends Responsibilities - Respect the rights and privacy of others - Comply with EHCguidelines and safety precautions - Assist in maintaining cleanliness of the waiting areas by removing personal trash and items - Do not visit if you are sick. Family and Friends Presence GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFIC AREAS Intensive Care Units and EUH 6A Progressive Care Unit 1. Visiting hours for these departments are based on patient/family needs and services provided. See Critical Care Specific Family Presence Guidelines. 2. For information concerning overnight stays within the intensive care units please see that unitʼs individual guidelines. Due to space constraints and patient condition, this may or may not be possible. 3. Flowers, plants, and fruit are not permitted in the intensive care units due to infection control. Hemodialysis Unit 1. Family and friends in the hemodialysis unit are limited to the immediate family/significant others. 2. Family and friends in the hemodialysis unit are requested to limit visits to a minimum of two visitors at a time unless otherwise directed by the nurse in charge of the unit. 3. For the safety and privacy of patients and visitors, the nurse may ask the family or friend to exit the dialysis unit for specified amounts of time. 4. For safety reasons eating and drinking is not permitted in the dialysis unit. EUHM Womenʼs Health > Refer to Visiting Policy for Womenʼs Health Services under Perinatal Services in the Nursing Department Specific database EUHM Intermediate and Intensive Care Nurseries 1. On-going family-centered care is emphasized. 2. Questions regarding family and friend presence should be directed to the nurse caring for the baby or the nurse in charge of the nursery.
Psychiatry (Mental Health) 1. Family and friends are encouraged to participate in treatment and be present with the patient on the unit. They may be present in the patientʼs room and common areas of the unit, and may accompany the patient for a walk on the grounds if there is a physicianʼs order to do so. 2. Generally family and friends are encouraged to be present between the hours of 9:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m. The department recognizes hospitalization is a stressor for all family members and extension of family presence will be considered on a case-by-case basis with a physician order. 3. The treatment team may restrict the presence of family and friends under the following circumstances: a. Patient is agitated by or refuses to see anyone other than the treatment team b. Family or friend is suspected to be intoxicated with alcohol or drugs c. Family or friend is belligerent toward staff or other patients d. Presence may adversely affect the patientʼs condition or the provision of medical care and other therapies 4. Family and friends will be given a confidentiality code number by the patient. This code must be used to enter the unit, talk with staff or have phone calls transferred to the patient. 5. As a safety precaution all items brought into the mental health services areas by family and friends must be inspected at the nursing station for sharps, glass, alcohol, drugs, or items that could be used for personal harm. Center for Rehabilitation Medicine Family and friends presence hours at the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine are established to accommodate patients' full participation in the rehabilitation process. Rehabilitation requires a special environment for healing. Each patient may have two (2) family or friends at a time in the patient rooms. In certain situations, the nurse assigned to the patient may adjust this number. Family and friends may expect direction from the nursing staff when necessary to maintain a therapeutic environment for all patients. In order to allow both therapy and rest times, in general these presence hours are from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. On weekends and holidays, the visiting hours are from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Certain therapies or medical interventions may need to be scheduled during these hours. Individuals who will be the primary care givers for the patient after discharge are members of the rehab team and are welcome to participate in the patient's care. The schedule for this participation will bedetermined in advance by the team and care giver. When a patient is located in a private room, overnight stays by the primary caregiver with the patient in the room are permitted when approved by the Nursing Unit Director, Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, or the Program Medical Director. Overnight stays are not permitted in any semi-private rooms due to patient safety, confidentiality, and possible infection control concerns. Children are welcomed members of the rehabilitation team. Children 12 years of age and older may be present on the nursing units, while children younger than 12 years may be present with the patient only in the first floor lobby, cafeteria, or outside. Use of CRM facilities, including laundry, showers, gym, pool and computers is restricted to patients and staff. NOTE: For the protection of patients, persons with respiratory conditions (colds, flu, etc.) or any sign of contagious diseases are requested not to visit patients unless special permission is given by the physician or the nurse in charge. For guidelines regarding pet visitation, see policy Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Related Policies/Procedures: > Emory Hospitals Policy: Hearing Impaired,Visualyl Impaired or Speech Impaired Persons, Communication with > Emory Hospitals Policy: Animal-Assisted Therapy > Visiting Policy for Womenʼs Health Services under Perinatal Services in the Nursing Department Specific database Key Words for Search: Regulatory References: The Joint Commission 2012 Hospital Accreditation Standards Manual, Rights & Responsibilities Chapter, Standard R1.01.01 Review/Approval Lead Reviewer: Reviewers: Becky C. Provine Donna C. Sanders, Laura W. Hurt, Annette L. Branan, Pamela E. Cosper, Sandra K. Thomason, Andrea J. Woods, Bobby J. Wright, Carolyn L. Hill, Michelle R. Gray Reviewer Approval Donna C. Sanders Bobby J. Wright Michelle R. Gray Becky C. Provine 11/17/2011 08:54:54 AM 01/13/2012 08:10:29 AM 01/13/2012 12:28:55 PM 01/13/2012 01:22:23 PM Approved By Approved by Emory Healthcare Senior Management Emory Hospitals Senior Management