Our Visitation Policy is now called our “Family Presence Policy.” We have taken the word “visitor” out of our vocabulary and replaced it with “families” and guests.”

Patients are encouraged and assisted in identifying their “Partners in Care” upon admission. Patients decide when their families and guests may be present. Taking the safety of patients and staff into consideration, we have a secure and easy-to-follow process for identifying after hours guests.

With the help of our Care Advisory Team (comprised of previous patients and family members), several opportunities were identified that now make it easier for families to have accessibility to the facility after hours and to their loved ones around the clock.

OVERVIEW

Family-Presence Policy

• During admission, patients are asked to define their “family” and other “partners in care” and how they will be involved in care and decision-making.  The hospital honors patients’ choices in their selection.
• Partners in care receive a blue wristband identifying them as a key person in their loved one’s care.  As such, they are given flexibility throughout hospitalization to stay overnight without any additional steps needed.
• During a hospital stay or an emergency room visit, families and other partners in care are encouraged to be present and participate in care, care planning, and decision-making, according to patient-identified preferences.

Securing the Hospital at Night

• At 9:00 p.m. each evening, an overhead announcement is made stating that we will be “securing the hospital for the evening.”
• Anyone, other than identified partners in care, who is planning on staying the night with a patient will need to go to the unit nurses’ station for an overnight badge.
• At  9:30 p.m., the main lobby doors are secured.  All late-night guests will need to enter through the pedway, where security is located, or through the Emergency Department.

Click here to read our official  Family-Presence Policy.