The purpose of this policy is to establish a family presence policy for adult inpatient units at University of Louisville Hospital, with the exclusion of the Brown Cancer Center, Behavioral Health, and HCOC areas, in accordance with the Patient and Family Centered Care model.

DEFINITIONS:

• Guests: Anyone whom the patient determines has significance to their well-being and whose presence would enhance their hospitalization.
• Partners in care: Those individuals the patient deems as integral in the process of caring and recovery from illness (Note: Partners in Care may not be authorized by law to sign medical consent for procedures – see Informed Consent Policy 600-140).
• Family: Persons identified by the patient as “a group of individuals with a continuing legal, genetic and/or emotional relationship” (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2009).

POLICY STATEMENT:
The goal of this policy is to meet the psychological and emotional needs of the patient and those who comprise the patient’s support system through open visitation.

GUIDELINES:
1. Families and other “Partners in Care” are welcome 24 hours a day according to patient preference.
2. At the beginning of the hospital stay, patients are asked to define “Family” and “Partners in Care” which is documented in the patient record.
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. All partners in care and any guest 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 isolation policies.
6. Guests may be restricted to reduce any risks to the patient including disruptive behavior and unsafe practices.