Support from Family and Friends
Family support is important to children in the hospital. Most of the patient care units at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center welcome and encourage parents / guardians to stay with their child at all times. A sleepchair is available in most patient rooms. Another family member or close friend over age 18 may stay with the child if the parent must leave.
- Parents, guardians and grandparents are welcome 24 hours a day. Open hours and the number of visitors at any time may be limited on some specialty units. Staff will discuss any special guidelines with you.
- Brothers and sisters, 18 months to 13 years old, are welcome during regular visiting hours (8:30 am to 8:30 pm). Please plan the visit with your child's nurse. On the day of the visit, stop at the Welcome Center to pick up a sibling visitor sticker.
- Other visitors are invited during regular visitor hours, 8:30 am to 8:30 pm.
Help us keep your child safe. Ask all visitors not to come if they have a fever, cold or other sign of an illness your child could catch.
- If your child has a contagious illness and requires isolation precautions,visitors will be restricted to parents and guardians unless special arrangements are made.
Tips for Sibling Visits
- Before the visit, describe what your child may see and hear. A photo of your ill child may prepare the sibling for the visit.
- Arrange an appropriate time and length for the visit. Take into consideration the sibling's age and attention span, the patient's condition and activities on the patient care unit.
- After the visit, talk to the sibling about what he or she saw and heard, explain anything confusing and answer questions.
Messages from Friends and Family
Information about how friends and family can communicate with you, such as through CarePages, will be available in the Information Guide in your room or on the unit.
