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Cincinnati Children’s Implements New Visitor Policy

Monday, December 07, 2015

During a hospital stay it’s important to find the right balance of support from family and friends and limited exposure to germs so you or your loved one can be well again. Beginning Dec. 15, Cincinnati Children’s is implementing a new visitor policy to provide consistent guidelines for our patients and families. 

Our year-round visitor policy recognizes that family and friends offer emotional support through an often trying time. It also recognizes that germs are everywhere, all the time. More visitors at the bedside puts you or your loved one and all patients at greater risk for infection.

During your stay:

• Up to four parents, legal guardians, a spouse or similar primary support person (age 18 and up) may receive 24-hour access. Up to two may stay overnight; some units have accommodations for only one.
• Up to six siblings, family members or friends may be identified to visit throughout the admission.
• Additional family and friends can share their support without sharing their germs by making a video call, sending a free e-greeting card or old-fashion mail, following social media or by calling the Gift Shop or concierge service, Best Upon Request, to order and deliver a surprise.

If your stay is longer than 30 days, you can work with your social worker to substitute names on your visitor list. Please contact your social worker for any questions. 

Visitors should:

• Be healthy—free from fever, cough, colds or stomach virus symptoms and living with persons who are also healthy. Visitors can unintentionally spread germs if someone in their household is ill.
• Check in at the Welcome Desk upon arrival for a photo name badge. 
• Wash their hands often, especially before and after visiting a patient.

During peak times of illness in the community (i.e. flu/respiratory illness from December to March) unknowingly ill visitors increase the chance of spreading germs that may make it harder for patients to recover and go home. During these heightened periods of risk:

• Young children (under age 14) are requested not to visit the intensive care units.
• Only children seeking evaluation or treatment should be brought to outpatient appointments.
• Visitors can show they care by practicing good hand hygiene and giving a wink or wave rather than a hug or kiss.

For more information, please go to www.cincinnatichildrens.org. 

About Cincinnati Children's

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center ranks third in the nation among all Honor Roll hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s 2015 Best Children’s Hospitals. It is also ranked in the top 10 for all 10 pediatric specialties, including a #1 ranking in pulmonology and #2 in cancer and in nephrology. Cincinnati Children’s, a non-profit organization, is one of the top three recipients of pediatric research grants from the National Institutes of Health, and a research and teaching affiliate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The medical center is internationally recognized for improving child health and transforming delivery of care through fully integrated, globally recognized research, education and innovation. Additional information can be found at www.cincinnatichildrens.org. Connect on the Cincinnati Children’s blog, via Facebook and on Twitter.