Labor & Delivery
The patient in Labor and Delivery is
allowed to have three support persons
during the laboring process. Visitors are
asked to use the wall intercom to speak
with the receptionist in order to gain
access to the patient’s room. Children
are not allowed to visit during the labor
process unless the patient desires to see
her children for a brief visit and only if the
children are free of illness.
A family waiting room is provided
for visitors of patients in Labor and
Delivery. Visitors are asked to wait in this
designated area.
Post Partum
Hours for visiting patients on the Post
Partum Unit will be from 9:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m. Visitors are asked to use the
wall phone to speak with the receptionist
in order to gain access to the patient’s
room. Siblings are encouraged to visit
the mother and newborn in the mother’s
room throughout the mother’s stay.
Visitors with signs of an acute illness,
include siblings, are not permitted to visit.
Nursery
Nursery Infants must remain in the
bassinet when they are being transported.
For security and safety reasons, the infant
may not be transported to any other
location other than the nursery and the
mother’s room. Visiting in the nursery
is limited to mother and designated
support person wearing the armband that
matches infant’s armband.
In some instances, the infant may have
to remain in the hospital after the mother
goes home. If the parent or parents are
not available to be with the baby, the
mother or father may designate in writing
no more than two family members to
occupy this role. These visitors must
present a photo ID to staff at each visit and
may be in the nursery with the newborn
in the parent support room. Staff must be
present in the nursery during these visits.
A breastfeeding mother whose
infant is an inpatient may have the same
visitation. Visits may be limited depending
on the activity of the nursery and
condition of the infant. The nursing staff
will instruct visitors on the appropriate
infection control procedures prior to
entering the Nursery. Visitors will be
assessed by the nursing staff for possible
illness that would expose the infants to
disease. Visitors will not be allowed into
the nursery when there is a concern.
Surgical Services
1. Same Day Surgery:
Visitors (1-2) may stay with patients in the
Same Day Surgery Unit.
2. OR and Post Anesthesia Care Unit:
As a general rule, visitors are not allowed.
Exceptions, as appropriate are made on
a case-by-case basis with the permission
of the patient, the Director of Surgical
Services, the Anesthesiologists, and the
Surgeon.
Intensive Care Unit
Visitation is permitted during the hours of
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. with the exception
of 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. to allow for
nursing shift change. No more than two
visitors at a time will be allowed to visit
the patient depending upon the patient’s
condition. Children over the age of 14
years may be allowed to visit the patient,
but must be accompanied by an adult
other than the patient. However, in
extenuating circumstances, exceptions
may be made at the discretion of the
nurse in collaboration with the patient
or designee. The charge nurse has the
authority to temporarily postpone ICU
visitation depending on emergency
situations or patient activities at that time.
Emergency Room
One family member or support person
is permitted to stay with the patient.
Visitors may be asked to leave during
examination and/or procedures. Cell
phones are not to be used in exam rooms.
In most instances, parents will be allowed
to remain with their children. Visitors
should remain at patient bedside; they
should not be in hallways.
Quiet Time
Our goal is to provide the best possible
hospital experience to patients, their
family members and other visitors.
Research has shown that a quiet
environment enhances healing so we’ve
implemented daily “Quiet Time” from
9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Noise, if reported, is
a primary cause of sleep deprivation
among hospitalized patients. Prolonged
exposure to noise increases anxiety and
stress, which impacts patient safety
contributing to falls, patient confusion,
altered memory, increased agitation and
less tolerance of pain.
Providing a nurturing environment
that is caring, supportive, and healing to
assist the patient to their optimal level
of health is the mission of Meadows
Health. Decreasing unnecessary noise in
patient care areas improve the healing
environment for the patient. This quiet
environment also increases the efficiency
of the healthcare team.
Thank you in advance for helping us
heal humankind, one patient, at a time,
through Quiet Time.
19