General Rules For
Visiting Patients

When patients have large groups of visitors, it becomes more difficult for us to provide appropriate care, particularly in an emergency. To ensure that our patients get adequate rest, receive appropriate privacy and reduce the spread of communicable diseases, only two visitors at a time will be permitted in patients' rooms. A conference room on the hospital's second floor will be available from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for family prayer.

• Any visitor exposed to or having a communicable disease (tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, impetigo, the flu or a cold) should not visit patients.

• Children may visit if accompanied by an adult.

• Immediate family or significant others may be allowed, with approval from the charge nurse, to stay overnight with the patient if in a private room or semi-private room when only one patient occupies the room. Sleeper chairs will be provided if available. Visitors are asked to never sit, lie or sleep on either the patient's or the unoccupied bed in a semi-private room, except for parents staying with a child under twelve years of age.

• When visiting hours are over, it will be announced over the PA system. All visitors are asked to leave the hospital at this time.

• All visitors are reminded of the following regulations when visiting with a patient:

1. Visitors may not smoke.  Labette Health is a Tobacco-Free Campus.
2. Visitors should never sit on patient's bed, lie in patients beds, or congregate in patient areas.
3. Visitors should not place personal belongings on patient beds.
4. Visitors should not bring food or drink to the patient unless they have received permission from the patients physician or nursing staff.
5. Visitors should never use patient's utensils, such as silverware or glasses.
6. To reduce infection, visitors should not use patient bathrooms or shower.
7. Small infants should not be allowed to crawl on the floors of patient rooms or waiting areas.
8. Children under the age of twelve should not be left in the waiting areas without adult supervision.
9. Children 14 years and younger are not allowed as visitors in the Emergency Room.