Visiting Hours & Restrictions

Most hospitals have moved to open visitation hours, meaning anyone can visit at any time. Studies have shown that allowing visitors increased recovery time, reduces anxiety, and improves overall wellbeing. For this reason, many hospitals have incorporated comfortable chairs and even sofa-beds into their rooms, allowing a family member to stay at their loved ones’ side even through the night. However, certain wards have more stringent requirements.

ICU:

  • Visitation hours limited
  • Limited number of visitors at a time
  • May allow immediate family only
  • May restrict visitor age (children > 12 years)
  • May need to be buzzed in (locked ward)
  • No cell phones
  • Not allowed if cold/cough/flu symptoms

Neonatal ICU (NICU):

  • Always a locked ward
  • Parents allowed 24/7
  • Other visitors limited
    • Limited number
    • Age restriction (children >12)
  • No cell phones
  • Not allowed if cold/cough/flu symptoms
  • Must wash hands before entering

What can Visitors Bring?

Another important question is what can your characters bring with them when they visit the hospital. Flowers, fresh fruits, and other plants are wellsprings of potential infection, so many hospitals don’t allow visitors to bring in their own. Instead, they have to put in an order through the hospital florist, who will then bring floral arrangements to pre-approved rooms. Food is also closely regulated in the hospital; it’s one thing if your character occasionally snacks on a peppermint from the bottom of her purse, but if her family is sneaking in cheeseburgers while she’s on a diabetic diet, that’s a big no-no.

COVID Changes

During the COVID-19 pandemic, of course, all this has changed. While every hospital has its own unique set of rules, the general theme of social distancing remains. To that end, many hospitals do not allow any visitors on the floors or units. Hospitalized patients communicate with their families through their phones or video chat. Even delivery rooms often don’t allow visitors, or if they do, it is a single support person, usually the spouse or partner. Clinics also have established limitations, meaning that your character’s family may not be able to go with them to see their oncologist or cardiologist. In real life, these changes are incredibly stressful, but in writing, they make for some excellent opportunities to push your characters outside their comfort zone. How would your character feel if he heard his baby’s heartbeat for the first time through a Zoom call while sitting in the clinic parking lot? Would your character with mild dementia feel as if she were losing her mind while stuck alone in a hotel room without any of her family or personal effects to keep her grounded? There’s a lot of story potential here.