Visiting the PICU/PCCC
Before You Visit
We will ask parents for a list of adults who are allowed to visit, and their names will be put on a visitors list. When parents are not at the hospital, only those on the list will be permitted to visit the child.
Only 4 people may be at the child’s bedside at any time. This is because space is limited, and because it’s important to limit noise and other stimulation for our patients. At any time, nurses may limit the number of people in the room for the patient’s safety or for medical necessity. During active flu season, more limited visitor restrictions can be put in place.
Siblings are welcome to visit the PICU during visiting hours, as long as they don’t have colds, fever or other illnesses.
When You Visit
Wash Your Hands
We ask that everyone wash their hands for at least 20 seconds when entering and leaving the patient’s room. Hand washing is the single most important factor to prevent infection.
Stop at the Reception Desk
All parents and visitors are asked to stop at the reception desk at every visit and tell the secretary which patient you are seeing. Before visitors may go in to see the patient, the secretary will contact the patient’s nurse to make sure there are no procedures occurring in the room.
Visitors Will be Screened for Illnesses
The secretary/nurse will screen all visitors for colds and other illnesses. Because sick children are so vulnerable, it is very important that anyone who has a cold, fever or diarrhea not visit the unit. A parent who has a cold might be able to visit, but will be required to wear a mask.
Additional Guidelines
Cell Phones
Cell phones are permitted in patient rooms. Please keep phones on vibrate so that they don’t disturb the patient. A cell phone charging station is available for family use in the PICU/PCCC waiting room.
Food and Drinks in Patient's Room
Parents are allowed to eat in the PICU/PCCC private rooms if their child is able to eat in their room. If the patient is in one of the PCCC bay beds, family members need to eat in the PICU/PCCC family waiting room. If patients are unable to eat or drink in the room, family members are asked to eat in the PICU/PCCC family waiting room as we would like to discourage having patients see or smell food while unable to eat. Refrigerators are available; please see your nurse for stickers with your child's name to label and date your items before putting them in the refrigerator. You are welcome to have covered drinks in your child's room.
Balloons
For safety reasons, latex balloons are not permitted in the hospital. Mylar balloons may be taped to the outside of the patient’s door. Staff need to be able to access your child in the event of an emergency, so balloons are never allowed in patient rooms.
Live Plants and Flowers
For infection control purposes, live plants and flowers are not permitted in patient rooms.
Masking is encouraged for patients and visitors, and masks will be provided on request. In some areas where patients may be especially vulnerable, such as the Wilmot Cancer Center tower and select outpatient infusion centers and clinical areas, everyone is required to mask in all patient and public areas. Please adhere to signage in those areas and/or staff requests for you to mask.
Visiting Hours & Rules
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Parent/Guardian must be present for visitors to be allowed up to a patient room.
- Parents/guardians can choose support people who may visit when the parents are not there. These people will be added to the visitor list in the medical record.
- Visitors under the age of 18 years old may be allowed to visit, if approved by the parent/guardian and an adult is present. In our intensive care units, visitors who are not siblings, must be 12 years old or older.
- All visitors will get a badge at the GCH Guest Services desk, This badge needs to be worn at all times. For safety reasons, visitors must show photo identification.
- 4 visitors at the bedside at a time.
- At the discretion of the treatment team or unit leadership, we may request a limitation of 2 people at the bedside
- Up to 2 parents/guardians may stay overnight depending on the unit. On some units, like the NICU and Pediatric Surgical Center, sleeping accommodation will be provided for one parent. Please check with unit leadership.
Siblings of Patients
- Siblings are not permitted to visit in the Pediatric Surgical Center
- General Care – siblings may visit during visiting hours
- ICUs (NICU, PICU, PCCC) – Siblings ages 3 and older are permitted for supervised visits, based on the acuity of the patient. There may be further restrictions at the unit level.
- No one under the age of 18 will be allowed to spend the night unless they are the patient’s parent
- NICU Sibling Guidelines
- Siblings 3 years old and up may visit in the NICU.
- Discuss the best time for a sibling visit with your baby’s nurse.
- Siblings must be supervised by an adult at all times.
- Siblings must be free of any signs of illness (runny nose, fever, cough, etc.).
- A Sibling Health Screen will be completed by a nurse before for each visit.
- Siblings may be asked to step out for rounds or change of shift if their behavior interferes with the safe exchange of information. Nursing change of shift is between 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.
NICU Visitation
Read all the NICU visitation guidleines.
Pediatric Emergency Department
2 parents/guardians at a time with the patient, when volume and safety within the department permit.