I am doing research for my unit and we are curious about the different nicu visitation policies and if there are changes made to the policy for RSV season. If you could share your hospital's policy, it would be a huge help! I'm looking for certain things, so I'll put my hospital info down for example:
hospital
(Methodist)
nicu level
(III)
private patient rooms
(yes)
number at bedside
(unlimited, nurse controlled but not written in policy)
who can visit
(parents and grandparents 24/7 all other visitors must be with a parent in order to visit)
when can you visit
(24/7)
sibling
(any age may visit, nonsiblings >2y)
rsv guidelines
(limited to parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles 24/7. aunts and uncles must be with a parent. siblings >12y)
other
(grandparents may not bring anyone with them but may visit without the parents present, if given permission by the parents. all other visitors, during standard visitation and RSV visitation, must be with a parent.)
private patient rooms - yes, all with some twin rooms
number at bedside - 2 visitors plus 2 parents; 4 max per family (includes multiples); front desk controlled, charge nurse may override in special circumstances (usually death of baby)
who can visit - parents can bring anyone over 12; 4 support people can be designated to enter alone
when can you visit - parents 24/7 and may spend the night; everyone else 9-9 except during report
sibling - over 2
rsv guidelines - temp and short health questionnaire completed at front desk year round
private patient rooms - only 2 iso rooms, unit separated into bays
number at bedside - we literally have no limit...crazy
who can visit - 4 people selected by parents without them there, anybody else outside of that with parents (restrictions on time for children, siblings only)
when can you visit - parents 24/7, can sleep at bedside. other designated visitors also 24/7. children 4-8pm
private patient rooms Mostly, some "twin" rooms that end up as shared.
number at bedside 2, including parents (I personally wish it didn't include parents, so grandparents and parents could visit together)
who can visit Parents 24/7 All others 8-8 There's a list, parents can add whoever they want. No children who are not siblings.
siblings - yes, with health screening, up to date on shots.
RSV guidelines During RSV season, no one under 12, even siblings. Anyone with any respiratory symptoms is not allowed on the floor. I was surprised how strict. When I first started, I had a mild runny nose/cough, no fever. Other hospitals I worked at, the typical policy was wear a mask, come in anyway. I was wearing a mask as I came in and one of the docs saw me, and let me know they don't follow that - any respiratory symptoms, you go home until they are gone. I like that they do that.
other: We give free flu shots to families, heavily encourage TDaP boosters for everyone. We do bend the rules for babies who are dying, we allow more visitors/unofficial times/siblings during RSV if it doesn't pose obvious risk to other patients/etc if they need to be able to say goodbye.
private patient rooms: 8 isolation rooms, 62 non private, We have 2 private "rooming-in" rooms.
number at bedside: total of 3, no matter the season.
who can visit: parents/grandparents, siblings age > 14 y/o
During non-RSV season we have sibling visitation for those >4y/o; it is set up with SW and there are guidelines. Must be current/show proof of vaccinations and not currently ill. They are allowed to stay (in minutes their age x2); example 5 y/o can stay and visit 10 minutes
when can you visit: 24/7
RSV guidelines: only parents/grandparents; must show proof of flu vaccine or wear mask while on unit.
other: same as yours; grandparents can visit whenever as long as parents approve or otherwise stated on the chart. Anyone else must be accompanied by a parent. Special accommodations are taken for Bereavement.
NICUmiiki, DNP, NP
1,775 Posts
nicu level - III
private patient rooms - yes, all with some twin rooms
number at bedside - 2 visitors plus 2 parents; 4 max per family (includes multiples); front desk controlled, charge nurse may override in special circumstances (usually death of baby)
who can visit - parents can bring anyone over 12; 4 support people can be designated to enter alone
when can you visit - parents 24/7 and may spend the night; everyone else 9-9 except during report
sibling - over 2
rsv guidelines - temp and short health questionnaire completed at front desk year round