Please fax your NICU visitor policy.....

Specialties NICU

Published

Specializes in NICU, med-surg ICU.

We are in the process of updating our visitor policy to the NICU. We claim to be a family-centered unit but some of our policies don't reflect such a claim. Specifically, we want to know the policies of other units in regard to; at what age can a child visit? are only siblings allowed to visit? what if a multiple were discharged and his sibling remains in the unit, is the d/c'd baby allowed back in? are immunization records required?

Thanks for your consideration. I really need to see some policies rather than just read posts--not my fault, our 'leader' wants proof.

Christine

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

What kind of facility are you working at?

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Specializes in NICU, med-surg ICU.

Sorry, it's been so long in replying. My only excuse is the holidays........

I work in a 15 bed level III unit, small community hospital.

Thanks.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Parents have 24 hour visitation

Parents have unlimited visitors between the hours of 11am and 10pm, only 3 at the bed at one time, one has to be a parent.

No special grandparent hours or etc, they are under visitors

No info to anyone but parents unless there are extentuating circumstances

Siblings must be 3 or older, we do not ask for immunization records, but just ask the parents if they have had their shots and if they have had any live virus ones within the past 30 days (ie inhaled flumist), if any cold symptoms, no entry. We do not restrict even in RSV season, which is stupid since the peds floor does....don't get me started on that one! Any other visitor of kid nature have to be 16 or older (hospital policy).

Once a mulitple goes home, no re-entry into unit.

You can also do a search on NICU's and a lot of them have a page dedicated to them and have their visitation listed there :)

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I am from a large level III unit with 50 + beds. Parents and grandparents can visit anytime but only 2 at a time. Our unit is open to parents and grandparents anytime except during shift change (630-930am and 630-800pm) Parents can bring 2 visitors per day (>16 years old). Grandparents can not bring visitors (HIPPA) Siblings (>5years) of the baby can visit on the week-ends for 30 minutes from 2-4. The parents have to sign a paper stating that the child has not been exposed to anyone with chicken pox and the childs temp is taken. They are not allowed to visit if the temp is >99.0. (We had a mini crisis a few years ago when we learned that the sibling developed chicken pox a day after visiting) It seems that the new thing is to have a litter of children but our policy is that only 2 people in the unit per family. This applies if you have 1 child or 7. (Yes, this can cause some problems with patient satisfaction). Once a child is discharged they can not reeenter. Sorry this is soooo long.

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Specializes in Neonatal.

I'm from a large level III with 50+ beds in the Tampa area. Mom and five other designated people (dad included) can visit but only 2 at a time. Once mom designates the five people on the list, there cannot be substitutions / replacements. Mom is given an information sheet and when she designates and signs, she is agreeing to our policy. If both parents come in, they can bring ONE additional person (the only time we allow that to be broken is if the infant is dying, but then we only allow a total of around five in...can't have 20 people at the bedside).

Visiting hours are anytime except for 0630-0800 and 1830-2000.

Visitors have to be 12 and older. We don't require immunization records.

During visitation, we have asked visitors to leave for a short time and wait in the waiting room if the doc's are rounding, an invasive procedure is going to be performed on the infant, or if something serious is going on with a nearby infant (a code, intubation, death, etc.). Occasionally, we'll allow mom to stay at the bedside during rounds depending on what's going on. If there's a complex case nearby and could violate HIPPA, we'll ask that mom step out also.

No information to anyone but mom (dad can have information but only if they're married and if they're not, dad can have information if mom signs something stating so (same goes for grandparents)).

If a visitor is visibly ill, they're not allowed in. If it's mom she might either be asked to come back another day when she feels better or asked to don a face mask (whichever is appropriate). Every visitor has to take off all hand jewelry (rings, watches, etc.). scrub for 3-minutes from fingertip to elbow, put on a gown, and place all their belongings (purse, camera, etc) in a hospital bag.

Once an infant is discharged, they do not return. If re-admitted they'll go to either Pedi or the PICU.

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