Visitation

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · May 20, 2010

Our inpatient units (except the ICUs) were designed to allow a parent to sleep on a bunk next to the patient. One. Singular. There are occassionally grandmothers, aunts, older siblings who will spell off Mom and Dad and that's okay, but we don't allow everyone who has ever met the child to camp in the room.

tewdles, RN · May 21, 2010

You need to write a policy...FAST...and make regular accomodations for a family member to stay overnight with your pedi patients.

There is good reason to allow a parent or designee to stay in the room with the non-ICU pedi patient...but you do not want to be pushed around by overbearing families. A thoughtful policy with adequate facilities for the parents will generate a lot of good will from patients and families and also from the staff.

SdepRN · May 22, 2010

In my hospital we really don't have a policy either. There have been times when the child in in the bed & Mom, Dad, Grandma, & siblings are squeezed into the room; some on the pull out couch, chair & even floor. It gets pretty rediculous. A lot of people make the hospital their own hotel.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · May 22, 2010

hi,
my unit has no policy on visitation to the pediatric unit. lately we have been having some issue with multiple family members and siblings visiting and requesting to stay as guest while a pediatric patient is hospitalized. can some give me suggestions as to your policy for visiting and sleeping over.
thanks,
donna

i have worked on several peds units. on all units family, extended family, was encouraged to visit during visiting hours. we would caution against visitors under 3 due to the risk of their catching something in the hospital, but if the family's wanted to take that risk, so be it. after visiting hours end, only the parents were allowed to stay the night. if it is a private room, both parents can stay. however, in a double room, we only have room for one parent.

good luck!