HOSPITAL ETIQUETTEWhat is expected of you as a hospital visitor? As a hospitalized patient did you wonder what your visitors thought? Here are some of the visitation policies which make sense.
As a PATIENT, you have certain rights including:
o Respectful treatment and to be allowed modesty (guests should knock and ask if they may enter/visit)
o Adequate time to rest and to eat meals
o A "no visitors" sign posted on your room door, if needed
o Proper hand hygiene by all visitors and hospital staff who enter the room
Here are my GUIDELINES FOR VISITORS to the hospital or to other in-patient facilities:
o Avoid visits at mealtime or before lunch
o Limit visits to 20 minutes (shorter if the patient looks tired or in pain)
o Read notes on the room door for special instructions
o Be sensitive to unmet [patient] needs and ask if you can notify the staff
o Don't sit with your back to a bright light (the person can't see your face)
o Check before a visit to someone in ICU (generally, only family or pastoral staff may visit the ICU)
o Use a moderate tone of voice
o Let the person being visited talk
o Offer inspiration through printed materials or a prayer
Use of these guidelines will assure that both the visitor and the patient have a pleasant experience.
In His Service,
Nicki Reynolds, RN
