VISITOR POLICY
1) Queen of the Valley Medical Center complies with health orders regarding visitation during infectious disease outbreaks from the Napa County health department, the California Department of Public Health, and any other regulatory agency with the authority to issue a public health order. Hospital visitation may be limited based on recommendations from CDPH, the CDC, or local public health.
2) Patients have the right to select a primary support person, defined as a significant individual of the patient's choosing that provides them with the physical, psychological, or emotional support during their hospitalization. This includes inpatient, outpatient, and observation stays.
3) Patients have the right to determine who may or may not visit them, and this is not restricted to family members. Additionally, patients may withdraw from or deny visitation by others at any time. When this occurs, it should be communicated with the care team as soon as possible.
4) Visitation will not be restricted or denied based on race, color, national origin, culture, language, physical or mental disability, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other criteria disallowed by law.
5) Visitors are not allowed in restricted areas (such as perioperative and procedural areas) without being accompanied by a hospital caregiver.
6) Visitor identification may be checked upon entering the facility, and a visitor badge may be issued.
7) Visitors may be subject to additional security measures such as visual or wand inspection of their person or belongings or going through a metal detector.
8) There is no specific limit to the number of visitors who may visit at a time, or the duration of visits. However, in situations where a patient is being cared for in a semi-private room, visitation must not be disruptive or impede a healing environment for the other patient. In these circumstances, visitation may be limited at the discretion of the primary nurse in collaboration with the charge or lead nurse, nursing supervisor, or unit manager.
a) When large numbers of visitors cannot be reasonably accommodated, it is recommended that visitors visit in rotation. Staff will work with patients, family members, and guests to develop a visitation plan.
9) Children are welcome with adult supervision other than the patient. The patient cannot be responsible for supervising children.
10) There are no specific age restrictions for child visitors. It is recommended that for younger children, visitation be tailored to their developmental stage, attention span, and behavioral abilities.
11) All visitors are expected to behave respectfully. Disruptive, aggressive, or violent visitors will be removed from the facility. Additional behaviors that may result in removal include bringing in contraband (drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, non-prescription medications, weapons), failing to address unruly children, and sleeping on premises in unapproved spaces.
12) Visitors who are ill are asked to refrain from visiting patients. Visitors may be asked to practice respiratory hygiene and wear a mask.
13) Visitors are expected to stay in the patient's room or wait in designated waiting areas. It is not permissible to congregate in or block hallways.
14) Quiet hours extend from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. It is encouraged that visitation occur outside these hours to promote a restful environment. Visitors on premises during quiet hours are required to acknowledge them by remaining quiet so that patients may rest.
15) Overnight visitation:
a) Overnight visits by a family member or support person are supported. A family member/support person may stay in the patient's room at night with approval of the shift lead nurse, nursing supervisor, or unit manager with the expectation of remaining quiet without patient or unit disruption.
b) Infants may stay with their mother so long as there is another adult staying to care for the infant.
c) Reasonable efforts to accommodate the overnight visitor will be made. However, it is to be understood that patient care is the priority, and overnight visitors are expected to awaken when morning activities commence.
1) Emergency Department
a) Visitors are welcome in the Emergency Department. Patients may have visitors of any age at any time of the day.
b) It is preferable to have a maximum of two visitors per patient at a time. Visitors may be restricted depending on patient flow and the condition of the patient. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
c) Behavioral health patients may have visitors as long as the visit is conducive to the health and wellbeing of the patient. Visitors may not bring personal belongings or food into the patient's room. Any item approved for the patient will be checked by security or staff before being allowed in the room.
2) Intensive Care Unit
a) Visitors are welcome in the Intensive Care Unit. Patients may have visitors of any age at any time of the day.
b) It is preferable to have a maximum of two visitors per patient at a time. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, such as in cases where death is imminent.
3) Labor and Delivery/Obstetrics
a) Two healthy visitors, not including the patient's partner.
b) The doula is not counted as a visitor.
c) For surrogate mothers, both legal parents are allowed in the delivery room.
d) For patients requiring cesarean section, one adult support person will be allowed in the Operating Room. This decision will be made at the discretion of the anesthesiologist and the obstetrician caring for the patient.
4) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
a) There are no visiting hour restrictions for parents/guardians of NICU patients.
b) Two visitors are allowed in the NICU at a time.
c) One visitor must be a banded parent or guardian. Minors are limited to the newborn's siblings and must always be supervised.
d) Exceptions may be made for special circumstances such as baptism, blissing, or impending death.
5) Perioperative/Procedural Areas
a) One visitor at a time when patient care activities allow.
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