NICU Visitor Guidelines
To help maintain the health and privacy of all of our NICU patients, here are a few guidelines:
1. Only those persons having the appropriate identification band may visit your baby independently. A maximum of two bands are given per child - typically one to mom and the other to her significant other. All other visitors must be accompanied by someone with the proper identification band.
2. Anyone telephoning the NICU will be asked to verify the ID number of either mom or baby before any information will be given.
3. Babies in the NICU are very susceptible to infections. All visitors, including parents, should be free of transmittable diseases including colds, cold sores, sore throat, flu symptoms, vomiting, or diarrhea.
4. All visitors must be fever free for 24 hours prior to visiting.
5. During cold and flu seasons, outbreaks of other contageous illnesses, and at the neonatologist's discretion, we may limit visitation.
6. No more than four people are allowed at the baby's bedside at one time, and must include at least one person with an ID band.
7. Visitors must be 13 years old or older, with the exception of siblings who may visit at any age as long as they are healthy.
8. Well-behaved siblings are welcome to visit the NICU but must be accompanied by an adult. If the adult is going to be involved with the baby's care, such as feeding the baby, a second adult is preferred to be present to attend to the sibling.
9. Babies are sensitive to strong odors. We discourage any strong smelling perfumes or cigarette smoking prior to entering the NICU.
10. Before entering the NICU, everyone must do a two-minute hand and arm wash. Directions are posted at the scrub sink by the entrance. Scrub brushes are available for visible soiling.
11. Please stay at your baby's bedside. Approaching other bedsides is not allowed. In order to protect the privacy of each baby and family, we cannot share information about other babies.
12. There is no food or drink allowed at the baby's bedside, except for water in a covered container.
13. No fresh cut flowers are allowed in the NICU.
14. Parents and visitors are not allowed in the NICU on Wednesday mornings between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. This is to ensure patient privacy during medical grand rounds.
15. Staff have the responsibility to ask any disruptive person to leave the NICU. There is a Family Waiting Room available for those who need to leave during their visit in order to maintain a quiet, healing environment in the NICU.
