Hospital Visiting Policies

Many of our patients have weakened immune systems. Please do not visit the hospital if you have any symptoms of illness or if you have been recently exposed to anyone with symptoms of illness or anyone who has been diagnosed with a contagious illness. 

Visitor Guidelines 

CHKD's visitation policies are based on safety, and may change in response to special situations or needs.

The information below is intended to serve as a guideline. You will receive specific information for your child's unit upon admission. 

Please help us maintain the best possible environment for healing. Anyone who displays abusive, threatening, or disruptive behavior or appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be asked to leave and/or be denied visiting privileges.

Main Hospital Visitation Policies  

Parents/caregivers may visit 24/7. One parent may spend the night. 

Children who, prior to admission, had a documented physical, sensory, mental, or emotional impairment that substantially limited one or more activities of daily living may have one designated support person with them at any time.

Visting hours for others is 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors may be asked to leave for brief periods, such as shift change reports or during procedures. 

Number of Visitors Allowed

Outside of the NICU, PICU, and 7D, patients may have up to six designated visitors ages 12 and older for the duration of their stay. You will be asked to provide these names after your child is admitted to the unit. Visitors will be asked to show identification at the main registration desk in the lobby before being allowed up to visit the unit. 

A maximum number of three people may be at a patient's bedside at one time, which may be further limited depending on the size of the room and the severity of the patient's illness.

Brothers and Sisters

Siblings age 12 years of age and older who are not showing signs of illness are welcome in their brother's or sister's room between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. while a parent is present. These siblings do not count toward the six authorized visitors but do count toward the maximum number of individuals permitted at the bedside

Visitation Policies for 7D

In most circumstances, visitation shall be limited to the parents/caregivers only. Visitors must be at least 18 years old and  no more than two visitors are permitted at a time.

Hospitalized patients with a positive COVID-19 test and patients under investigation for COVID-19: 

Two parents/guardians are permitted for the duration of the inpatient stay. No other visitors are permitted for these patients. Parents/guardians are required to remain in the patient’s room unless they are leaving/returning (walking between the front door of the hospital and the patient’s room) once per 12-hour nursing shift. Masks are required at all times.  

Visitors who do not follow these guidelines put others at risk and may therefore be subject to additional limitations, including total loss of visitation privileges.

If visiting a hospitalized patient with a positive COVID-19 test, please do not:

• visit other patients and/or families in the hospital.
• visit if you are sick or have a fever.

Masking Policy

Patients and visitors are no longer required to wear a mask at all times within a CHKD facility. Patients who are seeking treatment for a viral illness such as COVID-19 or the flu should continue to mask to prevent spreading the virus to others. This simple act could save the life of a child with a compromised immune system.

Revised: 12/08/2023