During cold and flu season it is necessary for Nationwide Children’s to take extra steps to protect the health of our high-risk inpatients by restricting inpatient visitors. Beginning today (Monday, December 2), all inpatient visitors must be healthy and 12 years of age and older for the intensive care units, the neonatal units and Hematology/Oncology.
- Patients/parents will be asked to identify up to four additional people, 12 years of age and older, they wish to visit during their stay. It does not matter what the relationship is to the patient (grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or support person, etc.). Parents should call Admitting by dialing 2-2210 from the room and share the four names chosen. Until this happens only parents and grandparents will be able to visit.
- The four names given will be listed in the patient’s medical record. Only visitors with their name listed will be able to visit the patient for the duration of visitor restrictions. The four names cannot be changed unless approved by the Nurse Manager/designee or the Nursing Supervisor. Please speak with your caregivers if there is a need to make any changes.
- Visitors under 12 years of age will not be able to access the unit, including the waiting rooms, play rooms and family lounges.
- Clergy are allowed to visit and are not included in the four additional names.
We know visitor restrictions can make it hard for families to keep in touch so here are six ways to keep in touch with patients once restrictions are in place.
- Send an ecard! These get delivered directly to the patients.
- Check out our electronic wishing tree! You can post a wish for our patients and their families.
- Patients can borrow Skype units from the Family Resource Center – plan a time to talk!
- Visitors can call the Gift Shop and purchase a Family Gift Card to be delivered to patients.
- Parents can drop off younger siblings (age 3-12 years) at The Clubhouse, a sibling care center.
- Hematology/Oncology patients have access to the Internet through our Patient Edutainment system, so siblings, family and friends can use social media to stay in touch!
Our number one priority is to make sure our patients avoid exposure to the colds and viruses circulating in the community this time of year. Your questions and feedback are important to us. Please do not hesitate to speak with your caregiver about these visitor restrictions.
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