Fathers/significant others may visit for as long as they wish, preferably between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM. However, the following guidelines must be observed.

• Fathers/significant others will not be considered as one of the four visitors permitted during visiting hours.
• Nursing procedures may, at times, interrupt the visit.
• The visitor may be asked to leave the room if, at any time, his/her presence interferes with the privacy of the other patient in the room.
• The visitor must be free of any infections (colds, fever sores, etc.)
• Sleeping accommodations for fathers may be arranged in private rooms upon request.

At the discretion of the nurse in charge, all visits may be limited. We ask for your cooperation on these rare, emergent situations.

To promote the needed rest after childbirth, to provide time for educational opportunities, and to ensure safety and security, general visiting is limited to 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM each day for all family members and friends other than fathers, siblings and grandparents.

As part of our family-centered care philosophy, we encourage visits by the newborn’s siblings and grandparents. The following guidelines for sibling visits are to ensure the health and safety of your newborn.

• No child or any visitor with a fever or symptoms of a communicable illness, including upper respiratory infection, diarrhea, or any skin rash or lesions will be permitted to visit.
• No child or any visitor who has been recently exposed to a known communicable disease (e.g. chicken pox) or any other viral illness will be permitted to visit.
• The visiting sibling will visit only his or her sibling. Throughout the visit, sibling activity will be supervised by the parents/grandparents and limited to mother's room. Siblings will not be permitted to enter the Nursery. It is suggested that sibling visits be limited to one hour in length.
• Parents, siblings, and grandparents MUST WASH THEIR HANDS prior to handling the newborn. Since most infections are transmitted by hand contact, good hand washing is essential and should be practiced even after you and your newborn leave the hospital.
• Children under 12 years, who are not siblings, will not be allowed to visit the Maternity Unit. (Siblings are the brothers and sisters of the newborn.)