Exceptions to this policy may only be made by the charge nurse in consultation with the nurse manager or on the evening, night and weekends shifts, with the house supervisor covering that area. These exceptions must be considered carefully and should follow our current administrative policy on visiting hours and regulations. The policy states that special visiting privileges are considered for terminal care, critical care situations and urgent admissions where the patient and family has not had time to make child care arrangements. Other exceptions may be necessary (e.g, mother of pediatric patient is also breast-feeding the sibling of the patient).

When visitors with a child present to the front desk, they will be informed that children 12 years and under are not allowed to visit.  If they insist that they have circumstances which meet the above exceptions, the front desk staff will call the charge nurse on the unit to inquire if the child may visit. Only the charge nurse or nurse caring for the patient may make the decision for the child to come to the unit. A nurse must screen the child for signs and symptoms of fever with other upper respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat). 

The nurse must contact the house supervisor to further discuss the circumstances and whether the visit is appropriate. If the child has these symptoms, they are to leave the unit with a responsible adult. If they are negative for these symptoms, then they are to have a pass placed on the front of their clothing indicating that they have been screened. For patients who are admitted urgently and children came with the patient, the family must be informed that they must make arrangements for the children who are 12 and under to be cared for by someone else as soon as possible. 

The screening visitor passes can still be ordered through Staples. The order number is Z58UNCHD5989. 

It is imperative that every charge nurse take this responsibility seriously and make every attempt to not permit pediatric visitors. This is to protect our patients and our staff.