Visiting someone in the hospital can lift their spirits and help their care, especially when family members help communicate with staff or support decisions. But hospitals have rules about who can visit, when and how, and these differ by hospital and even by unit. This guide explains the common rules, the federal patient rights behind them, and how to be a helpful visitor.
Always check the hospital's own website or call the unit before you go, since policies can change, for example during an outbreak of flu or another respiratory virus.
Your right to choose your visitors
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation for hospitals include patient visitation rights. Hospitals that take part in Medicare and Medicaid must:
- Have written policies on visitation, including any clinically necessary or reasonable restrictions
- Tell each patient, or their support person, about their visitation rights
- Let patients receive the visitors they designate, including a spouse, a domestic partner (including a same-sex partner), another family member or a friend
- Let patients withdraw consent to a visitor at any time
- Not restrict or deny visitation based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability
- Make sure all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges consistent with the patient's preferences
In other words, the patient, not the hospital or relatives, decides who visits, within the hospital's safety rules.
Typical visiting rules
Hospitals have moved toward more open visiting in many units, but rules usually still cover:
| Rule | Common practice |
|---|---|
| Hours | Many general units allow visits during the day and evening, some around the clock |
| Number of visitors | Often two at a time at the bedside |
| Overnight stays | Often one adult support person, depending on the room and unit |
| Children | Age limits are common, especially in intensive care or during respiratory virus season |
| Check-in | Many hospitals require visitors to sign in and wear a badge |
| Illness | Visitors with fever, cough or other symptoms are asked to stay away |
Rules by unit
Intensive care units
ICUs may limit the number of visitors, ask visitors to step out during procedures, and restrict children. Many ICUs now encourage family presence because it can help patients and support communication.
Maternity units
Labor and delivery units often allow one or two support people, plus a doula. Postpartum units may limit siblings or visitors during certain hours. See How to Choose a Hospital to Give Birth.
Pediatric units and children's hospitals
Parents and guardians are usually allowed at any time and can often sleep in the room. Sibling visits may be limited during virus season. See Children's Hospital vs Pediatric Unit.
Psychiatric units
Visiting hours are usually set and shorter. Visitors may need to leave bags in a locker, and items brought for the patient will be checked for safety. Staff can only share information with visitors if the patient agrees. See How to Get Inpatient Mental Health Care.
Isolation rooms
Patients with certain infections are placed in isolation. Visitors may need to wear gowns, gloves or masks, and should follow the instructions posted on the door.
Support persons for patients with disabilities
Patients with disabilities may need a support person to communicate, make decisions or stay safe. Under federal disability rights laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, hospitals must make reasonable modifications to their policies, which can include allowing a support person even when visiting is otherwise restricted. Several states have also passed laws guaranteeing patients access to at least one support person or visitor.
Being a good visitor
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when entering and leaving the room.
- Stay home if you are sick, and follow masking rules.
- Keep visits short if the patient is tired, and let them rest.
- Keep noise down, especially in shared rooms and at night.
- Step out when staff need privacy for care, unless the patient wants you there.
- Do not bring food, flowers or gifts without checking. Some units do not allow flowers or latex balloons.
- Respect the patient's privacy and the privacy of roommates.
How visitors can help the patient
- Bring a list of medications and the patient's advance directive if they have one.
- Write down questions and answers during rounds.
- Help the patient move, walk or eat if the nurse says it is safe.
- Keep other family members updated so the care team gets fewer repeat calls.
- Notice changes in the patient's alertness or behavior and tell the nurse.
See What to Bring to the Hospital for practical items.
Getting information as a family member
HIPAA allows hospitals to share relevant information with family members and friends involved in a patient's care, unless the patient objects. If the patient cannot agree or object, such as when unconscious, staff may share information if they judge it to be in the patient's best interest. A health care power of attorney makes things clearer if decisions need to be made.