Visitor Policies

Baptist Health Visitor Guidelines

Effective May 19, 2023

• Hospital General Visiting Hours are 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  
  • In the event additional support is needed for the patient, only one (1) single visitor will be allowed to remain after 9:00 pm.
  • Visitors ages 14 years or younger must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
• Critical Care Units:
  
  • Two (2) visitors at a time
  • Specialty ICU hours will apply by unit.
  • Visitors must be 14 years of age or older.
  • Exceptions to number of visitors, visiting hours, or age limitations may be granted in compassionate care situations, such as end-of-life scenario, support for patients with disabilities (including cognitive or developmental disabilities) and other considerations on a case-by-case basis.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU): 
  
  • Six (6) designated visitors during the entire length of stay.
  • Only two (2) visitors may be at the infant’s bedside at a time.
  • Visitors must be 14 years of age or older excluding parents of infant.
• Pediatric Units: 
  
  • Three (3) visitors at a time
  • Only one (1) parent/support person will be allowed to remain after 9:00 pm.
• Labor and Delivery:
  
  • Three (3) designated visitors during the entire length of stay while in Labor and Delivery.
  • Visitors must be 14 years of age or older excluding partner of patient.
• Labor and Delivery Surgical Suites:
  
  • One (1) visitor is allowed in the Surgical Suite during a cesarean section.
  • Birth photographers are NOT allowed in surgery.
  • One (1) visitor is allowed in the Recovery Room after the patient is out of surgery.
  • Visitors must be 18 years of age or older excluding partner of patient.
• Antepartum, Postpartum, and Women’s Services:
  
  • Three (3) visitors at a time during general visiting hours
  •  Only one (1) parent/support person will be allowed to remain after 9:00 pm.
  • Children may visit if accompanied and supervised by an adult.
• Hospital-based Outpatient Procedure 
  
  • Includes Endoscopy, Outpatient Surgery, Interventional Radiology, etc.
  • One (1) visitor during pre-procedure preparations may be permitted after the patient has been placed in a treatment room; this may vary on a case-by-case-basis.
  • This one visitor will be allowed to wait in the waiting area until the patient has completed recovery and is ready for discharge.
  • No more than two (2) visitors may be allowed in the waiting area.
• Emergency Department (ED) patients
  
  • One (1) visitor at a time may be permitted with the exception of pediatric patients who are allowed two (2) parents/guardians.
  • Lobby visitation may be restricted due to volume.
  • Visitors must be 14 years of age or older excluding partner of patient.
• Obstetrics Emergency Department (OB ED)
  
  • One (1) visitor at a time may be permitted.
  • Visitors must be 14 years of age or older excluding partner of patient.
• Daily Minimum Visitation
  
  • Significant visitation restrictions enacted by the hospital should be a rare event.
  • In the event this is deemed necessary due to extraordinary circumstances, the following guidelines should be observed:
    
    • Each day, an essential caregiver should be granted a minimum of two (2) hours of inpatient visitation in all of the following circumstances unless the patient objects in accordance with Alabama State Law:
      • End of life situation.
      • The patient who was living with family prior to admission is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support.
      • The patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
      • The patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
      • The patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
      • The patient who used to talk or interact with others is seldom speaking.
      • For patients in childbirth, including Labor and Delivery.
      • The patient is a pediatric patient.
  • The essential caregiver is entitled to the above in addition to any other visitation authorized by the hospital.
  • The hospital should allow a patient to have visitation with a member of the clergy in the same manner as visitation to an essential caregiver.

Updated 5.19.2023