Patient Visitation

Visitation Policy

GCGH’s visitor policy:
We understand that situations differ with various patient needs and decisions for visitation may be on a case-by-case basis with the safety of our staff, patients and community at the forefront of each decision. For up to date COVID-19 information and guidelines, click here.

• To recognize that rest and quiet times are an important part of the healing process, we prefer visitors from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. with quiet time hours of 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• We prefer no visitors under the age of 18.

• 2 visitors for Outpatient Services.

• ICU patients may have 2 visitors throughout their stay. This also depends on the situation and our staff is allowed to restrict or allow visitors, if necessary.

• Med/Surg and OB patients may have no more than 3 visitors throughout their stay. This also depends on the situation and our staff is allowed to restrict visitors, if necessary.

Emergency Department patients may have 1-2 visitors. This also depends on the situation and our staff is allowed to restrict visitors, if necessary.
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If not under visitor restriction or suspension, all patients have the right to visitation except as outlined below.

• Visitation is supported as follows:

  • Patients have the right to select who may or may not visit them regardless of whether or not that person is legally related to the patient.

  • Patients and/or their representatives will be fully informed of their visitation rights on admission including any clinical restrictions or care whenever possible and when he/she is informed of their patient rights.

  • Visitors will not be restricted based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability

  • Clinical restrictions and limitation decisions will be based on the health and safety of the visitors and patients.
     

• Visitation may be restricted under the following clinically necessary and/or reasonable circumstances:

  • Patient is undergoing care interventions;

  • Presence of infection control issues;

  • Visitation may interfere with the care of other patients;

  • Existence of court orders restricting contact (of which the hospital is aware);

  • Disruptive, threatening or violent behavior of any kind;

  • Patient need for privacy or rest;

  • Need for limitation of the number of visitors during a specific time;

  • Need for minimum age requirements for child visitors.
     

When someone is sick or in the hospital, a visit can help cheer them up. But it’s also important to remember that when someone is sick, they may not be in the mood to see many people. So it’s a good idea to be sensitive to a patient’s needs.
References: Federal Register Vol 75, #223, 482.13 and 485.635
Original: 1977
Revised: 1993, 8/1/99, 7/1/02, 5/1/05, 11/1/08, 2/1/12, 6/29/21, 4/18/22