Updated October 8, 2024
Download a PDF of our visitor policy
Having a support system of family, friends and loved ones is an important part of the healing process – physically and mentally. At Barnes-Jewish Hospital we strive to provide a positive patient experience across our hospital. A standard visitor policy is part of that experience.
Visiting virtually through phone calls, FaceTime, or other virtual methods are an option for those who choose not to visit in person. If a patient is interested in a virtual visit, but unable to coordinate on their own, the Barnes-Jewish Hospital care team can help facilitate through the BJC Virtual Visitor Program.
No weapons are allowed in the hospital. Visitors, staff and patients will pass through an electronic security screening system.
Below please find details from our visitor policy.
- Patient’s Right of Visitation
- All patients have the right to receive visitors during their inpatient admission or while receiving care in outpatient service areas (e.g., emergency department, outpatient surgery or procedure areas, clinic visits, or other outpatient services), with limited exceptions. Patients, or their legal guardian or legal representative, may also designate who may visit during their visit.
- A patient has the right to limit all visitors and/or limit a particular visitor or visitors.
- A patient has a right to change his/her mind at any time about accepting visits from anyone, including family members or friends.
- The facility will ensure that visitors have access to a patient in a manner consistent with the patient’s preferences.
- The facility will not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny a patient’s visitation rights, or limit who a patient may have as a visitor, based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
- Visitor Code of Conduct
BJC HealthCare is committed to providing extraordinary care to our patients and families while we maintain a safe, healing, and respectful environment for everyone at our facilities, including our staff. Our Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct sets clear expectations for all to help us meet this goal.
We ask our patients and visitors to help us provide a safe and healing place of care by being:
- Kind.
- Respectful.
- Polite.
- Considerate.
- Aware of personal space.
- Cooperative with our care teams and staff.
The following harmful behaviors will not be tolerated:
- Physical assault.
- Intimidation.
- Physical or verbal threats.
- Harassment, including photographing staff or other patients and visitors without their consent.
- Verbal aggression, including yelling or other actions which disrupt the care and treatment of our patients.
- Use of inappropriate language, including profanity, sexual, vulgar, or rude language.
- Possession of firearms or any weapon on our premises.
- Using or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol (with exceptions for those patients requesting or undergoing treatment).
- Offensive comments about race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or personal traits, or the refusal to see a clinician or associate based on these traits.
If there are concerns you have violated the Code of Conduct, you will be given the chance to explain your point of view or actions, so long as doing so doesn’t further endanger other patients, visitors, or staff.
If these guidelines are not followed:
- Patients: You may be asked to leave and make other plans for your non-emergent care needs. If you are not yet stable/medically cleared for discharge, the leadership team will coordinate a plan with your care team to prevent escalation of harmful behaviors until you are ready to be discharged. Repeated violations of the Code of Conduct may lead to review of your status as a patient for non-emergency care.
- Visitors: If you fail to comply with the above expectations, you may be asked to leave the premises, and may be restricted from future visitation privileges.
If you witness or are the target of any of these behaviors, please report it to a member of your care team. BJC will support staff who want to report instances of workplace violence that they experienced due to a patient or visitor to local law enforcement.
- Visiting Hours and Conditions
| Area/Dept |
Total Number of Visitors Permitted |
Visiting Hours (Minimum of 6 per day) |
|
Emergency Department (ED)
|
- 2 visitors at bedside
- Must remain with patient in room or treatment area for safety and privacy of all patients unless visitor’s personal care is needed, i.e., food or restroom
- Waiting room visitors may vary if patient surge or capacity issues arise, but cannot prohibit all visitors
- Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed
- Visitor badges will be issued to all patients and visitors upon arrival and must be visible to staff while visitor is with patient and in facility
- Compassionate exceptions considered on an as-needed basis to support patients and families
|
|
|
Inpatient and ICU
|
- 2 visitors in semi-private and isolation rooms
- 4 visitors in private rooms
- If space is limited in ICU rooms, visitors may be restricted to 2
- Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed
- One overnight visitor per patient (age 18+) may be permitted to stay on site, either in the waiting room or at the bedside depending on space constraints and patient condition
- Overnight visitors for patients in the ICU and Special Care units need a pass from nursing station
- Special Care units may include, but are not limited to Cardiothoracic ICU, Pulmonary Progressive Unit, Neuro ICU, Medical ICU, Oncology | Surgical ICU and Cardiac and Neuro ICU
|
- 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. per day
- Quiet hours from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. per day
|
| Inpatient Hematology Malignancies, Bone Marrow Transplant & Cellular Therapy, Medical Oncology Units: 8800, 9800, 10800, 11800, 12800 |
Visitors may NOT visit if:
- You have received any of the following vaccines in the last 21 days: oral polio, Varivax/Zostavax (varicella), smallpox or the nasal flu mist (7 days).
- You have been exposed to any of the following diseases:
- Influenza/RSV in the last 7 days
- Measles/COVID in the last 14 days
- Chickenpox, Pertussis, Mumps or Rubella in the last 21 days
- Visitors with cold, flu or gastroenteritis symptoms will not visit. Symptoms may include fever (≥ 100° F), cough, chills, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea within the previous 48 hours, unusual or new rash. Any visitor with other than clear nasal or pulmonary secretions may not visit.
|
|
| Labor and Delivery |
- No limit on number or age of visitors during labor, but minors must be accompanied by adult. Those under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult age 18+ other than the patient.
- Only 3 visitors at bedside
- Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed
- Family and friends may stay overnight in the labor and delivery waiting room prior to delivery
- The patient’s primary support person is encouraged to stay overnight in the patient’s room to provide support and care for mom and newborn
- Medical condition of the patient (mom or baby) may require more limited visitation
- Special visitor considerations will occur during flu season
|
- 24/7 during labor and delivery, at discretion of patient
|
| Post-Partum |
- Only 4 visitors at bedside
- No restrictions on age, but minors must be accompanied by adult. Those under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult age 18+ other than the patient
- To promote rest and quality care, visiting hours may be limited
- Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed
- 1 overnight visitor
- Overnight visitors must be 18 years or older and their visit must be consistent with the well-being of the patient
- The patient’s primary support person is encouraged to stay overnight in the patient’s room to provide support and care for mom and newborn
- Medical condition of the patient (mom or baby) may require more limited visitation
- Special visitor considerations will occur during flu season
|
|
| Newborn Assessment Center |
Each newborn admitted to the Newborn Assessment Center (NAC) should have a designated visitor list on file with the hospital.
- Names can be changed daily.
- Only 2 visitors in the NAC at any given time.
- Visitors under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.
- Visitors must obtain a visitor badge from the Women & Infants Security Desk and receive a new badge each day.
|
|
| Outpatient Surgery or Procedure |
- 2 visitors, but facility may limit visitors to 1 due to space constraints and safety considerations
- Limited visitation is allowed in recovery rooms (exceptions may apply); staff will provide instruction
- In pre-op (time before procedure), 1 to 2 visitors will be allowed at the discretion of the care team and may vary based on procedure
- Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed
|
- May accompany patient to surgery or procedure and stay until patient is discharged
|
| Clinic Visits |
- 2 visitors, but facility may limit visitors to 1 due to space constraints and safety considerations
- Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed
|
- May accompany patient to appointments, treatments, provider visits, or care planning sessions
|
| Outpatient Visits |
- 2 visitors, but facility may limit visitors to 1 due to space constraints and safety considerations
- Visitors may swap in and out, not to exceed maximum number allowed
|
- May accompany patient in designated waiting areas
|
| BJC Behavioral Health |
- Includes units 15300, 15400, 15500, and the Psychiatric Support Center
- 2 visitors at a time are allowed in common area
- Visitors are not allowed in patient rooms
- Children under 14 are not allowed on units
- Visiting times may be further individualized to meet the needs of the patient
|
- Daily between 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
|