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Visiting Hours and Guidelines

Our visiting policy has changed due to COVID-19. Please CLICK HERE for current visiting information.



Critical Care Units (CVRU, CVTL, CCU, MICU, SICU and NSICU)

Visiting Guidelines

Our facility has open visitation which means there is limited closing of the critical care units. For report times, 6:30-10 a.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m., we are closed to visitors. This is when our shifts change, and we need to focus our time on transferring the care of your loved one.

Family and loved ones are important for a patient’s recovery. We strive to make you a part of the healing process while providing our patients with the time needed to rest. To provide a balance between family contact and rest time, we have developed the following guidelines:

  • Only two (2) visitors are allowed in the unit at one time.
  • Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the ICU.
  • No food or drinks are allowed in patient care areas.
  • No flowers or latex balloons are permitted.
  • Do not use cell phones in the ICU or halls as they can affect hospital equipment.
  • Please keep a quiet environment—do not wake patients, rest is an important part of healing.
  • If we need to provide care to the patient while you are visiting, you’ll be asked to leave the room to protect your loved one’s privacy and dignity.
  • Some critical patients may require decreased visiting hours to aid in the healing process.
  • To ensure the privacy of our patients, no photography or videos are allowed in patient care areas.
  • If there is an emergency in ICU, visitors may be asked to leave. Notification will be provided when the unit is open again for visitation.
  • To protect your loved one and yourself, wash your hands before entering and after leaving their room. Hand washing is the first step in stopping the spread of germs.
  • Isolation is used to prevent the spread of germs. If your loved one is on isolation, you will see a sign on the door outlining what protective equipment to put on before entering their room. Remove this equipment before leaving their room. If you have any questions, please ask the nurse.

Communication

To protect the privacy and safety of our patients, we have developed the following communication guidelines for the ICU:
  • Upon admission to the ICU, the patient’s nurse will provide a hospital phone number to the family for updates. We ask that you designate a family member to serve as a spokesperson.
  • The spokesperson is encouraged to call the ICU for updates and most importantly, keep other family members informed.
  • We prefer no phone calls at change of shift, 6:30-10 a.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m., to ensure accurate transferring of care.
  • All phone messages for family members will be forwarded to the waiting room. We also have a volunteer in the waiting room during the day who may assist you.
  • Due to regulations regarding patient privacy and confidentiality, minimal information will be given over the phone to a designated spokesperson so we can maintain the patient’s privacy.

Waiting Room

The ICU waiting room is located just down the hallway from ICU on the second floor of the hospital. Restrooms are located in this hallway. Vending machines are available around the corner. Additional information:
  • ICU waiting room phone number is (318) 966-3172
  • Please limit the number of people waiting to four per patient—this includes children waiting with parents.
  • Food in the waiting room is limited to drinks and vending machine snacks only.
  • The waiting room is cleaned at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Visitors must leave the waiting room at this time. Please collect all of your belongings and take them with you. Any items, including cups, bottles and food, left in the waiting room during cleaning will be disposed of.
  • Do not leave any personal valuables such as purses and electronic devices unattended. The hospital cannot be responsible for lost items.
  • Overnight stays are limited to no more than three adult visitors age 18 or older per patient.

If you need additional assistance during your loved one's stay in ICU, contact:

Patient Advocate - (318) 966-4352
Case Management - (318) 966-5028
Ethics Committee - provides consultations to help with difficult decisions. Contact them by dialing "0" while in the hospital.

Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

No visitors are allowed during the hours 6 - 9 am and 6 - 9 pm. The unit may be closed to visitors at nursing's discretion from time to time.

Mom, dad and four grandparents have open access daily (with the exception of 6 - 9 am and 6 - 9 pm). Any additional visitors must be physically signed in by mom or dad only, with only two visitors at a time. These visitors must be at least 15 years old and have no fever or cold symptoms.

No visiting children are allowed in the unit during RSV season (October - April). During May - September timeframe only direct siblings are allowed to visit on weekends only. These direct siblings must be 8 years of age or older, and free of fever and cold symptoms.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

Parents have unlimited visitation, except between the hours of: 6:30 - 8:30 am and 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Other visitors over the age of 12 are allowed from 3 pm - 5 pm daily with permission from the family and a nurse. Neurosurgical pediatric patients visits are limited to parents only in 30 minute increments at 9 am, 1 pm, 5 pm, and 9 pm.