COVID-19 Visitation Information

Effective Monday, April 25, 2022 Children’s of Alabama will expand visitation to allow siblings in all areas with exceptions in the Emergency Department and Surgery. Visitation will now be limited to two parents/caregivers and siblings. No other visitors will be allowed.

Visitation Policy

• Mask must be worn in hospital common areas and while staff is in the room.
• Inpatient visitation hours: 9am – 9pm.
• Max of 4 people at any one-time (includes parents, siblings, extended family, and others).
• After 9pm: only 2 parents OR caregivers permitted. All others must leave the hospital.
• Parent/caregiver should be present in patient’s room to receive other visitors.
• Visitation restrictions may apply when:
  • Clinically necessary
  • Infection prevention practices dictate
    • We are currently under our Seasonal Visitation Guidelines:
    • Siblings and children under the age of 12 are not allowed to visit at any time
    • Parents, family, and visitors who have fever, cough, or other flu/infectious symptoms are not allowed to visit
  • Patient is on isolation

Exceptions:

• Visitor guidelines may vary on critical care units, including age restrictions for siblings and other children.
• Flu vaccine is recommended for visitors on some critical care units.
• Visitors who have received live viral vaccines in the last 30 days are not permitted on some units.
• Visitation hours and guidelines differ on the Behavioral Health unit and are discussed upon admission to Behavioral Health.
• Outpatient clinics, Primary Care Practices, One Day surgery, the Heart Center and the Emergency Department each follow their own visitation guidelines that may differ from those listed above.

Visitation Guidelines for COVID Positive Patients

COVID Positive Patients

• COVID positive patients admitted to inpatient units may have two parents/caregivers remain at patient’s bedside.
• Parents/Caregivers must remain in patient’s room and are asked not to visit other locations in the hospital unless
  coming from/going to parking deck.
• Parents/Caregivers must wear their mask whenever any staff member enters the patient’s room.
• Parents/Caregivers will be placed on the list for parent meals to be delivered to patient’s room.
• Parents/Caregivers will be provided linens for bedding and showering.
• Parents/Caregivers will follow the regular process of reporting to the information desk to receive a parent badge.
• Any parent/caregiver who begins exhibiting COVID symptoms or is/becomes COVID positive will not be permitted to stay with the patient in the hospital room.

COVID Positive Parent/Caregiver

• Any parent/caregiver who is/becomes COVID positive will not be permitted to stay with the patient in their hospital room regardless of patient’s reason for admission.

Exceptions

• Exceptions to these guidelines will be minimal and considered on a case by case basis.
• Social Services will evaluate any exception request from the parent/caregiver.
• When social worker deems the exception request to be reasonable, they will bring the request to the remainder of the healthcare team for discussion.
• Once the team approves or denies the exception the social worker will communicate this message back to the parent.
• The social worker will ensure appropriate communication takes place with necessary parties to make them aware of the exception approval/denial and expectations.

Visitation Guidelines for COVID Positive Patients (PDF)
Visitation Guidelines for COVID Positive Patients (Spanish PDF)