Visiting hours at Ballad Health

Our standard visiting hours are consistent every day, including weekends.

We recognize that family support can be especially important during holidays. Please speak with a member of our staff or nursing team to verify if there are any changes to regular visitation hours due to holidays. Please note that some hospital services, like the cafeteria, may also have modified hours on major holidays.

Yes, we often make compassionate exceptions for end-of-life situations. Families of patients receiving palliative or hospice care may be granted 24-hour visitation.

Please speak with your loved one's nurse or doctor to arrange extended visiting hours. The care team will explain after-hours entry and help make sure any visitors can be present during these important moments.

Yes, most personal items, flowers and small gifts are allowed. Please check with the nursing station first, since some patients may have restrictions.

Patients with special diets, allergies or those in areas like the ICU or oncology may not be able to receive outside food. Latex balloons and fresh flowers are also not allowed in the ICU or other areas with immunocompromised patients for safety reasons.

Hospital gift shops are open daily and offer approved flowers, snacks and gifts for patients. 

There are no strict time limits during regular hospital visiting hours. We do ask visitors to be mindful of your loved one's need for rest and care. Nurses may ask visitors to step out during treatments, exams or shift changes.

If many visitors are present, we may ask guests to shorten their visits so others can spend time with the patient to prevent fatigue. 

In most patient rooms in our hospitals, we generally allow two visitors at a time. This helps maintain a calm, healing space and allows staff room to provide care. However, this can vary by facility.

In private rooms or special situations, additional visitors may be allowed at the nurse's discretion. Waiting areas are available for family and friends.

Please note that the ICU and specialty units may have different limits based on patient needs and room size. We recommend asking your loved one's nurse or provider for the most up-to-date information.

Children of all ages may visit during regular visiting hours, and we know these moments are meaningful for both patients and families. We encourage parents or guardians to consider whether their child will be comfortable following hospital guidelines and if the visit is appropriate for the patient's condition or care needs. For everyone's safety, children should remain supervised by an adult at all times. Some specialty units may have additional guidelines or may require special approval for child visitors based on the patient's needs.

Pet visits are usually limited to certified therapy animals through our pet therapy program. Exceptions may be made for hospice or palliative care patients. Service animals assisting visitors are always welcome. Please get in touch with the nursing station at least 24 hours in advance to discuss pet visitation.

Yes. Clergy, chaplains and spiritual advisors may visit outside standard visiting hours when coordinated with the care team. Our hospital chaplains are also available 24/7 to support patients and families.

To arrange after-hours visits, you can contact the nursing station. Spiritual advisors may be asked to identify themselves and to provide credentials.

For the safety of patients, staff and other visitors, please do not visit if you are sick or feeling unwell. This includes symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Hospital patients may be more vulnerable to infection.

If you're unsure, call the nursing station before visiting. We recommend waiting until you have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours. Phone calls and video chats are good ways to stay connected with your loved one until you're feeling better.

Mask requirements may change based on public health conditions and patient needs. Masks are strongly recommended but may not always be required in all areas. Masks are required when visiting patients in isolation or certain high-risk units. We provide free masks at hospital entrances, if needed.

During times of increased illness in the community, universal masking at our facilities may be put in place. If you're unsure, you can call the hospital's information desk and follow care team instructions.

We encourage visitors to stay up-to-date on vaccines, including flu and COVID-19, but proof of vaccination is not required for general hospital visitation.

Some units, like the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), may ask about vaccination status to protect vulnerable patients. NICU visitors must have a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination within the last 10 years. 

For safety, certain items are not allowed, including:

• Weapons
• Illegal drugs
• Alcohol
• Smoking materials
• Open flames
• Candles
• Latex balloons (in specialty units)
• Glass containers (in specialty units)

Cameras or recording devices should not be used without patient consent and care team approval. Your bag may be searched by security for patient safety.

Visitors should also not give medications to patients unless approved by the medical team.

Yes. Patients staying longer than one week may benefit from flexible visiting hours. Families can work with their care team to create a plan that may include access outside standard hours.

One designated family member may be given 24-hour access and can help coordinate visits. The hospital social worker can help arrange options that support both the patient and the family.

Please check with the nursing team or a member of staff for more information regarding internet access, family waiting areas and local facilities that may provide discounted lodging for family members.

Right after delivery, we typically honor a "golden hour" for bonding between the baby and immediate support person(s). After this one to two-hour timespan, additional visitors are welcome.

We recommend keeping visits limited early on so the mother can rest and begin breastfeeding. Each mother may choose up to four approved visitors. Other visitors should follow general hospital visitation guidelines.

Yes. Doulas are part of the birth support team and may stay during labor, delivery and the immediate recovery period. Doulas should identify themselves to staff and may be asked to show certification. 

Overnight stays after delivery are usually limited to one support person so the mother can rest, but doulas may return during regular visiting hours. 

Postpartum units follow standard hospital visiting hours. One support person may stay 24 hours a day.

We encourage families to balance visits with the mother's need for recovery. Quiet hours from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. are observed for rest, though the designated support person may stay. 

Mothers also always have the right to limit or refuse visitors.

Yes, grandparents and siblings are welcome to visit during hospital visiting hours.

Siblings should be healthy and supervised by an adult other than the mother so she can rest. Parents or guardians should encourage children to wash their hands and follow gentle, quiet behavior.

Both grandparents and siblings count toward the mother's approved visitor list, so families are encouraged to plan visits carefully. Staff can also help support special moments like photos or videos!

During end-of-life care, we do our best to accommodate larger family visits and needs. Standard visitor limits may be relaxed, and immediate family members may receive 24-hour access.

Depending on room size and patient comfort, we may ask groups to rotate so the patient doesn't become overwhelmed and staff can provide care safely. Please work with your care team to coordinate visits.

We do offer spiritual and emotional support for families during end-of-life care. Our chaplains are available 24/7 to support people of all faiths and those who have no religious affiliation. They can provide prayer, counseling or a comforting presence. We can also help arrange visits from your own clergy or spiritual leaders at any time.

Our hospitals also provide social workers and palliative care teams to provide grief resources and support, and private spaces are available for families who need quiet time or wish to hold meaningful rituals.