Specific Unit Information

Visitation – Specific Units

Obstetrics – All general rules apply, plus the following: The Special Care Nursery and Nursery are secured areas. Admittance is allowed only with the supervision of the Obstetrics staff. Siblings under 12 years are welcome to visit, but must be supervised by an adult and never left alone in the care of the new mother. One person may stay with the new mother and baby overnight.

Emergency Department – Two visitors at a time, unless individual’s presence infringes on the rights, safety, or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated.

Pediatrics – Parent(s) may stay with the child on a 24-hour basis. Siblings of the patient are not encouraged to visit regularly.

Hospice/Respite Care – Visitation outlined in the plan of care in accordance with advance directives and with the patient/support person(s) requests. Overnight stays are allowed as indicated.

Ambulatory Care Department – Generally, visitors are encouraged to wait in the waiting room, primarily for patient privacy reasons. Support persons may be allowed at the discretion of the staff.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit – Support person permitted only when necessary and requested by the staff.

Operating Room – Family/visitors/support person(s) should remain in the waiting areas near the Operating Room for progress reports from physicians and/or nursing staff. Telephones are provided in that area as an alternative to person-to-person contact.

Guidelines and Information For Visitors and Patients

Wayne Memorial recognizes that a patient’s family and friends can contribute greatly to the healing process. Our hospital is open to visitors at any time. We ask, however, that all visitors respect the needs of the patient, the needs of other patients and their visitors, and the needs of our staff.

Our policy provides for the privacy, comfort, safety, support and “full and equal” visitation privileges consistent with the wishes of the patient—or his/her support person—in an environment committed to the health needs of the patient.

General Guidelines

Patients choose who may visit them during their hospital stay and have the right to withdraw consent to visitation at any time.
The health care team may limit visitors allowed at a patient’s bedside. Special rules apply to certain areas.
Please wash hands upon entering AND leaving the room. Hand washing foam canisters are mounted in patient rooms and waiting rooms.
Guidelines for visiting one patient may differ from those of another, based on the status and needs of the patient and the nursing staff.

Special Considerations

Wayne Memorial is committed to the well-being of its patients and staff. For that reason, a patient’s health care team may limit visitation or impose special rules such as a visitor’s pass. Some of the circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:

Shift change: Patient assessment by arriving staff may necessitate no visitors or phone calls.
Quiet time: Noise should be kept to a minimum between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. to allow patients to rest.
Night visits: Between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., visitors must obtain passes from the Emergency Department Registration Desk and return the passes to the Switchboard upon leaving.
Infectious Disease: Individuals who have a cold, cough or other communicable illness are encouraged not to visit. Special requests may be accommodated by the staff.

Visitor Tips

Please refrain from touching equipment in a patient’s room.
Please do not bring alcoholic beverages or firearms into the hospital.
Please do not bring food to a patient without approval from the patient’s health care provider.
Please wear attire appropriate to the area being visited. Staff reserve the right to determine the appropriateness of attire given the situation.
Visitors are discouraged from sleeping in patient rooms; however, under special circumstances, accommodations may be made.
STOP signs on patient room doors indicate isolation precautions. Check with a patient’s nurse to receive specific instructions about isolation.
A nurse may end visitation at any time if it is deemed to be in the best interests of the patient or in certain situations, such as emergencies.
Positive interactions with your loved one such as handholding, communication in an appropriate manner, etc. are encouraged.

Children Visitors

It’s our goal to prevent infections that may compromise the patient or the child. Children may visit with permission of staff and with adult supervision. Children are not allowed to remain in a waiting room unattended.

Visitors To Obstetrics

All general visitation rules apply to the Obstetrics unit, called New Beginnings Birthing Suites, plus the following:

The Special Care Nursery and Nursery are secured areas. Admittance is allowed only with the supervision of the Obstetrics staff.
Most new mothers are usually thrilled but tired, so brief visits are often best. When it’s time to nurse the baby, visitors are also asked to respect a new mother’s need for privacy.

Siblings under 12 years are welcome to visit their mother and the new baby, under the continuous supervision of an adult visitor. Siblings should not be left in the care of the new mother.

Overnight Visitation

One person may stay with the new mother and baby overnight to allow the family to adjust to its newest member in the hospital setting. Families should plan to keep the baby in their room through the night.

Visiting Hours For Specific Units

Certain units have more guidelines for visitation, including Pediatrics, Hospice/Respite Care, Ambulatory Care and the Emergency Department. Please ask the staff of those departments for the rules that apply to their area.

Thank you for choosing Wayne Memorial Hospital and for your cooperation with our visitation policy.

Wayne Memorial Hospital’s visitation procedures do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.