Visitation

Visitation Policy & Hours

The welfare of the patient will be considered above all else. Infection control signage is posted at all entrances with masks available. Any visitor deemed unwell while visiting will be asked to leave or wear a mask while visiting the patient. Visits may be limited or restricted in certain units or situations, including infection control limitations, disruptive behavior of visitors, patients or roommates and/or the need for patient rest or privacy. All of these circumstances may be considered clinically reasonable and necessary in the best interest of patient care, safety and wellbeing.

• The main hospital entrance will be locked from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. After-hours admittance is through the emergency room entrance only.
• Hours for the hospital are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily; Exceptions can be made for overnight stays on a case-by-case basis.
• A patient may appoint an essential caregiver who is entitled to 2 hours of daily visitation in addition to any other visitation rights.
• Patients are entitled to clergy visitation in the same manner as an essential caregiver.
• Any visitor who is 18 years of age or younger must be accompanied by an adult, unless otherwise noted.
• Allowances will be made regarding in-person visitation for end-of-life situations unless the patient objects.
• Consensual physical contact between the patient and a visitor is allowed in private rooms only and only if activity is deemed not detrimental to the patient.
• Visitation guidelines during a pandemic will be enforced based off of current CDC guidelines.
• Visitors will not be required to provide proof of vaccination or immunization.
• All visitors are encouraged to stop at sanitation stations available throughout the hospital to sanitize hands.
• We strongly discourage visitors during flu season for the protection of our patients.
• In the best interest of the health and safety of patients and children, please refrain from bringing children under 12 years of age to visit patients.
• A relative may need or want to stay overnight with a patient, so we recommend you talk with your nurse to make overnight arrangements. In private rooms, the guest may be either male or female. In semi-private rooms, however, the overnight guest must be the same sex as both patients in the room, and both patients must agree to the visitor. Guests may not use empty beds in semi-private rooms.

Below are some examples of circumstances related to the care of the patient and/or the care of other patients that could provide a basis for a hospital to impose restrictions or limitations on visitors:

• There may be infection control issues
• The hospital is aware that there is an existing court order restricting contact
• Visitors engage in disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior of any kind
• The patient or patient’s roommate needs rest or privacy
• Visitation may be restricted at the request of the patient, family or physician.
• In the case of an inpatient substance abuse program, visitation will be limited.
• In the event of state or national mandated orders or emergencies, threats, or natural or man-made disasters Cullman Regional will implement appropriate precautions regarding visitation in order to protect our patients and staff.

While the above may be valid reasons for limiting visitation during a care intervention, we will try to accommodate the needs of any patient who requests at least one visitor be allowed to remain in the room to provide support and comfort at such times.

To ensure proper rest:

• Visitors are permitted only during established visiting hours.
• Visitors should respect the privacy of patients and leave the room during treatments.
• Visitors are discouraged from bringing food or drink to patients.
• In order to promote a healing environment for our patients and guests, Cullman Regional has adopted a tobacco-free campus policy. Tobacco-free means that the use of tobacco, of any kind (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacoo, snuff, etc.) is prohibited in and around all facilities and property including sidewalks, parking areas and on and around our campus.

Critical Care Unit Visitation Guidelines

Patients in the Critical Care Unit are receiving a higher level of care appropriate for their medical condition. This higher level of care requires a different visitation plan than other hospital units.

The critical care is an open unit that allows 2 visitors at the bedside from 9 am – 7 pm. The unit is closed for visitation every day from 7-9 am and 7-9 pm. One person may stay the night with the patient after 9 pm.

• Critical Care Unit visiting hours are for immediate family only. No visitors under the age of 12 are allowed.
• To ensure patient care comes first, no visitation is allowed when it is medically or therapeutically contraindicated in the patient’s care. For example, visitation may be contraindicated for patients with psychiatric or behavioral diagnosis.
• Although we try to keep visiting times as accurate as possible, please understand that times could be delayed depending on procedures being performed in the unit at any given time.
• No food or drinks may be brought into the patient room from outside the CCU.
• At any time, if the patient’s care or sleep is disrupted or his/her physiological stress is increased, the visitor may be asked to leave.
• Sleep/rest is a way for the body to heal. If the patient is sleeping during visiting hours, please do not wake them.
• All communication will occur with a designated contact person who must be listed on the patient’s chart. The designated contact person may call 256-737-2475 for updates if unable to be at the hospital during regular visiting hours. Please understand that the nurse may not be able to come to the phone immediately but will return calls as soon as possible.

Maternity Center Visitation Policy

While we strive to provide family-centered care, the health and safety of our patients are our first priorities. The following visitation guidelines for the Maternity and Nursery Services Center will help us do that.

• Regular Maternity Center visiting hours are from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
• During labor, visitors are limited to three at a time. Visitors may alternate at the patient’s discretion.
• During delivery, two visitors are allowed in the room. No one under the age of 16 is allowed prior to delivery.
• After delivery, the newborn’s siblings of any age and number at a time are welcome in the room during visiting hours.
• For patients who are not in labor, visitation is based on the patient’s condition.
• Visitors cannot linger outside patient rooms or in hallways. There is a waiting room located outside the Maternity Center.
• At the discretion of the nurse or physician, visitors may be asked to leave the room based on the patient’s condition.
• Visitors with known or suspected infectious conditions will not be permitted.
• The main hospital entrance will be locked from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. After-hours admittance is through the emergency room entrance only.
• Maternity Center doors are locked at all times to protect the privacy and safety of our patients. Visitors must enter through the waiting area near the patient elevators.
• After 10 p.m., incoming phone calls will not be transferred to patient rooms unless it is deemed an emergency.

NURSERY VISITATION POLICY

• Visitation is limited to parents or significant others who wear intact, matching armbands.

EMERGENCY ROOM VISITATION POLICY

• Allows two visitors at a time in a patient’s room.

SEMI PRIVATE/PRIVATE ROOM VISITATION POLICY

• Allows for two visitors at a time.

OTHER AREAS VISITATION POLICY

• Discretion should be used to limit the number of visitors in all other areas of the hospital.