Holy Cross Visiting Hours – Are you planning a visit to Holy Cross Hospital and wondering about the visiting hours? Understanding the hospital’s guidelines can help you navigate your visit smoothly and avoid any confusion. With specific policies in place for different units, it’s essential to be informed about when and how you can visit your loved ones.
Holy Cross visiting hours are not just a schedule; they are designed to ensure patient well-being while balancing the need for family support. But what if you’re visiting a critical care unit or during special circumstances? These scenarios often come with additional rules that you’ll need to be aware of.
Do you know what to bring for identification or the check-in process? First-time visitors may also need extra guidance to find their way around and adhere to the hospital’s health and safety protocols, especially in light of COVID-19.
This article aims to answer all these questions and more, providing a comprehensive guide on Holy Cross visiting hours and policies so you can focus on what truly matters: supporting your loved ones during their recovery.
Holy Cross Visiting Hours
At Holy Cross Health, visiting hours are designed to ensure patients receive the emotional support they need from loved ones while maintaining a restful and safe environment.
General visitation typically runs from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, allowing family members and friends ample time to visit. These hours are intended to balance the need for patient privacy and recovery with the comfort of having visitors close by.
Visitors must adhere to hospital policies and check-in procedures to ensure everyone’s safety.
Main Entrance and General Hospital Access
All visitors entering Holy Cross Health facilities must check in at the main entrance, which is open daily from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Upon arrival, visitors are required to stop at the welcome desk to provide photo identification and obtain a guest badge. This ensures security within the hospital and helps monitor the flow of visitors.
During their time at the hospital, visitors are subject to screening protocols, especially related to COVID-19 symptoms, which may include temperature checks and answering health-related questions.
The hospital encourages all visitors to follow the latest health guidelines, such as wearing masks if mandated, to protect patients, staff, and other visitors.
Evening and After-Hours Access
For visitors needing to see a loved one after regular hours, special protocols are in place. After 8:00 PM, all visitors are directed to use the Emergency Department entrance to access the hospital.
This entrance remains open 24/7, but security measures become more stringent after hours. Visitors must check in with security staff, present valid identification, and obtain authorization from nursing staff to proceed with their visit.
After-hours visits are typically reserved for critical circumstances, such as when patients require additional support or during emergencies.
While overnight stays are generally discouraged, exceptions can be made, particularly for family members or designated caregivers, ensuring patients who need overnight companionship are accommodated.
Other United States Hospital Visiting Hours:
This clear framework ensures that visiting hours remain flexible yet controlled, safeguarding the hospital’s healing environment while offering support to patients during their recovery.
Visiting Guidelines for Specific Units
Visiting Holy Cross Hospital involves understanding the policies that apply to specific units.
While general visitation is encouraged, some units, such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Maternity Ward, and Pediatric and Neonatal Units, have additional guidelines to ensure patient safety and comfort.
Adhering to these policies ensures that visits contribute positively to patient recovery without causing unnecessary disruptions.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Policies
Visiting a patient in the ICU requires careful consideration due to the critical nature of care provided in this unit.
At Holy Cross Health, ICU visitors are typically limited to two at a time, and visiting hours may be restricted during shift changes from 6:45 AM to 7:30 AM and again from 6:45 PM to 7:30 PM.
This ensures that healthcare professionals can complete necessary patient care transitions without interruptions.
In the ICU, visitors are asked to follow strict protocols, including:
- Keeping visits brief to allow patients ample rest.
- Following personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines, particularly for patients with infectious diseases.
- Coordinating visits with hospital staff to avoid overcrowding, which could interfere with care.
Maternity Ward Guidelines
For expecting families, visiting the Maternity Ward is an exciting event. Holy Cross has implemented policies that allow for a supportive, yet controlled, environment during childbirth and recovery.
Typically, up to two visitors are allowed at a time in the Labor, Delivery, and Recovery (LDR) rooms, ensuring that mothers have ample support while also maintaining the privacy needed for medical care.
One support person is allowed to stay overnight to provide comfort to the new mother.
Key maternity ward visiting guidelines include:
- Visitors must wear hospital wristbands and cannot switch with others during the visit.
- For Cesarean births, only one designated support person is allowed in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).
- Quiet hours are observed from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM to ensure mothers and newborns can rest uninterrupted.
Pediatric and Neonatal Units
For pediatric and neonatal patients, visitation policies are designed with the child’s well-being in mind.
In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), visiting is open to parents 24/7, but restrictions are placed during shift changes between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM, as well as 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Only one parent can visit at a time due to space considerations.
In the Pediatric Unit, one parent or caregiver is allowed to stay overnight to provide continuous emotional support for the child. Additional guidelines ensure that:
- Visitors under the age of 12 are generally not allowed unless special arrangements have been made.
- Personal protective measures, such as hand hygiene and PPE, are required to minimize infection risks for vulnerable newborns.
Each of these guidelines has been put in place to maintain a balance between providing essential emotional support and ensuring the medical needs of patients are met efficiently and safely.
COVID-19 Visiting Policies
To protect patients, staff, and visitors, Holy Cross Health has implemented specific COVID-19 visiting policies. These policies, designed in line with CDC guidelines, ensure that hospitals remain safe environments while still allowing families to visit their loved ones.
It’s crucial that all visitors understand and comply with these rules to minimize health risks, especially for vulnerable patients.
Health Screenings and Mask Requirements
Before entering the hospital, all visitors must undergo a health screening. This process includes checking for COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Temperature checks are a standard part of the screening, ensuring no one with a temperature higher than 100°F enters the facility.
In addition to the screening, visitors are required to wear masks during their stay. This requirement is based on community transmission levels, and masks are provided at the entrance if needed.
Holy Cross Health encourages wearing masks throughout the visit, especially in high-risk areas like intensive care or pediatric units.
Key points:
- Temperature checks at the entrance.
- Masks are mandatory, especially during high transmission periods.
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) might be required in specific areas.
Restrictions for Visitors with Symptoms
Visitors displaying any symptoms of illness, such as a fever, runny nose, or cough, are asked not to enter the hospital.
Holy Cross Health emphasizes the importance of keeping symptomatic individuals away to protect patients who may be at greater risk of infection.
Those who have been exposed to COVID-19 within the last 10 days or are awaiting test results should also refrain from visiting until they can confirm they are not carrying the virus.
These restrictions aim to reduce the spread of illness within the hospital and ensure the safety of both patients and healthcare workers. If a visitor begins to show symptoms during their visit, they will be asked to leave immediately and seek medical care if necessary.
In summary, following these COVID-19 guidelines helps ensure that hospitals remain safe spaces where both patients and staff are protected from potential outbreaks.
Special Circumstances for Visiting
In certain situations, Holy Cross Health recognizes that standard visiting hours may not fully accommodate the needs of patients and their families.
Special circumstances, such as end-of-life scenarios or the need for overnight stays, require more flexible policies.
These exceptions are made to provide emotional support to patients during critical times while maintaining a safe and controlled environment.
End-of-Life Visitations
Holy Cross Health understands the importance of family presence during end-of-life care. In these sensitive situations, visiting hours are adjusted to allow loved ones to spend more time with the patient.
End-of-life visitations are generally permitted outside of the regular visiting hours to ensure that families can be there to provide comfort and support.
Key considerations include:
- Up to two visitors are usually allowed to be with the patient, with the option for a religious support person to accompany them.
- Visits during nighttime or quiet hours must be pre-arranged with the patient’s nurse.
- Visitors may stay for extended periods, but they must follow any health protocols, including wearing masks or PPE if necessary, especially for patients in isolation.
These flexible visitation policies prioritize the emotional well-being of both the patient and their family during these difficult moments.
Overnight Stay Policies
In cases where patients require ongoing support from a loved one, Holy Cross Health allows for overnight stays under certain conditions.
While overnight stays are generally discouraged in regular circumstances, exceptions are made based on the patient’s condition and specific needs.
Guidelines for overnight stays include:
- Only one visitor is permitted to stay overnight with the patient, typically in a private room to maintain patient privacy and minimize disruptions to other patients.
- In semi-private rooms, visitors must respect the privacy and comfort of the patient’s roommate. Gender considerations are taken into account to ensure all patients feel comfortable with overnight visitors.
- The overnight visitor must be able to care for themselves without assistance from hospital staff, as the focus remains on patient care.
This policy is particularly beneficial for patients who may need continuous emotional or physical support, such as those in critical care or long-term recovery.
Preparing for Your Visit to Holy Cross
When visiting Holy Cross Health, being prepared is essential to ensure your visit goes smoothly.
Whether it’s your first time or a return visit, knowing what to bring and understanding the check-in process will help you navigate the hospital efficiently.
What to Bring for Identification and Check-In
Upon arriving at Holy Cross, all visitors are required to check in at the main entrance or emergency department, depending on the time of day.
As part of the hospital’s security and safety protocols, you must present a government-issued photo ID. This helps the hospital maintain a secure environment for both patients and staff.
Key items to bring:
- Government-issued photo ID: A driver’s license, state ID, or passport.
- Visitor badge: After presenting your ID, you will receive a badge that must be worn at all times during your visit.
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination (if required): Though not always mandatory, some high-risk units may require this.
It’s also important to remember that you may be asked to complete a brief health screening, including a temperature check and a set of COVID-related questions, to ensure you are symptom-free before entering the hospital.
Guidance for First-Time Visitors
If this is your first visit to Holy Cross, navigating the facility can be a bit daunting. To help first-time visitors feel more comfortable, the hospital offers clear signage and maps at the entrance, and staff members are always available to assist.
Here are some helpful tips to make your first visit easier:
- Arrive Early: Give yourself extra time to park, check in, and locate the patient’s room. This is especially important if you’re visiting during peak hours.
- Use Hospital Maps: You can find maps at the welcome desk, or access them on the hospital’s website ahead of your visit to familiarize yourself with the layout.
- Parking Information: Depending on the location, parking may be free or have a nominal fee. Inquire about parking rates when planning your visit.
By coming prepared and familiarizing yourself with the hospital’s layout and policies, your visit to Holy Cross will be a smooth and stress-free experience, allowing you to focus on supporting your loved ones.
Ensuring that you understand the Holy Cross visiting hours is crucial for a smooth and stress-free visit. Knowing the hospital’s policies and guidelines allows you to provide the right support to your loved ones while respecting patient care protocols.
If you’re planning a visit, make sure you’re familiar with the check-in process and any health-related requirements. For further details, contact Holy Cross Health directly or check their website to stay updated on any changes to visiting hours or policies.