Yale New Haven Hospital, one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in the United States, has specific visiting hours in place to ensure the well-being and safety of its patients. The hospital, located in New Haven, Connecticut, is part of the Yale New Haven Health System and is affiliated with the Yale School of Medicine. Understanding the visiting hours and policies is crucial for family members and friends who wish to visit their loved ones during their stay at the hospital.
General Visiting Hours
Yale New Haven Hospital has a flexible visiting policy that allows visitors to spend time with patients during designated hours. The general visiting hours for most patient areas are from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, seven days a week. However, it’s essential to note that visiting hours may vary depending on the specific unit or department, such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Pediatric ICU, or the maternity ward.
Unit-Specific Visiting Hours
Some units within the hospital have restricted visiting hours to protect the health and privacy of patients. For example:
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU): Visiting hours are limited to 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with a maximum of two visitors per patient at a time.
- Pediatric ICU: Visiting hours are from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with parents or guardians allowed to visit at any time. Other visitors are limited to two per patient at a time.
- Maternity Ward: Visiting hours are from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with a maximum of three visitors per patient at a time.
| Unit | Visiting Hours |
|---|---|
| General Medical/Surgical Units | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Intensive Care Unit (ICU) | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
| Pediatric ICU | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Maternity Ward | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Visitor Guidelines
Yale New Haven Hospital has implemented several guidelines to ensure a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff. These guidelines include:
- Masking: Visitors are required to wear masks in patient care areas to prevent the spread of infections.
- Hand Hygiene: Visitors are encouraged to practice good hand hygiene by washing their hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
- Respiratory Etiquette: Visitors with respiratory symptoms, such as coughing or sneezing, are asked to wear a mask and practice good respiratory etiquette, such as covering their mouth and nose with a tissue.
Visitor Restrictions
In certain situations, visitor restrictions may be implemented to protect the health and safety of patients. These restrictions may include:
- Influenza Season: During influenza season, visitors under the age of 16 may be restricted from visiting patient care areas.
- Outbreaks: In the event of an outbreak, such as a norovirus or COVID-19 outbreak, visitor restrictions may be implemented to prevent the spread of the infection.
What are the visiting hours for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)?
+The visiting hours for the ICU are from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with a maximum of two visitors per patient at a time.
Can I visit a patient in the maternity ward at any time?
+No, visiting hours for the maternity ward are from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with a maximum of three visitors per patient at a time.
Do I need to wear a mask when visiting a patient?
+Yes, visitors are required to wear masks in patient care areas to prevent the spread of infections.
Yale New Haven Hospital’s visiting hours and guidelines are in place to ensure the well-being and safety of patients, visitors, and staff. By following these guidelines and respecting the hospital’s policies, visitors can help create a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
