Patient Visitor Policy

Updated October 1, 2026

General Guidelines

These guidelines apply to all areas unless different department-specific guidelines are listed below this section

Hours and Who Can Visit

Visiting hours are 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Patients may welcome up to two visitors at a time, unless additional visitors are approved by the healthcare team.
Overnight visitation may be permitted for one designated visitor per patient unless otherwise specified in a department section.

Infection Prevention

Visitors who are free of symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, rash, vomiting, or diarrhea) and who comply with infection prevention practices may be allowed to visit. Visitors who are experiencing these symptoms, or who refuse to follow infection prevention requirements, may not be allowed to visit.
Visitors are expected to follow all infection prevention requirements, including:
- Performing hand hygiene before and after visits.
- Wearing personal protective equipment (such as masks, gloves, and gowns) as posted for the patient’s room.
A chair or daybed is provided; sleeping on the floor is not permitted.

Behavior and Environment

Visitors are expected to support a healing environment by keeping noise to a minimum, limiting cell phone use, avoiding hallway congestion, and refraining from large gatherings in lobbies or public spaces.
All visitors are expected to be appropriately dressed, including wearing shoes.
Visitors are expected to respect patient confidentiality and privacy. Photography, video, or audio recording of patients, staff, or care activities is only permitted as written in our Photography Policy.
Visitors are expected to follow staff instructions during patient care activities, procedures, or emergencies, and to always maintain respectful behavior. Visitors who are disruptive, threatening, or unsafe may not be allowed to remain.
Visitors may be asked to wait in a designated waiting area during patient care, procedures, or emergencies.
Patients may request that visitors be limited at any time. Patients may also request to be placed in confidential status, which limits disclosure of their presence in the hospital. Confidential status is managed in accordance with the hospital’s Confidential Patient Policy.

Children

Visitors under age 16 may visit when accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult other than the patient. This supervision requirement does not apply to parents who are minors. Parents of minors who are patients have full visitation rights to their child (based on the policy in each area), regardless of their age.

Other Restrictions

Mylar balloons are welcome; latex balloons are not permitted due to allergy risk.
Based on patient diagnosis or condition, live plants, fresh flowers, or produce may not be allowed.
Outside food may be brought in by visitors, but there may not be a place to store food other than the patient room.

Department Specific Guidelines:

Women’s & Children’s Services

Obstetric Emergency Department Triage

Visitation is limited to one support person due to space constraints.

Birth Center Surgical Suite

One support person may be allowed if the patient is not undergoing general anesthesia. Additional support for special circumstances (e.g. doula, second family member) is under the discretion of the care team at that time. Official interpreters are to be allowed in addition to a support person.

Labor & Delivery and Postpartum

Up to four support persons are welcome 24/7 while in labor and delivery.
For postpartum patients, only two of the four support persons may remain at the bedside between 8 PM – 8 AM.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Non-Respiratory Season
- Each infant may have 2 primary “banded caregivers” identified by wristbands. Bands may not be switched.
- Banded caregivers may visit at any time, including overnight.
- Banded caregivers may bring up to 2 additional visitors each day. These additional visitors:
  - May change daily but may not rotate within the same 24-hour period.
  - May visit only during hospital visiting hours (8 AM – 8 PM).
  - Must always remain with a banded caregiver.
  - Can be of any age as long as they are accompanied by the banded caregiver.
- Siblings are counted as visitors and:
  - Must be accompanied by an adult if under the age of 16.
  - May visit only in private rooms.
  - May not stay overnight.
- A maximum of 4 people may be at the bedside at one time.
- All visitors must sign in daily.
- For infants in isolation, only the 2 banded caregivers may visit.
- A twin who has been discharged to home may return and visit twin sibling with parents.
- Caregivers are expected to keep rooms clean and clear so staff can provide safe access to the infant.
- Drinks with lids are permitted. Food is permitted in the patient care zone in private rooms only. No food or drinks in multi-patient pods.
- Food areas are available in the Birth Center lobby and throughout the hospital.
- Only banded caregivers may receive phone updates about the infant.
- Caregivers must provide the infant’s medical record number (MRN) when calling.
Respiratory Season
- The respiratory season visitation policy for the NICU will be activated when King County Department of Health data shows that Emergency Department visits for Influenza, RSV, and/or COVID-19 have reached the established alert threshold. This decision will be made in collaboration with the NICU Medical Director and NICU Nurse Manager.
  
  Current respiratory virus activity can be monitored here: King County Respiratory Virus Data Dashboards: COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV.
  
  Once activated, the hospital administration and all Women’s and Children’s Division staff and providers will be notified of the policy change and the Respiratory season visitor policy will be placed on the unit. Changes to the policy during declared respiratory season are as follows:
  - No visitors under age 16 unless they are siblings.

Infants Visiting Hospitalized Mothers (Non-Women’s & Children)

An infant must be accompanied by a responsible support person 16 years or older who is able to independently care for the infant. This age requirement does not apply if the other parent of the patient is under 16 and staying with the infant.
Family provides infant supplies.
Hospital provides a bassinet and/or breast pump if needed.
Breastfeeding is encouraged, and a lactation consultant is available request.

Perioperative Services

Surgery Admitting / Discharge

To ensure privacy of patients, and due to space restrictions, the number of visitors is no more than two people at a time. One visitor is allowed until preoperative admission is completed. Minors should not accompany patients.

Endoscopy

To ensure privacy of patients, and due to space restrictions, the number of visitors is no more than two people at a time. One visitor is allowed until the admission process is completed. Minors should not accompany patients.

Critical Care Unit

No live plants, cut flowers, or fresh produce allowed.

Emergency Department

Visitor passes must be worn visibly. Visitors without a pass will be escorted to Security.
Patients under 18: both parents may accompany the minor.
Patients unable to provide reliable history may have 1 additional family member present.