Current Visitor Policies at Vanderbilt Hospitals and Clinics

• 2 visitors may be in a patient's room, including the Intensive Care Units, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• 1 of 2 visitors may be a child of any age, if accompanied by an adult 18 and older. Exceptions to this are listed below for Emergency, Trauma, Burn, and the Intensive Care Units.
• Trauma: If your child would like to visit a loved one on a trauma unit, please contact the unit directly before bringing them. Age restrictions vary.
• Burn/ICU: For children 10 and under, please contact the unit charge nurse prior to your visit.
• 1 adult visitor (18 and older) may be in the patient's room after 9 p.m. and overnight. No visitors may overnight in semi-private rooms.
• Up to 4 visitors, with at least one adult (18 and older), may visit if the care team has determined the patient is nearing the end of their life.
• Visitors may swap with each other. To prevent overcrowding in waiting areas, "visitor exchange" should occur outside the hospital.
• 1 adult visitor (18 and older) may be in a COVID-19 patient room between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Visitors must wear appropriate PPE for the duration of their visit.
• Obstetrics will allow 2 support people, excluding the doula. Post-delivery, siblings may visit if accompanied by an adult.

Emergency Department

• While a patient is in the Emergency Department (ED) waiting room or being evaluated by a triage nurse, 1 visitor (18 and older) is allowed. This visitor cannot swap out with another. 
• A patient assigned to a private room in the ED may have 2 visitors. 1 of 2 visitors can be 12 and older, if accompanied by an adult 18 and older.
• A patient in a hallway treatment area may have 1 visitor (18 and older). These visitors may swap out; 1 visitor should exit before the other enters the ED.
• No visitors are allowed in the treatment rooms with more than 1 patient, but 1 visitor (18 and older) per patient may wait in the ED waiting room.
• If a patient has or is suspected of having COVID, only 1 visitor (18 and older) may visit after they have been placed into a private room. This visitor cannot swap out with another. Visitors must wear appropriate PPE for the duration of their visit.
• Medical and security team members may limit or revoke visitation when needed to optimize care and/or safety of everyone in the ED.

• All visitors must sign in at the receptionist desk in the lobby.
• 2 visitors age 12 and older may see the patient at a time on the inpatient units.
• 1 visitor age 12 and older may be with the patient in Psychiatric Assessment Services
• All personal items, including cell phones, should be either left in the car or locked in the visitor lockers in the lobby.
• Anything you plan to give to your loved one must first be checked by staff.
• You may bring certain items including pillows, blankets, and 3 changes of clothing.

You may NOT bring any of the following items:

• Tobacco products, lighters or matches
• Alcohol or drugs
• Medicines (over the counter as well as prescription)
• Cell phones, computers, tablets, iPods, or other electronics
• Any items with glass (except eyeglasses)
• Anything that could be used as a weapon

Visiting hours

• Adult patients: Monday through Friday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Children and adolescents: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 7 days a week.
• Accommodations may be made with the treatment team as needed and appropriate.

VWCH Main Campus

Inpatient Services

• 2 visitors may be in a patient's room.
• 1 of 2 visitors may be a child of any age, if accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
• 1 adult visitor, age 18 or older, may be in the patient’s room after 9 p.m. and overnight, except in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
• Patients with COVID may have 1 visitor from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors must wear appropriate PPE for the duration of their visit.
• In a semi-private room, visitation may be limited to 1 visitor in 30-minute increments. No more than 2 visitors may be in a patient room at one time. Overnight visitors are not permitted for patients in semi-private rooms.
• Visitors may swap out. To prevent overcrowding in waiting areas, one visitor should leave before the other enters the facility.
• All in-patient services visitors should enter through the North Tower Entrance, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.. or the Main Entrance, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Emergency Department

• 2 visitors are permitted for a patient assigned to a private room in the Emergency Department.
• 1 visitor is permitted for a patient in an alternative treatment area.

Surgery

1 visitor, age 18 or older, per patient 

Women's Services

Labor rooms 

• 2 visitors and 1 certified doula permitted for a patient assigned to a labor room.
• Visiting hours for labor rooms is 24/7.
• Visitors may swap out.

Postpartum rooms

• 2 visitors are permitted for a patient assigned to a postpartum room.
• 1 of 2 visitors may be a child of any age, if accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. The visiting child does not have to be the patient’s child. 
• Visitors may enter through the Women’s Pavilion Entrance, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
• 1 adult visitor (age 18 or older) may be in the patient’s room after 9 p.m.

Newborn nursery

• 2 ID-banded caregivers allowed in the nursery.
• These 2 caregivers include the (1) primary caregiver and (1) other designated adult.
• These ID bands are not interchangeable.
• The nursery is open to caregivers 24/7.

VWCH McFarland Campus

Inpatient Rehabilitation

• 2 visitors may be in a patient’s room.
• 1 of 2 visitors may be a child of any age, if accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
• Visiting hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Inpatient Psychiatric

• 2 visitors (18 and older) may see the patient at a time on the inpatient unit.
• Visiting hours are Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Additional hours may be arranged as needed with physician and treatment team approval.
• Visitors' personal items must be secured in personal vehicle, including coats.
• Anything brought for the patient cannot be provided to patient without staff check for safety.

The Medical, Security or Administrative team members may limit or revoke visitation when needed to optimize care and/or safety of everyone in our facilities.

Surgery

• Two (2) visitors per patient

Medical / Surgical Unit

• Two (2) visitors may be in a patient’s room from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• One (1) visitor may stay in a patient’s room after 9 p.m. and overnight
• Suspected or Covid Positive patients may have one (1) visitor from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with appropriate PPE

Intensive Care Unit

• Two (2) visitors may be in a patient’s room from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• One (1) visitor may stay in a patient’s room after 9 p.m. and overnight
• Suspected or Covid Positive patients may have one (1) visitor from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with appropriate PPE

Emergency Services

• Two (2) visitors per patient
• A patient in a hallway treatment area may have one (1) visitor
• Suspected or Covid Positive patients may have one (1) visitor in the room with appropriate PPE 
• Pediatric Suspected or Covid Positive patients may have both guardians in the room with appropriate PPE

Outpatient Services

• No restrictions

Vanderbilt Bedford Clinics

• Two (2) visitors/parents/guardians with each patient

Hospital Visitation

• Two (2) visitors may be in a patient's room, including the Critical Care Unit, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Please see visitation for the Emergency Department below)
• One (1) adult visitor (age 18 or older) may be in the patient's room after 9 p.m. and overnight.
• Up to four (4) adults may visit if the care team has determined the patient is nearing the end of life.
• One (1) adult visitor (age 18 or older) may be in a COVID-19 patient room between the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks for the duration of their visit.

Emergency Department Visitation

• While a patient is in the Emergency Department (ED), including triage area, 1 visitor is allowed.
• Pediatric patients, age 17 and younger, can have two (2) adult parents / guardians with them. The same visitation applies to pediatric patients who are COVID positive or awaiting COVID test results. Parents/guardians must wear a mask at all times.
• Visitors may swap out in the ED lobby; one (1) visitor should exit before the other enters the ED.
• No visitors with adult patients who are COVID positive or awaiting COVID test results.
• Visitors under age 16 are not allowed in the ED.
• Visitors must follow the current hospital masking policy.
• Medical and Security team members may limit or revoke visitation when needed to optimize care and/or safety of everyone in the ED.