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 unit/all other ICUs: 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 stay overnight in semi-private rooms.
• If the care team has determined that the patient is nearing end-of-life: the number of visitors will be determined based on a decision including unit manager, administrative coordinator and family needs. At least one visitor must be age 18 or older if children are visiting.
• 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.
• We make every effort to provide each patient with a private room. However, there may be instances in which a patient will be placed in a semi-private room with another patient when clinically appropriate.

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.

Inpatient Services

• 2 visitors may be in a patient's room.
• Children under age 12 are permitted, 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 personal protective equipment (PPE) during 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, 7 a.m. to 5 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 (ED).
• 1 visitor is permitted for a patient in an alternative treatment area as deemed appropriate and at the discretion of ED leadership. 
• Medical and security team members may limit or revoke visitation when needed to optimize care and/or safety of everyone in the ED.

Surgery

• 2 visitors, 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 are 24/7.
• Visitors may swap out.

Postpartum rooms

• 2 visitors are permitted for a patient assigned to a postpartum room.
• Children under age 12 are permitted, 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.

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

2 visitors per patient

Medical / surgical unit

• 2 visitors may be in a patient’s room from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• 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

• 2 visitors may be in a patient’s room from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• 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

• 2 visitors per patient
• A patient in a hallway treatment area may have 1 visitor
• Suspected or Covid Positive patients may have 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

2 visitors/parents/guardians with each patient

Hospital Visitation

• 2 visitors may be in a patient's room, including the Critical Care Unit, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (See visitation for the Emergency Department below.)
• 1 adult visitor, age 18 or older, may be in the patient's room after 9 p.m. and overnight.
• Up to 4 adults may visit if the care team has determined the patient is nearing the end of life.
• 1 adult visitor, age 18 or older, may be in a COVID patient room between the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) 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 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.