Visiting a patient?

VISITATION

Updated Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025:
Visitors under the age of 16 and anyone exhibiting signs of illness (fever, cough, congestion, stomach upset) will not be permitted to visit patients except for those seeking medical care. Siblings of newborns in the Birthing Center and other special circumstances at the discretion of the unit director/charge nurse may visit if well.

I.     VISITING HOURS

Visiting hours at Cookeville Regional Medical Center shall be observed as follows:

1. General Units 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. unless otherwise permitted by physician or nursing staff.  One support person of the patient’s choice will be allowed to remain with the patient 24 hours a day. During certain times of the year, visitation may be restricted due to the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as Influenza during the flu season. Children must remain under adult supervision at all times in the public waiting areas of the hospital or in the patient room when visiting.
2. Restricted Areas are:
   1. Labor & Delivery/Post-Partum: Visitation is set by the patient and supported by staff. Only one visitor may stay the night with patients; exceptions may be made under certain circumstances at the discretion of the unit director, provider and/or clinical coordinator. Children may not be left unattended with the patient when another care giver is not present. The number of visitors in the room at any given time cannot compromise safety and is limited at the discretion of staff and providers.
   2. Nursery: Visitation is limited to a maximum of 2 people over the age of 2; exceptions may be made at the discretion of the unit director/nursing supervisor. Visitors must be free of signs and symptoms of illness (including but not limited to fever or cough). 1 visitor must have a matching band to the baby. Visitors cannot compromise safety or care of the patient and may be limited at the discretion of staff and providers
   3. Same Day Surgery Unit (SDSU): Due to the size of the rooms, only two (2) visitors per patient are allowed. Any visitors for patients in the Procedure Room are to wait in the Surgery Waiting area if the patient has not been assigned to a SDCU bed.
   4. Emergency Room: Visitors in the ER are limited to one (1) visitor unless physician/nursing staff approves variability.
   5. ICU: One support person of the patient’s choice will be allowed to remain with the patient 24 hours a day to provide emotional and social support. Two additional visitors may visit from the hours of 7:30 am-6:30 pm and 7:30 pm-9:00 pm. Three visitors is the maximum the rooms will accommodate and still allow us to care for patients. Additional visitors may remain in the larger ICU waiting room. All visitors will check in at the nurses’ station and receive a visitor badge that is to be worn during the visit to the patient. Visiting hours may be altered due to extenuating circumstances and/or patient condition.
   6. CVICU: One support person of the patient’s choice will be allowed to remain with the patient 24 hours a day to provide emotional and social support. Two additional visitors may visit from the hours of 7:30 am-2:00 pm, 4:00 pm-6:30 pm and 7:30 pm-9:00 pm. Three visitors is the maximum the rooms will accommodate and still allow us to care for patients. Additional visitors may remain in the waiting room. As circumstances necessitate, visiting hours may be changed to or omitted in order to provide essential care for our patients.
   7. Cancer Center: One support person over the age of 18 will be allowed to accompany the patient to clinic and infusion appointments.  Exceptions may be made based on patients circumstances by Cancer Center staff.  If a patient arrives with a child, unaware of the policy, Cancer Center staff will make every attempt to ensure the patient is seen by the provider. Any additional visitors are welcome to remain in the Cancer Center waiting room. Cancer Center may allow changes to the visitor policy at any given time based on needs/circumstances.

CHILDREN

Children must remain under adult supervision at all times in the public waiting areas of the hospital or in the patient room when visiting. During certain times of the year, visitation may be restricted due to the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as influenza during the flu season.

I.  CONTROLLED AREAS

1. Physicians reserve the right to deny visitation by children and/or adults for the health of their patient(s).
2. Visitors are prohibited from entering patients’ rooms when signs are posted requesting no visitors, as it may be part of the treatment ordered by the patient’s physician.
3. Due to fire and safety regulations, visitors are prohibited from convening in hallways and walkways.
4. Any visitor entering the facility after 9:00 pm must enter through the Emergency Department (“ED”) Lobby. If the visitor wishes to visit an area other than the ED, they must enter through the east lobby, be signed in by a security officer and be issued a visitor badge with a 24 hour expiration date. This is known as the ePass System.

II. PATIENT VISITATION RIGHTS

1. The patient has the right to choose who may visit them.
2. The patient has the right to withdraw visitation consent at any time.
3. The patient’s visitation wishes may be in his or her advance directive.