Attention Visitors: Please help us protect our patients and staff. DO NOT VISIT a patient if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Intensive Care Unit Visitation Policy
A lounge is provided for the comfort and convenience of families and visitors of patients in the critical care units. Ochsner Rush Health is a smoke-free hospital campus. We ask that you help us keep the area clean and orderly to better serve your needs and to make it a safe environment. Garbage containers are provided for you to use. Since most people in the waiting area are experiencing stress, please be conscious of the needs of others in the area.
The ICU will allow each patient no more than 2 visitors at the bedside between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The hospital reserves the right to limit the number of visitors at any given time based on the clinical condition of the patient. All family and visitors are expected to adhere to the following expectations:
- No food or drink is permitted in the patient rooms with the exception of water in a closed-top container.
- Family and visitors will not be permitted in the nurse's station or in the break room area.
- The family and visitor restroom is located outside of the ICU waiting room.
- Family and visitors are not allowed to enter the ICU when ill and/or showing signs of symptoms of being ill.
- Under ordinary circumstances, no children under the age of 12 will be permitted to visit the ICU.
- Family and visitors may be asked to leave the unit at the discretion of staff for disruptive behavior and/or emergent situations occurring the ICU.
- The number directly to the ICU nurse's station is 601.703.9620. Each ICU patient should designate a patient representative who is the primary person responsible for medical updates, etc. We encourage patients to ask their patient representative to provide updates to their family and friends.
- All visitors must wash their hands or use antimicrobial hand rinse every time they enter and exit the unit.
- Flowers and fresh fruit are NOT allowed in the ICU. Families are strongly encouraged to keep gifts and personal belongings until the patient transfers out of the unit.
We want the patient and family to be involved in care. We want to work together as a team to improve patient safety. If you have any questions or concerns about patient care, talk to the nurse. If you need additional assistance or continue to be concerned, you should call the hotline number: 9999. Tell the hospital operator you are concerned, and she will get the Nursing Supervisor to come talk to you in the room immediately.
Pediatric Visitation Policy
One responsible caretaker is required to stay with a child 12 years of age or younger. One responsible caretaker is strongly encouraged to stay with children over 12 during the night. At no time should more than two visitors be present per patient room (including parents). Pediatric patients are discouraged from visiting other patient rooms.
Family Birth Center Visitation Policy
At Ochsner, we want the arrival of your newborn to be an extra-special event. However, to ensure the safety and well-being of your baby during this exciting time, please take note of the following visitation policies:
- Up to two support persons may stay with the OB patient during labor and delivery with approval of the Physician/Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).
- At the request of the attending Physician, CNM, Neonatologist or labor nurse, the support person may be asked to leave the room.
- Support person must be providing support and helping the patient cope with labor.
- Other visitors will be requested to wait in family waiting areas.
- Fathers may visit at any time and may remain in the room with the baby.
- Visitors are permitted to visit in the mother's room with the baby after being instructed in hand washing techniques. If at any time mother's or baby's condition warrants, visitors may be restricted. Visitors are reminded that mothers need time for personal care, rest, and private visits for parents and the new baby.
- All visitors and siblings, if desired by the mother, are allowed. All visitors including siblings of infant should be free from any signs of illness or known exposure to communicable disease or illness.
- The nursery extensions are 9682 or 9683. Parents may call for assistance.
- If for any reason a baby is unable to go to the mother's room, please follow the NICU Visitation Policy.
NICU Patient Visitation Policy
No visitation allowed in the NICU patient area between 6-10 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.
- Visitors are encouraged to check with the receptionist's desk before washing and gowning in case a medical procedure prevents visitation at that time.
- Visitors must do a three-minute scrub from fingertips to elbows and then place a gown over clothing (ties in the back).
- Visitors may visit for up to 30 minutes at the bedside. The nurses may request that you step out during procedures, X-rays, or emergencies.
- Designated visitors, such as grandparents, may visit once daily with parents’ approval, with or without parents being present. Their names must be on the visitation release form, and identification may be requested.
- All visitors MUST be free of possible contagious illness (no fever, runny nose, productive cough, diarrhea, suspicious rashes, etc.) for 24 hours. If a fever blister (cold sore) is present, you must wear a mask.
- Only two visitors may be at the baby's bedside at one time and must be 12 years or older.
- Visitors should not bring food, drinks, reading or sewing materials into the unit.
- Visitors must stay at their baby’s bedside. The nurses are not allowed to discuss other patients with you.
- Parents should feel comfortable calling at any time to check on their baby’s condition. Information is given to parents only. You must know your baby’s identification number or password before we can release any information.
- Parents may visit well-baby nursery immediately after delivery.
Nursery Phone Numbers: 601.703.9682 and 601.703.9683
Emergency Department
- Emergency Department patients are allowed one visitor per patient.
- Minor patients will be allowed to have both parents/legal guardians accompany them.
- Exceptions will be made for patients who are undergoing end-of-life or compassionate care. In these special circumstances, visitation will be coordinated as appropriate by the primary treating team.
COVID-19 Positive Inpatient Visitation
- COVID-19 positive patients are allowed to have one visitor per day between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Visitor must be 5 years of age or older.
- Visitor must remain in the patient's room at all times, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
