At The Hospital: For Visitors

When someone is sick or in the hospital, a visit can help cheer them up. But it's also important to remember that when someone is sick, they may be tired or simply not in the mood to see visitors other than a few selected ones. Therefore, it's a good idea to be sensitive to a patient's needs.

• If you know someone will be in the hospital for a few days, ask in advance if they want to see people when in the hospital, or if they're prefer to see people when they get home.
• Keep visits short, limit the number of people in the room at one time and be aware of whether the patient seems tired.
• If you have a cold, sore throat or other contagious problem, avoid visiting in person until you're feeling well.
• Be courteous of others patients in the same or adjoining rooms by keeping noise levels down.
• Ask beforehand about gifts of flowers or foods; some patients are allergic or may be on restricted diets. (Read about "Pollen Allergies" "Food Allergies") Ask too about balloons; many facilities don't allow latex or other types of balloons inside the hospital. (Read about "Latex Allergy") Additional restrictions may apply in critical care areas.

If you're planning to visit someone in person, you'll also want to find out about parking and when visiting hours start and end.

Related Information:

    Anesthesia

    Medical Procedures

    Learn About Your Procedure

    At the Hospital: For Patients