Visiting Hours and Guidelines

While visitors can help patients to heal, it is important for all of us to recognize the importance that rest and recuperation play in the patient’s healing process. We work hard to make sure patients and visitors have a pleasant experience in a quiet, secure and restful environment. Your help is requested in abiding by these rules. In accordance with federal regulations, South Sunflower County Hospital recognizes that all patients have visitation rights and are allowed to have a designated support person. Patients will be informed of their rights, subject to his or her consent, to receive the visitors whom he or she designates, including but not limited to, a spouse, a domestic partner (including a same-sex domestic partner), another family member, or a friend. Patients shall have the right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time. South Sunflower County Hospital will not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. South Sunflower County Hospital reserves the right to limit visitation as deemed appropriate or as clinically necessary. The following are examples where visitation may be limited:

●infection control issues
●visitation may interfere with the care of other patients
●the hospital is aware that there is an existing court order restricting contact
●visitors engage in disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior of any kind
●the patient is undergoing care interventions
●In the case of a pandemic event, such as widespread influenza, hospital visitation may be limited based on recommendations of the local county health department.

1.) Hospital personnel may question visitors at any time to determine the need to be on the premises.

2.) A visitor who is unruly or who ignores requests to stay in the designated areas may be asked to leave by hospital personnel.

3.) Any visitor may be asked to leave at any time when deemed appropriate by hospital personnel.

Visitation Hours and Guidelines

PLEASE NOTE: With the increase in statewide COVID cases and how quickly we may need to respond to changes in these policies, visitor guidelines may be subject to change without notice.

Policy:

In accordance with federal regulations, South Sunflower County Hospital recognizes that all patients have visitation rights and are allowed to have a designated support person. Patients will be informed of their rights, subject to his or her consent, to receive the visitors whom he or she designates, including, but not limited to, a spouse, a domestic partner (including a same-sex domestic partner), another family member, or a friend. Patients shall have the right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time. South Sunflower County Hospital will not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. South Sunflower County Hospital reserves the right to limit visitation as deemed appropriate or as clinically necessary. The following are examples where visitation may be limited:

●infection control issues
●visitation may interfere with the care of other patients
●The hospital is aware that there is an existing court order restricting contact
visitors engage in disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior of any kind
●The patient is undergoing care interventions
●In the case of a pandemic event, such as widespread influenza, hospital visitation may be limited based on recommendations of the local county health department.
●Hospital personnel may question visitors at any time to determine the need to be on the premises.
●A visitor who is unruly or who ignores requests to stay in the designated areas may be asked to leave by hospital personnel.
●Any visitor may be asked to leave at any time when deemed appropriate by hospital personnel.

Inpatients:
South Sunflower County Hospital will allow visitation to patients daily during the hours of 7 am to 7 pm. During this time, patients may have a maximum of 3 visitors in the room at a time

●If a patient requires an overnight guest, this will need to be approved by the admitting physician.
●Children under the age of twelve (12) are permitted to visit hospital patients. Only one (1) child visitor under the age of twelve (12) may visit at one time, and the child must always be accompanied and supervised by an adult while on hospital premises. Minors must have one parent/guardian stay with them throughout the duration of their stay.

Obstetrics:
●OB patients will be allowed one support person to stay overnight if they are laboring/delivery is imminent.
●All siblings, regardless of age, are allowed to visit after delivery and recovery. Visits should be limited to 30 minutes and supervised by an adult.
●Exceptions to the visitation limitations may be made at the discretion of the attending provider

Outpatients:
Wound Care patients, Outpatient surgery, and OBs receiving ultrasounds will be allowed ONE support person/caregiver to be with them if needed.

ER:
●All adult Emergency Room patients will be allowed ONE visitor/caregiver if the provider deems it necessary for the care/treatment of the patient.
●Pediatric Emergency Room patients must have one parent/guardian with them during the duration of the visit.

Procedure:
All patient visitors must enter through the main lobby entrance of the hospital.
Visitors are to go directly to the patient’s room and remain in the room the entire time they plan to visit.
The front desk personnel will announce when visitation hours are ending.
Emergency Room visitors are to enter through the Emergency Department on the north side of the hospital.
At any time, visitors to patients may be further restricted at the request of a physician, nurse, or patient.

Spiritual and Pastoral Practices

Religious preference is determined at the time of admission for all in and out-patients treated at South Sunflower County Hospital. The hospital staff will support the spiritual needs of the patient regardless of the patient's beliefs or practices, respecting the patient's freedom of religion.

A chapel is provided in the hospital for use by any patient and their family, as well as for staff. The clergy of any denomination is encouraged to visit their patients in the hospital.

When situations are stressful, the staff is encouraged to ask patients and family if they would like the clergy notified. At the patient's request, we will obtain a member of the patients' clergy, whenever possible.

Any refusal of medical treatment, including but not limited to religious belief will be supported by the hospital staff.