Hospital visitation bans

Due to the flu outbreak, hospital visitation has been banned. Does anyone know just how strict these rules are? Is it possible for a healthy individual to drop in for a quick 5-minute visit? This is regarding the medical center in Charleston, specifically the ENT department.

Give the hospital a call and ask them directly...

coastalowl8 said:Due to the flu outbreak, hospital visitation has been banned. Does anyone know just how strict these rules are? Can a healthy person even visit a patient for five minutes? This concerns the ENT department at the hospital in Charleston.

In Columbus, they might let you in with a mask for maybe two minutes tops.
As for Charleston, I haven't a clue.

Look, I feel like I need to weigh in on this topic...
To be perfectly honest, I’ve been hospitalized quite a few times over the years due to various health issues.
So, what follows is just my personal take, and I realize it might not align with how other "patients" feel.
But still...
Based on those personal stints in the hospital, I would actually Ban visitors entirely, and not just during flu season. Period.

When someone is lying in a hospital bed, one thing is absolutely certain—they aren't feeling their best.
And the last thing a person needs when they are that sick, exhausted, and vulnerable...
...is a sudden influx of visitors that only serves to drain their remaining energy and stall their recovery process.

And don't even get me started on the "roommates" you end up sharing space with.
First off, there is nothing worse than being completely wiped out—recovering from surgery or heavy medication—only to have a whole crowd of family and friends from the next bed over storm into the room. There is no way to guarantee that this group isn't carrying some sneaky bacteria, a virus, or some other bug right through the door...
It’s awful.

Secondly, these "crowds" usually lack any sense of situational awareness. They are either way too loud, wandering around the room like they own the place, or opening windows and doors to create a draft because they arrived bundled up and feel "too hot," while you're sitting there in thin pajamas, immunocompromised and fighting a fever. To make matters worse, they can be incredibly inconsiderate; if you try to tell them the draft is bothering you, they often act like they didn't hear a word, and when you're that weak, you simply don't have the strength to get into an argument.

So, to all the POTENTIAL VISITORS out there: please try to grasp the fact that someone is in the hospital because they are unwell, not because they are visiting a tourist attraction. For goodness' sake, just let them focus on getting better...!!!

If they need something, just pack it in a bag and ask the nursing staff to drop it off. Use your phones, send an email, or hop on a video call... we live in an age where communication options are practically endless.

At the end of the day, your dear friend or relative will likely recover much faster if you leave them in peace to heal. If you truly care about them, there are plenty of ways to show it that don't involve crowding their bedside. Wait until they are back home, and then you can shower them with attention and help them recover properly, because that is when your presence will be far more meaningful than it was in a sterile hospital ward.

That’s my two cents on VISITS.

As for the healthcare professionals, I would strongly suggest that you strictly enforce a Ban on visitors. It’s not just for the peace and speedy recovery of your patients, but for your own sake as well; I doubt that while you're trying to perform your duties with total focus and professionalism, you need to deal with aggressive or potentially infectious visitors hovering over your shoulder.

So, in favor of banning visitors in hospitals, I am raising not just one 👍, but three 👍👍👍

shadownomad43 said:Look, I have to say something about this topic...
Unfortunately, I’ve been hospitalized XY times due to my issues with pelvic pain.
So, here is my personal take—which, naturally, may not align with the views held by the other "patients" in the group.
However...
Based on my "hospital experiences," I would Ban visitors entirely—not just during flu season. Period.

When a person finds themselves in a hospital—that much is certain—one thing is absolutely guaranteed: they aren't exactly feeling their best.
And the last thing he needs—given how sick, pathetic, and utterly exhausted he is...
The visits have been nothing short of draining—they only serve to exhaust him further and stall his recovery process.

As for the patient's "roommates"—well, let’s just say I won't even go there.
First off, there is nothing quite as infuriating as when you’re lying there—completely drained after being carved up by surgeons and pumped full of meds—only to have a horde of friends and family from the next bed over storming into your room. It’s a nightmare, really; nobody can actually guarantee those people aren't bringing some sneaky little bacterium or virus along with them.
Absolutely dreadful.

Regarding point number two—these "hordes" generally lack any sense of consideration. They’re either far too loud, or they wander around the room as if they own the place—and then there's the constant opening of windows and doors to create a draft. They arrive bundled up because they're feeling "too hot," leaving those of us in light pajamas—immunocompromised and fighting for our lives with high fevers—to deal with the chill. To make matters worse, they can be incredibly rude; when you actually mention the draft, they simply pretend not to hear you. Honestly, one lacks the strength to argue with people like that.

Listen, to all the potential visitors out there—please, get a grip. Someone in the hospital isn't there because they’re feeling great; they're there because they’re sick. For heaven's sake, just let them focus on recovering...!!!

If he needs anything, just pack it in a bag and ask the nurse on duty to hand it over. Between cell phones, email, and Skype—communication options are practically endless these days.

Ultimately, your "favorite" friend, relative, or whoever—they’ll recover much faster if you just let them heal in peace. If you actually care about them that much, there are plenty of ways to show it besides hovering over them with constant visits. Wait until he’s back home before you start all that fussing—the coddling, the petting, the constant hovering—because he's going to need it. Then. Your presence would be more vital in a hospital than anywhere else.

Regarding VISITS.

To the healthcare professionals out there—I strongly suggest you strictly enforce that visitation Ban. It isn't just about ensuring your patients get some peace and can actually recover; it’s about protecting yourselves, too. Given how diligently and intently you have to carry out your duties, I don't see why you should also have to contend with unruly visitors—or worse, ones who might be infectious.

Regarding the ban on hospital visits—I’m raising more than just one flag. 👍Not two—three. 👍👍👍

That really comes down to the culture of the visitors.
As a visitor, one must always maintain a certain level of consideration for the other patients sharing the room.
If more people show up, we should probably cap it at two or three in the room—everyone else can just hang out in the hallway or take a walk outside. It usually works out naturally like that... you step out into the hall, someone else slips in, then you head back in once they leave. It’s just how we handle things.
One doesn't raise their voice in this room—quiet conversation is the rule. Though, in my family, once we start whispering, you know a real argument is brewing—haha.
- If a patient is awake and hasn't had any visitors, someone usually steps up to ask if they need anything—perhaps an attempt to figure things out on their own before bothering a nurse or similar staff.

It's those little things, really—though ultimately, it all comes down to being considerate of those around you. People need to be taught that; I'm not entirely sure one could manage a hospital stay without visitors, especially for any extended period.

Susan Anderson said:It really comes down to the etiquette of the visitor.
When you’re visiting someone, you have to maintain some level of consideration for the other patients sharing the room.
- If more than a couple of people want to stop by, there should probably only be two or three in the room at once; everyone else should wait in the hall or take a walk down the corridor. In our culture, it usually happens quite organically—you step out into the hallway, someone else steps in, then when they leave, you head back in, and so on.
- You shouldn't be talking loudly in the room. Conversations should be kept low, though in my family, whenever we start whispering, it's usually a sign that a massive argument is brewing, haha.
- If a patient is awake and doesn't have anyone visiting, sometimes people will ask if they need anything. They might try to figure something out themselves just to avoid calling the nurse.

It’s those little things, but ultimately it boils down to being mindful of the people around you. It's something people need to be taught, because honestly, I don't see how a hospital could function without visitors at all, especially during longer stays.

The point is, there seems to be a general lack of basic courtesy these days.
And as for being considerate, we could go on forever...
Those two or three people rotating in and out of the room... that constant shuffling "in and out"...
It's honestly exhausting.
It’s incredibly irritating for the person who is actually sick. In my long career working in hospitals, I haven't met a single roommate who was actually happy about visitors. Every single one of them was just counting the minutes until they finally left.

And let’s be honest, visitors rarely have anything meaningful to talk about in a hospital room. Not even in whispers, let alone out loud.
Then you have people trying to play doctor, attempting to solve problems for a patient...
For God's sake...
That is exactly why nurses exist. It is literally in their job description; it’s what they are paid to do. And most patients are paying their fair share into the healthcare system and taxes that fund those very salaries.
I'm not saying it isn't difficult work, but it is THEIR job, not the visitor's.

It might sound strange to some, but I have personally issued a Ban to all my friends, relatives, and acquaintances regarding visiting me if I ever find myself stuck in a hospital bed.
And I am so grateful to them for respecting that. Honestly, I wasn't bored for a second.

A hospital room is a hospital room. Most of the people in there are dealing with serious illnesses. And believe me, when you're feeling like that, you aren't in the mood for small talk or chatter...

As for those who feel the need to blather on, there is another place for that. It's called a coffee shop.

You go visit someone just to show you care—to let them know they aren't alone so they don't start spiraling into some dark, useless thoughts...
Maybe hospitals should just implement visitation rooms modeled after prison visiting areas—you know, put a nurse in there to make sure nobody’s touching or smuggling in chocolate or candy. I mean, who’s actually guaranteeing there isn't bacteria all over the wrapper? It's a hospital, for crying out loud, not some daycare center or a strip club.
That last bit was a joke, so don't take it personally.
Look, shadownomad43, what you're saying doesn't make sense to me... not everyone thinks with your level of blunt cynicism. Take a woman undergoing surgery for a tumor, for instance—having her kids and husband show up just to show support so she recovers faster... that kind of thing means everything to people.

So, I went out and picked up two masks today at 75 cents a pop, and honestly, I feel a hell of a lot safer now—not just for my own sake, but for everyone else out there too. It's about looking out for the community, you know?

Andrew Peterson2 said:People go to visit as a gesture of support, a way to show they aren't alone so the patient doesn't spiral into dark thoughts or nonsense.
Maybe we should just implement visitation rooms modeled after prison visiting areas, complete with a nurse standing guard to ensure there’s no physical contact or smuggling in chocolate and candy; after all, who can guarantee there isn't some bacteria lurking on the wrapper? It's a hospital, for heaven's sake, not a playground or a club.
That last part was a joke, so please don't take offense.
To you, shadownomad43, it might seem pointless, but not everyone shares your cynical outlook. Take, for instance, a woman undergoing surgery for a tumor—having her children or husband come by to offer support can be everything to someone trying to recover.

In my very first post on this thread, I noted that this is, and I quote: my personal opinion, which doesn't necessarily align with the views of other "patients."
Given that I have spent a significant amount of time in medical facilities, what I've written is rooted in actual lived experience rather than mere speculation.
I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how these much-touted "visits" affect people, both to myself and to other patients being treated.

Those who are fortunate enough in their lives to have never found themselves lying in a hospital bed cannot truly grasp the reality of what seriously ill individuals endure.

For me personally, visits under such circumstances are entirely unwelcome. When I am spread out like a starfish, tethered to various IV drips, drains, and catheters, drifting in and out of consciousness due to a high fever and heavily medicated, smelling of my own stagnation because I'm in no state to brush my teeth, let alone shower, while fighting death with my final atoms of energy...
...the absolute last thing I need is someone's "sympathetic faces" performing forced smiles with strained facial muscles, or their vague, rambling chatter that, in those moments, becomes indescribably irritating.
To me specifically, that isn't support; it's just an additional and completely unnecessary drain on my strength.
So, those of you advocating for visits probably haven't walked in those shoes, because if you had, you would understand exactly what I mean.
The risk of infection from potential bacteria, viruses, or parasites—that's secondary. Those are just added complications.
I repeat, THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION.

And based on that personal experience, I ASSERT that most people who have ever been hospitalized share this exact sentiment.

And, yes...
The idea of "visitation rooms" isn't actually a bad one, even if it was mentioned as a joke. For the vast majority of critically ill patients, it would make their stay significantly easier.

I got into a bit of a debate with shadownomad43 on the forums—we definitely don't see eye to eye on healthcare policy—but when it comes to visitation rules, I'm 100% on her side.
I second everything she said. 👍

There are day-care facilities available for a reason, so if people want to hang out and chat, they can do it there.

The absolute worst? People who show up and immediately claim my hospital bed. Like, sorry, but I shouldn't have to squeeze myself over just so you can get comfortable. No thanks.

Visits should be kept to a quick two-minute check-in—just long enough for a family member to drop off clean laundry and ask if anything is needed.
And honestly, I have zero tolerance for those massive family reunions involving rotisserie chicken and dessert trays in the middle of a ward. 😬

I'm not necessarily calling for a total Ban on visitors, but yeah, they seriously need to step up and enforce some actual order. Expecting people to have any sense of decorum? That’s just laughable.

Take my time in the hospital, for example. I was sharing a room with a woman who had been hospitalized more times than I can count. This wasn't her first rodeo, so she definitely knew how things worked.
Anyway, visiting hours rolled around. Since I wasn't stuck in bed, I went outside to walk around the courtyard with my family because crowding into a tiny room felt insane—it was already packed enough with just us patients, let alone visitors. I come back inside to find half her entire family there: husband, daughter, son-in-law, grandkids... Since there was zero space in the room, they all decided to make themselves right at home on my bed.
Just great. There I am, trying to get my treatment and rest, while someone is basically smoothing out my sheets with whatever backside they were using to sit on my bed. 🤮 It doesn't even occur to me to sit on a hospital bed in the clothes I wore outside, much less for a visitor to think it's okay to plop down on a patient's bed in street clothes.

It's even worse when you see mothers in postpartum wards getting swarmed by extended family, friends, and neighbors all wanting a peek at the baby. It's ridiculous. 😁

ist Quote

George Sanchez59 said:...
They should just have designated lounge areas for visitors so they can let loose however they want.

The absolute worst part is when people come in and just sit right on my bed. It leaves me with nowhere to move if I actually want to stretch out comfortably. Not exactly ideal.

Maybe limit visits to a quick two-minute check-in where a family member just drops off clean laundry and asks if you need anything.
And honestly, we really shouldn't tolerate those big family gatherings involving fried chicken and desserts. 😬

I couldn't agree more!

Back at the hospital near the Forest, they used to have visitor lounges on every floor... but then, once the US Army left for whatever ridiculous reason (they claim it was due to lack of space, even though the hospital has plenty of basement storage!), they shut them all down. Those lounges had TVs and radios... because it’s really not fun when your roommate brings in this massive TV that crowds the table, forcing you to adjust your little bedside stand even when you're stuck in bed... and then that TV blares 24/7 because she has no sense of boundaries... even if she's a sweetheart and keeps asking how I am, it's still not my TV.
There is space everywhere to set up a small lounge area with a TV; the hospital just needs to be willing to do it.

melloworca6 said:I'm not necessarily calling for a total ban on visitors, but there definitely needs to be some order and decorum. Expecting any level of etiquette from visitors is honestly laughable.
... I look up, and half her family is there—husband, daughter, son-in-law, grandkids... Since there isn't enough room in the room, the whole crew just makes themselves comfortable sitting on my bed.
It's just great—there I am trying to recover, getting my treatment, while someone is basically smoothing out my sheets with their backside after sitting everywhere else. 🤮 ... get out. 😁

We definitely need to implement some rules and structure!
Limit it to one visitor per patient. These rooms are barely big enough for two people, let alone more.

From my experience—and I've had quite a bit of it, along with some lovely roommates...
But still... When I underwent a lumbar puncture, both my neurologist and the attending physician ordered me to stay flat on my stomach for three or four days until the results came back. I wasn't even allowed to read or watch TV—just getting up for the bathroom.
My roommate had the same thing happen... but she got up the very same day because someone in her family had undergone the same procedure. She stood up after two hours and went outside to smoke. It was silly; there was no reason to stay pinned down. But then she ended up with a post-procedure headache and was practically drugged up on painkillers... so now the whole town wants to visit her, but since they can't coordinate, they end up having mini-gatherings several times a day. Meanwhile, I'm lying on my stomach... and they're looking at me expectantly, occasionally asking if they can sit down because they're tired or their legs ache!?!?!?...
After three days, I finally got up for a few minutes to use the restroom. When I got back to our room—which only fits two beds, two nightstands, and half an armoire—it was so cramped that five people were squeezed in there. They ended up sitting on my bed because there was literally nowhere else. And they didn't even bother to get up immediately... It's hard for me to stand, so I lie down on my stomach, and there they are, five people standing in a line over the length of my bed, making all this noise...
I agree, we definitely need to implement some restrictions... there are valid reasons why visits shouldn't be
unrestricted...

As for bringing in outside food... I would completely Ban that! Patients need to be under medical supervision in a controlled environment, not sneaking bites of fast food behind closed doors... I once knew a guy in the room next to me who was diabetic... when the nurses realized his friends were sneaking him cookies and heavy meals... they lost it... they gave him such a lecture that the entire floor heard it. They can't manage his blood sugar levels if they don't know what he's actually consuming...
In some places, you should only be allowed to bring in store-bought, factory-sealed items...
The whole thing about the burgers is real... people were bringing them to him... just imagine if he caught something like salmonella or norovirus... the hospital takes the blame... even though they aren't at fault... It’s just more trouble for them when they can't even pinpoint the cause...

Is there really a petition for day-patient rooms to have TVs in hospitals??

shadownomad43 said:The point is—people generally lack basic decorum.
And to explain why would take far too long...
Those two or three people in the room, drifting in and out... pacing from "inside to outside"...
It's dreadful...
It’s incredibly irritating for someone who is unwell. In my lengthy career in hospitals, I have never met a single roommate who was actually thrilled by visitors. Every single one was just waiting for them to finally leave.

And once they are in the hospital room, they have nothing to talk about. Not even a whisper, let alone speaking loudly.
As for some visitor thinking they can offer a patient some profound insight...
For God's sake...
That is what nurses are for. It is in their job description—they are paid for it. And patients, for the most part, dutifully pay their health insurance premiums and other taxes from which those salaries are drawn.
I am not saying it isn't difficult, but it is THEIR job, not the visitor's.

It might sound strange to some, but I have BANNED all my friends, relatives, and acquaintances from visiting me if I ever end up stuck in a hospital bed.
And I thank them all for respecting that. It wasn't boring at all.

A hospital room is a hospital room. Most people in there are seriously ill. And believe me, such people aren't in the mood for anything, much less idle chatter...

As for those who feel the need to babble, there is another place for that. They call it a coffee shop.

Geez, I wonder what it's like to be that way.

Anyway, I was a patient once too, and having support from my loved ones helped immensely. If I had been left alone with myself in a hospital bed all day... no thanks.
Moving on to a topic that is less intense x)

Imagine you’re stuck hooked up to machines all day, just staring at the ceiling while nobody checks in on you... and you can't even bug your sister to bring you something—you know, something personal or maybe just a quick run to Target.
I really hope you aren't thinking about calling home to ask them to drop stuff off, though... I mean, you are in the hospital, after all.

Why settle for order when you could just throw a party in a hospital room instead?!
I don't mind people visiting, but there’s no reason to cram a crowd into one tiny room.
That’s why setting visitor limits and designated visiting hours is actually a smart move.
Besides, you aren't alone in that room.
People are dealing with health issues here; they aren't lounging on a hotel patio, they're in a medical facility.
If you're looking for a party atmosphere, maybe book a luxury suite...
Let's show some basic courtesy and be mindful of the other patients.
This is a hospital, not a community center where everyone can wander around all day.
Order should always come first.

George Sanchez59 said:The absolute worst part is when people just waltz in and take up space on my hospital bed. Like, I’m supposed to just scoot over so they can stretch out their butts comfortably? Yeah, right.

Visits should be strictly limited to maybe two minutes—just enough time for a family member to drop off some clean laundry and check if you actually need anything.
And honestly, there should be zero tolerance for those big family get-togethers with rotisserie chicken and dessert trays cluttering up the place. 😬

Larry Scott43 said:I picked up two masks today for about 75 cents a piece, and I feel like I'm doing my part to stay safe and protect everyone else too.

I think this pretty much sums up the core issues here.

It’s great to have loved ones come by to offer support and a bit of hope, but it shouldn't come at the expense of anyone's health—not yours, and certainly not the other patients'. Plus, you really have to respect people's privacy and give them some breathing room in these shared wards.

There’s probably also a systemic failure on the medical staff's end.
Basically, it seems like everyone is expected to just have common sense and basic manners during such heavy, uncomfortable situations.
But more often than not, even the posted signs at the ward entrance might as well be written in a foreign language for all the good they do. 🙄

George Sanchez59 said:I got into a bit of an argument with shadownomad43 regarding certain topics, and we certainly don't see eye to eye when it comes to the healthcare system, but as far as hospital visitation goes, I am right there with her.
I second everything she said. 👍

There are outpatient facilities and day centers available for those who want to hang out, so they can go pass gas to their heart's content over there.

The absolute worst are the people who show up and immediately claim my hospital bed as their own personal lounge. As if I’m supposed to just scoot over so they can stretch out comfortably. Yeah, right.

Visits should be limited to a quick two-minute window where a family member drops off clean laundry and asks if anything is needed.
I have zero tolerance for those massive family reunions complete with rotisserie chicken and dessert trays. 😬

Oh, baby, baby... 🙂 (That's just how I talk to my favorites... it's practically my catchphrase. Anyway, let's move on... 🙂)
Where on earth did you get the idea that we were fighting...? 🤔
I viewed our little back-and-forth as nothing more than a healthy exchange of perspectives. 😁
After all, we live in a sovereign nation built on parliamentary democracy. 🙂
By the way, it actually warms my heart that we finally found at least one thing to agree on... 🎉

Andrew Peterson2 said:Let's say you're hooked up to machines constantly—nobody is checking in on you, and you can't even ask a sister to grab you something—maybe something personal or just a snack from the convenience store.
I certainly wouldn't suggest calling home to have them drop stuff off; after all, you're in a hospital.

I had the "pleasure" of spending two weeks in the ICU—plugged into quite a few interesting gadgets myself.
Believe me— you don't need anything from a store 😁when you're in that state, nor do you really care about personal items when you're tucked under a hospital sheet.

And visits? What visits?! My family came by, we exchanged a look, and I sent them on their way.
What you actually need is peace—pure, uninterrupted peace and sleep.

The real issue here is the patients out on the wards—most of them are mobile, they just prefer staying in bed—but then a whole swarm of family members rolls in from the nearby suburbs like a tidal wave, making noise and crowding the rooms like they're at a county fair.

At Varaždin Hospital, across the three different units where I was treated, there are lounges available everywhere—yet everyone just crowds into the patient rooms instead.

shadownomad43 said:Ah, baby, baby... (That's just my little catchphrase for the people I care about... Just let it go...)
Where on earth did you get the idea that we were arguing?!

We didn't argue—we just didn't have time to finish the fight!
And look, I'm not offended by "baby" 🙂, but being called "son" felt a bit condescending, if you know what I mean. 🕺
Perhaps we aren't so far apart in our thinking after all.😁

It actually makes sense why visits to the ICU are strictly banned... Given how critical the diagnoses are, life hangs by a thread. For instance, someone recovering from a stroke might succumb to a simple infection, which nurses tell us is often the primary cause of death. It’s usually a secondary infection; even just breathing the air exposes you to natural bacteria, but when an organism is that exhausted and depleted, its immune response just fails... making them highly vulnerable to even benign infections.

George Sanchez59 said:I had the distinct "pleasure" of spending two weeks in the ICU, tethered to a collection of rather fascinating medical devices.

Well, well...
My streak of good luck in the ICU lasted about two months... 😁
Well, that’s just great.
Connected to all sorts of medical machines, constantly poked and prodded—essentially drugged up on whatever they could find—it was easily the hardest thing I've ever had to endure. It was supposedly my "visiting hours," but the most absurd part of the whole ordeal was that those visits weren't even intended for me; they were meant for my roommates.
If I actually had the slightest bit of mobility left in me, I swear I’d have wiped them all out myself.

Grace Richardson24 As stated by:
We got ourselves into a bit of a standoff, but we didn't quite have enough time to actually settle the score.
I don't particularly care for anything regarding that "baby" situation. 🙂...but calling it a "fly in the ointment" felt like a bit of an overstatement, if you know what I mean. 🕺
It’s entirely possible we find ourselves standing on the same side of the fence more often than not.😁

Oh, Grace Richardson24... the moment you mentioned you were hitting those "serious years," I found myself liking you even more. It’s nothing personal, really—I’m certainly not at a stage in my life where I’d just toss someone aside, regardless of what their medical history might look like. 😁
Maybe take a look at things from a different perspective; did you skip foreign language classes back in school? 🤔
Baby equals kid, which ultimately means child.
It’s essentially like taking a rural Midwestern accent and trying to force it through the filter of a fast-talking New Yorker. 😁
As for where we stand on shared perspectives... Well... Perhaps it might actually be worth sticking around to see what else you have to say. 🙂 We might actually manage to find a few common threads if we looked hard enough... "A", "B", "G"... 🤣