IMPORTANT UPDATES

girl patient hugging visitor in pediatric hospital

At Children’s, we know that visiting a friend or loved one at the hospital can oftentimes come with a lot of questions—and we’re here to help you feel informed. Learn what to expect and how to prepare for visiting a patient at Children’s.

To maintain the health and safety of our patients, families and visitors, we ask anyone age 18 and older who is entering our hospitals to show a valid photo ID at our security check-in desks.

  • Egleston hospital: The security check-in desk is located in the front lobby across from the information desk, just outside of the gift shop.
  • Scottish Rite hospital: The security check-in desk is located in the front lobby.
  • Hughes Spalding hospital: The security check-in desk is located In the front lobby on the 1st floor, directly across from the main hospital entrance.

We will be screening all visitors against a variety of sources, including public registries. Acceptable forms of identification include government-issued driver’s licenses, state-issued IDs and passports. After checking in with security, visitors will receive a visitor pass that should be worn at all times while in the hospital.

To support a healing environment, smoking and the use of all tobacco products are not permitted at Children’s. This pertains to all indoor and outdoor areas of our campuses.

Our hospitals are under visiting restrictions.

If you’ve visited us recently, you know your safety is our top priority. Whether you have a scheduled appointment or need emergency care, we hope you’ll feel reassured by the extra precautions, including the visitor restrictions and screenings, we have in place to keep you safe.

VIEW LIMITATIONS

Before visiting our hospital locations, we ask all visitors to conduct an initial screen of the following questions:

  1. In the past 48 hours, has anyone had any of the following symptoms?
    • Significant respiratory symptoms (runny nose, cough, sneezing, etc.)
    • Vomiting and/or diarrhea
    • Fever
    • Fever and rash
    • Conjunctivitis/pink eye
    If you have any of the above symptoms, for the safety of our patients, please do not visit until the symptoms have resolved for at least 24 hours.th
  2. In the past month, has anyone been exposed (or possibly exposed) to any of the following contagious illnesses?
    • Measles
    • Chicken pox
    • Pertussis (whooping cough)
    • Mumps
    • Tuberculosis
  3. If you think that you may have been exposed to any of the above contagious illnesses, check with your doctor before visiting.

If you answered no to the above questions and do plan to visit one of our hospital locations, please always wash your hands prior to coming in contact with a hospitalized patient.

  • Parents and guardians: 24 hours a day, every day (unless a doctor of nurse says otherwise).
  • All other visitors: 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., every day.
  • Intensive Care Units (ICUs): Same as above, but special instructions apply. Ask staff about complete ICU visiting policies.

Visiting After Hours

Visitors who want to stay after normal visiting hours must:

  • Get permission from a parent or guardian and a nurse.
  • Sign in at the information desk when the end of visiting hours is announced.
  • Show a picture ID to get a visitor's sticker.
  • Wear the sticker in a visible place at all times.

Navigate your experience at Children’s with our mobile app.

Our free app uses map technology designed for use within hospitals to guide you to exactly where you need to be, allowing you to focus on your child rather than worrying about directions. Navigate your entire Children’s experience from the palm of your hand.

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