Visitation Policy

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours at North Country Healthcare (NCH) hospitals will generally be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day, including holidays. Unit-specific visiting restrictions (i.e. ICU, Labor and Delivery) may be imposed based on individual circumstances.

General Visitation Guidelines

1. Each patient has the right, subject to their consent, to receive any visitors whom they designate, including, but not limited to, a spouse, domestic partner, family member, caregiver, or representative. A patient who is a minor may have a parent, guardian, or person standing in place of a parent visit the facility while the minor patient is receiving care.

2. Generally, only two visitors may visit a patient at a time. Additional visitors may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis.

3. Minors under the age of 12 who are visiting must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult visitor at all times.

Visitation for Terminally Ill Patients

If the patient is considered terminally ill by the provider responsible for the patient’s care, then the patient’s parents, if a minor, or the patient’s spouse, next of kin, unmarried partner, or personal representative (chosen by the patient), if an adult, may visit the patient without restriction.

Limitations to Visitation

1. Absent express permission by the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or designee, visitors are not permitted to enter operating rooms, isolation rooms, isolation units, or any other restricted areas. Visitors will be limited to common areas and rooms, units, or wards in which the patient they are visiting is receiving care.

2. The NCH hospital may deny, limit, or restrict visitation when:

a. the presence of the visitor would be medically or therapeutically contraindicated based on the best clinical judgment of health care professionals involved in the patient’s care;
b. the presence of the visitor would interfere with the care of or rights of any patient;
c. the visitor is engaging in disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior towards any health care professional, staff member, patient, or other visitors;
d. the visitor is exhibiting signs or symptoms of influenza, COVID-19, or any other infectious disease that could affect the care or safety of health care professionals, staff members, patients, or other visitors; or
e. the visitor is noncompliant with hospital policy.

3. Visitors must follow the NCH hospital’s personal protective equipment guidelines and safety protocols at all times while in the hospital. Failure to comply will result in a revocation of visitation rights.

4. If requested, NCH will provide the patient, or the patient’s representative if the patient is incapacitated, with the reason for a denial, limitation, or revocation of visitation rights.

Non-Discrimination

Visitations shall not be denied, limited, or restricted on that basis of age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, disability, or religion.

Visiting Colebrook

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