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Should friends and family accompany patients beyond the ED waiting room?

Accreditation Connection, January 16, 2006

Emergency Services Visitor Policy

Purpose: To outline the criteria for allowing visitors to be present in the emergency department (ED).

Policy: At the discretion of the ED physicians, ED staff, and the patient, one visitor for each patient is permissible in the ED. The visitor must remain in the patient's room/area. They will not be permitted to remain in the ED halls or at the desk.

Procedure:

1. The visitor assumes full responsibility for any emotional trauma and/or physical injury sustained while being exposed to various medical/nursing procedures.

2. The parents or guardian may remain with children unless physician requests otherwise or unless the child's care would be compromised by the presence of the parent's or guardian.

3. The ED staff may request Security to escort any visitor who is interfering or disruptive to patient care. If a visitor is escorted out of the ED against his/her wishes, notify the administrative supervisor on duty.

4. The administrative supervisor, physician or ED staff may request visitors to wait in the lobby if appropriate to expedite patient care and maintain the patient's and other patients right to privacy and confidentiality.

Source: Vail Valley (CO) Medical Center. Published with permission.

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