Parent and Visitor Information

Pediatric Unit

Telephones: Every patient room as a direct telephone line. Cellular telephones are not allowed in the Pediatric Unit because they can interfere with medical equipment. Cell phone use is permitted in the lounge outside the entrance to the unit.

Visiting: All visitors need to be healthy. Please do not visit if you are not feeling well (see infection control guidelines below). Parents and grandparents may visit a child at any time. Siblings may visit during visiting hours if accompanied by a parent. Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Family and visitor badges: Identification badges are required 24 hours a day. All visitors and family members must get visitor badges at the nurses' station and return them after each visit.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Telephones: Every patient room as a direct telephone line. Cellular telephones are not allowed in the Pediatric Unit because they can interfere with medical equipment. Cell phone use is permitted in the lounge outside the entrance to the unit.

Visiting: All visitors need to be healthy. Please do not visit if you are not feeling well (see infection control guidelines below). Parents must provide immunization information prior to visiting. Grandparents and siblings must be escorted by a parent. Sibling visits may be limited during winter and flu season. Please ask the nurse for more detailed information about sibling visits. Other visitors who are at least 14 years old may visit if the baby's parents are present. We ask that families limit visitors to four people at the bedside at one time. This number may be decreased if the clinical staff determines that the baby should have limited stimulation.

Family and visitor badges: Identification badges are required 24 hours a day. All visitors and family members must get visitor badges at the nurses' station and return them after each visit. Parents of infants in the NICU receive parent security badges that are returned when the baby is discharged.

Meals

Theda Clark Medical Center has a full-service cafeteria located on the lower level. Hours are:

Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Continental breakfast: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Lunch: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Dinner: 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Vending machines are accessible 24 hours a day on the lower level and on the first level of the West Pavilion. Soda machines are located on the third floor in the NICU networking room and throughout the hospital. A coffee shop is located on the first floor off the central hall near the gift shop ad Emergency Department. Parents may bring food or drinks from home. A small refrigerator is available in the main lobby area off the elevators on the third floor.

Infection Control Guidelines

Handwashing: Handwashing is the single most effective way to decrease the spread of germs. It is important to wash your hands with soap and water after feeding, changing diapers or helping your child in the bathroom, as well as after you have eaten and after you have used the bathroom. In addition, in the NICU you must wash your hands with soap and water for two minutes before entering the room.

Isolation: The purpose of isolation is to help prevent the spread of germs among patients, visitors and hospital staff. The type of isolation depends on how the germ causing the illness spreads. Germs can enter the body through the air or from exposure to stool, blood or other body fluids. If a child is in isolation, a sign will be posted on the door outlining special precautions that need to be taken. Please ask the child's nurse if you have any questions.

Patient safety: Infectious diseases can be carried into a hospital from the outside. Therefore, we ask that you do not pick up, hold, feed or play with any child in the hospital buy your own. Doing so may cause harm to you, your child or other patients. These guidelines will help protect you and children you have at home from illness and protect other children in the hospital from accidental injury or illness.

Visitors' health: If family members or friends have colds or other infectious diseases, please do not allow them to visit your child. If any family members have been exposed to measles or chicken pox within the last 21 days and never had the illnesses, please do not allow them to visit. Be sure all children visiting are up-to-date on their immunizations.