Family Presence & Visitation Policies

MUSC Health is committed to a patient- and family-centered approach to care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families, and care team members. 

Policy & Purpose

MUSC Health welcomes the presence and participation of families, visitors and other partners in care, according to patient preferences, in order to promote a healing environment for the patient. MUSC Health will make every reasonable effort to facilitate access to our hospitals by family and visitors, while ensuring that staff and physicians can safely and compassionately care for patients.

• Two family members are welcome at the patient's bedside 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to promote communication, meet the cognitive and emotional needs of the patient and family, and to enhance the family caregiver's knowledge and skill.
• For the safety and security of you and your child, please bring a photo ID to obtain a visitor's badge at the Welcome Desk. All inpatient units are locked for the protection of our patients, families, and care team members. Everyone must wear a badge while in the hospital.
  
  •  Parents or guardians may obtain a family badge 48 hours after the patient has been admitted from the Information Desk on level 01 or ground level (Lower Lobby). Family badges are only issued in the inpatient setting and must be turned in at the information desk or to a care team member upon discharge.
• For the safety of our patients, any visitor showing signs of illness is asked not to visit the Children's Hospital. Signs and symptoms include, but are not limited to, persistent cough, sneezing, rash, fever, chills, weakness, fatigue, vomiting, and dizziness.
• MUSC Health reserves the right to limit or restrict visitation.

Definitions

Family: The patient chooses who they consider to be their family. Most often these individuals are the patient's primary support persons – those who normally provide a patient with significant physical, psychological or emotional support. Examples might be a close family member, domestic or same-sex partner, spouse, sibling or best friend. Patients define who is family, and how they will be involved in their care. In pediatrics, family members are defined by the patient's parents or legal guardians.

Patient's Personal Representative: It is helpful if patients can choose one support person to serve as their "spokesperson" for family presence and visitation. The spokesperson can help relay information to family and friends, manage the patient's visitation preferences and help coordinate "switching'' of visitors when appropriate.

Visitors: Any person who does not play a significant role in the on-going care of the patient.

Child: Any person less than 18 years of age except for emancipated minors.

Patient & Family Centered Care (PFCC): An approach to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families, and health care providers. PFCC applies to patients of all ages and can be practiced in any health care setting.

Security and Information Desks: These desks are staffed by various MUSC Health staff including; security, house concierges and/or information specialists. They greet patients, family, visitors, staff and volunteers, assist with way-finding, identification and badging, and overall customer service. 

What to Bring When Visiting

• Before you bring gifts with flowers or food, please check with the patient's nurse to make sure that there are no existing allergy or dietary restrictions.
• Please refrain from bringing latex balloons into the hospital. Mylar balloons are a welcome alternative.