Hospital Visitor Guidelines

For most emergency department patients in Kansas City, 1-2 visitors are permitted in the waiting area and in the patient’s room.

Any person who runs a temperature or reports any cold- or flu-like symptoms should not accompany a patient into our facilities.

For most patients, we recommend limiting visitors to no more than 2 or 3, ensuring we have sufficient space to deliver quality care. Exceptions include:

• Additional support persons for patients nearing the end of life.
• 0 visitors for patients receiving cancer treatments/infusions (1 visitor allowed for cancer exam appointments) Visitors of COVID+ patients should adhere to infection prevention principles consistent with national standards of practice.
• Visitors are advised to follow current safety guidelines: Wear a gown, surgical mask, eye protection and gloves while visiting; wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting the room.

Any visitor who has a fever or other cold- or flu-like symptoms should not accompany a patient into our facilities.

Most patients with in-person appointments at Kansas City area locations may bring up to several guests as needed. Parents or guardians may bring children to their appointments or bring siblings to their children’s appointment.

Any visitor who has a fever or other cold- or flu-like symptoms should not accompany a patient into our facilities.

• Patients and visitors in surgical and procedural areas must follow hospital precautions for preventing infections, including masking.
• Up to 2 visitors may accompany patients in waiting areas.
• Visitors may remain in the waiting area during the patient’s procedure. If you step away – to visit our cafes, for example – please let us know and ensure we can reach you with any updates.
• For the safety, security and privacy of patients, visitors and staff, there may be times when visitors cannot be allowed in preprocedure and recovery areas. The ability to visit may change moment to moment, depending on the needs of patients and other conditions in the area.
• Staff in the waiting area will notify guests if visitation in preprocedure or recovery areas is possible. If not, staff will provide updates. If so, staff will escort 1 visitor to the preprocedure area after the patient is prepped or 1 visitor to the recovery area after the patient wakes up.
• To maintain a sterile environment and avoid risks, such as to radiation exposure, visitors are not allowed in operating or procedure rooms.
• Patients under age 18 may have 2 parents/legal guardians with them until going to the procedure room. After the procedure, staff will bring 1 or 2 parents/legal guardians to the recovery area dependent upon available space.
• Visitors younger than 18 should remain in waiting areas. Children younger than 12 must always be supervised by a responsible adult.

• 1 visitor allowed during a patient’s cancer exam or treatment at our Westwood cancer center location. 1 visitor allowed during a patient’s cancer exam but none during treatment – where space is limited – at our community cancer center locations. Check with staff about any concerns, as they may be able to consider select exceptions.
• Additional support persons allowed for patients nearing the end of life.
• Adult inpatients in semiprivate rooms may have 2 visitors, but visits should be coordinated so only 2 total visitors are in a room at a time due to space limitations.