Visitors
Families are not considered visitors. We welcome families as partners in the healthcare team. There may be times that it is in the best interest of the patient, or according to patient wishes, that family presence may be limited. For example, when the patient is in a semi-private room, the needs and wishes of both patients are equally respected. Please work with other members of the healthcare team to decide what works best in each situation.
Visitation hours vary for each hospital unit. Please check with the patient’s hospital unit to confirm these hours.
Children under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult other than the patient at all times. It is important to prepare a child before coming to the hospital. Some children may react negatively or become frightened by the medical equipment or seeing their family member in a strange place. Some units require that children receive a health screen before visiting. Check with the Patient Visitor Representative before bringing a child as a visitor.
Overnight Visitors
Some patient rooms may not have space to safely accommodate overnight guests. The safety of everyone including patients, family and staff is a priority. In situations where there is a semi-private room, both patients' needs and wishes must be respected.
Visitors or family who plan to stay after 9 pm will need to obtain a visitor’s badge from a patient visitor representative. If a patient visitor representative is not available, please see the unit's secretary to obtain this badge. This is a safety and security measure. Indiana Unviersity Health security will recognize persons with a badge as someone who is permitted in the building after 9 pm. If family members need to stay in a family lounge area, we ask that they are courteous and respectful.
Shower facilities are available 9 am – 8 pm at the Indiana University Health Methodist Tower for visiting family members at no additional charge. To access the facilities, please call 317.925.9831, and a patient visitor representative will schedule you an appointment and direct you to a shower area.
Patient Health Updates
Family and friends may want to call and check on you. Please follow these guidelines for patient health updates:
- Ask your nurse for the appropriate phone number for your hospital unit.
- Choose one family member to call for updates on your health condition. Make it that individual's job to share the updates with extended family and friends. This will protect your privacy and prevent several calls to the hospital regarding the same patient.
- Some hospital units require a code word before the nurses release your medical information over the phone. Your nurse will assign a code word that you may give to a designated family member. If someone calls without the right code word, the hospital will not release any information.