Visitors
We understand that family members and friends play an important role in the healing process, and we encourage loved ones to participate as much as possible. The patient's physician and nurse first want to be sure that you are able to have visitors; they will consider the risk of infection, your medical status, and the health of those who are visiting. This section should be helpful to those who are planning to visit a friend or loved one in the hospital. If you have any questions, contact your physician or your nurse, or call the hospital at (510) 537-1234.
How You Can Help
Your concern and support are important to patients during this time. You can help by creating a calm and healing environment, and by offering help in the simplest ways: conversation, reading, providing music, providing items that are of comfort to the patient. If you see that the patient is in need of something or if you have a concern, contact the nurse for assistance.
Also, ask the nurse how you can be of assistance during your visit. Please do not help the patient out of bed or move the patient without talking to the nurse.
You may want to bring food or beverages that the patient has requested, but please do so only with approval from the nurse. Patients are often on restricted diets because of a medical condition or because of concern about interaction with their medications. It is best to talk to the nurse, doctor or the dietitian.
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Visiting Hours
Eden Medical Center encourages family participation in our patient’s care and healing process with an open visitation policy. This means that we have unrestricted visiting hours. However, there may be special circumstances that require some restrictions on this policy. In addition, there may be times when staff may request visitors leave the patient’s bedside for a limited time. We appreciate your support in promoting a quiet, healing and restful environment by respecting the needs and privacy of our patients. Visiting children must be supervised by a responsible adult, other than the patient, at all times. Please thoroughly wash your hands before and after visiting.
Visiting in Critical Care Areas
The visiting hours in our critical care units (ICU, CCU and Neuro ICU) vary due to the health status of the patient. In general, visiting hours are allowed at the discretion of the patient’s nurse.
Flowers, plants and food (i.e., fruit baskets) are not allowed in critical care units. Visitors who are ill should not visit the critical care area.
Visiting the Birthing Center
Due to the risk of H1N1 infection, which is particilarly dangerous for infants and pregnant women, children under the age of 16 are not allowed to visit the 2nd floor (Women's Health Services and the Birthing Center). This policy will be in effect until further notice.
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Children
All children who visit the hospital must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For the safety of the children and others, children cannot wait unattended in hallways, waiting rooms, or be left alone with the patient.
If a child has a cough or cold, it is best not to have him or her visit a patient in the hospital because the patient may not be able to fight off a virus. If a child must accompany an adult, please ask the nurse for a mask for the child. It is also best to wash their hands before and after visiting.
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Privacy
We appreciate your support in promoting a healing and restful environment by respecting the needs and privacy of our patients. If a patient is sharing a room, please respect the physical and emotional needs of the other patient. Frequent visitors, large crowds and noise are difficult for hospital patients to handle. Please limit visitors to two at a time.
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Cell Phones
Cell phone use is restricted in some areas of the hospital. Please be aware of posted signs or ask a staff member.
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Release of Information
Family, friends and neighbors often call or inquire about the status of a patient while in the hospital. Federal and state laws are very strict about the release of information. To protect the privacy and security of our patients, we do not provide detailed information over the phone or in person without specific authorization from the patient or the patient's guardian. In general, if the patient agrees, we can release a simple description of the patient's health status, such as Good, Fair, Serious or Critical.
Some patients request "No Information" status, meaning that we cannot release any information to anyone or even confirm that the patient is in the hospital. In such a case, we must honor the patient's request at all times.
Patients may want to designate a family member as a contact or liaison for all inquiries about the patient. This allows friends and loved ones to stay informed and provide assistance if needed.
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