Visiting a Patient

We welcome and encourage visitors. Family and friends may provide comfort and help with recovery. Each patient has the right to choose who visits. Patients have the right to withdraw or deny consent for visitors at any time.

Visitor Guidelines

Please keep the following in mind while visiting:

• Masks are optional for patients, staff and visitors.
• The safety of our patients and staff is a priority; we may limit visitors in certain situations (patient health, infectious disease, legal restrictions, etc.)
• We may ask you to leave the room during tests, treatments or medical staff visits
• If you have a cough, fever or other contagious condition (i.e COVID), postpone your visit
• During flu season, we may restrict visitors
• Flowers are not permitted in critical care units
• Latex balloons are not permitted in the hospital (order hospital-safe balloons)
• North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health maintain tobacco-free facilities, both inside and outside
• Ask a staff member for help with any personal protective equipment that may be required before entering your loved one’s room
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer every time you enter and leave your loved one’s room
• Check with a nurse before offering your loved one food, drink or medicines from home
• Wear appropriate clothing, including a shirt and shoes
• Respect the privacy of other patients and families
• Keep noise to a minimum
• Stay in your loved one’s room or a waiting room so we can keep the hallways clear
• Overnight visitors allowed on Labor & Delivery and Mother/Baby. Other areas will need approval from the unit director, including kids during visits or appointments.
• Parents, family members and visitors over the age of 16 are allowed to visit our NICU. Those under the age of 16 must be siblings of the infant to visit. Visitor restrictions may vary throughout the year as our team monitors health risks.

Note: there may be additional restrictions for children under 14. Our complete Visitation Policy is available upon request.

Special Precautions

If your loved one’s condition requires you to take special precautions before entering the room, we’ll place a sign outside the door. A nurse will advise you of the steps necessary to protect the patient, yourself, our staff and the general public. Please follow these directions.