Visitor Guidelines
We understand how important the presence of families and visitors is in the health and well-being of our patients and families. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) closely monitors the spread of disease in our community and adjusts our visitation policies as needed to keep our patients, families and staff safe. At this time, the following visitor guidelines are in place. Please read carefully before visiting any CHOP location.
Masks Optional
For your protection, masking is strongly recommended for:
- Anyone with respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose or sore throat) in all settings
- Anyone in Emergency Department, Urgent Care, Specialty Care and Primary Care waiting areas because there may be individuals with respiratory symptoms waiting to be seen
- Immunocompromised or high-risk individuals (per CDC guidelines) in all settings
Masks are always available for anyone who wants to wear one. If you need a mask, please ask a staff member for assistance.
For inpatient visits at the hospital
In addition to siblings, patients are allowed to have up to six visitors total during a hospital stay. These six pre-approved visitors may be updated weekly.
- Two of the six designated visitors should be the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the patient, unless another individual is identified based on the family’s situation (such as a Support Person to ensure effective communication and full and equal access to healthcare services). These two visitors must be at least 18 years old and may remain at the bedside at all hours.
- Four additional Support Persons can be named at the family’s discretion and must be 18 years or older and may visit during visiting hours: between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Siblings: We encourage a family presence at your child’s bedside and welcome sibling visitors – no matter the age.
- All minors under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult visitor (18 years or older), so the care of these visitors does not distract from the patient’s care at the bedside.
- Siblings will be identified at the time of your child’s admission to the hospital and entered into our electronic medical record. Identified siblings should not change during hospitalization.
- Whenever possible, only two visitors should accompany your child at the bedside at a time.
- All visitors must be symptom free (without fever, cough or other concerning symptoms), not recently exposed to COVID-19 or other illnesses (such as pertussis, chicken pox, tuberculosis or measles) and cannot have testing pending for COVID-19.
- All visitors will be screened at each visit for signs of illness.
- Prior to arrival, visitors should complete this symptom screening questionnaire, and then show their pass to staff at the Welcome Desk or at entrance to the unit where the patient is admitted. The symptom screening questionnaire can also be completed at time of entry by scanning a QR code with a smartphone. Visitors who do not have a smartphone can approach staff at the Welcome Desk to be screened in person.
- For safety reasons, if a visitor shows symptoms of illness, they will not be able to visit that day. If both parent(s) or legal guardian(s) (or Support Persons, if any) do not meet screening criteria, we will recommend that you identify an alternate caregiver, or partner with our staff to support your child.
Read more information about what to expect when you come to the Hospital or Emergency Department »
For outpatient visits at all CHOP locations
In addition to siblings, a patient can have up to two primary caregivers accompany them to an outpatient visit. These two caregivers should be parent(s) or legal guardian(s), unless another individual is identified based on the family's situation (such as a Support Person to ensure effective communication and full and equal access to healthcare services).
Any sibling age 2 and older will be screened upon arrival and should follow current masking guidelines, just like adult visitors.
All visitors, including siblings, must be symptom free (without fever, cough or other concerning symptoms), and not recently exposed to COVID-19 or other illnesses (such as pertussis, chicken pox, tuberculosis or measles), and cannot have testing pending for COVID-19. Anyone accompanying the patient will be screened at each visit for signs of illness.
Guidelines for ALL visitors to ANY CHOP location
- All eligible visitors must be symptom free, not recently exposed to COVID-19 or other illnesses (such as pertussis, chicken pox, tuberculosis or measles), and cannot have testing pending for COVID-19.
- All eligible visitors will be screened at each visit for signs of illness, including fever, cough or GI symptoms. For safety reasons, if anyone is showing symptoms of illness, they will not be able to visit.
- Vaccination for COVID-19 is highly encouraged for all eligible children and adults.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your child’s nurse or a member of their care team. Thank you for partnering with us.
Frequently asked questions
Can we have our spiritual advisor see our child?
For families who would like a spiritual advisor to see their child, CHOP has multifaith chaplains available 24/7. If you’d like a visit from a spiritual advisor, please ask your nurse to connect with our CHOP Spiritual Care Team to facilitate a visit according to your family’s preferred religious tradition.
What if my family has extenuating circumstances?
Please ask your nurse to speak to the social worker for the area and nursing leadership. We will discuss your extenuating circumstances with you and let you know what supports we can provide.
Questions?
If you have questions about any of these policies, please contact Family Relations at 267-426-6983 or email familyrelations@chop.edu.
Updated July 13, 2023
