Updates

Patients and Families Visitor Guidelines

At Texas Children’s you and your loved ones are highly regarded as partners in care. We welcome and encourage friends and family members to be present and provide support.

Pediatric Inpatient Units in Legacy Tower including the Heart Center, Critical Care and ACHD, West Tower (except NICU), West Campus and The Woodlands

To promote family-centered-care while also providing a restful environment for our patients: visiting hours are between 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

  • Families are allowed up to eight (8) healthy individuals of any age on a visitation list for the duration of their stay in Legacy Tower. Health screening will be done before going to the unit.
  • During visitation hours, up to four (4) individuals of any age are welcome at the bedside at one time. This includes caregivers, siblings, children of a patient, family and friends. Bedside team may limit the number of people at the bedside on certain situations.
  • Up to two (2) adult caregivers may be present with the patient at the bedside after visiting hours. To encourage infant bonding and healthy attachment, breastfeeding siblings of a patient or children of a primary caregiver, who are 12 months or younger, may also stay and do not count towards the number of bedside visitors. Parents must provide a safe sleeping surface and needed supplies for the infant.
  • To maintain safety, all children must be supervised by an accompanying adult at all times. Children may visit up to four hours every day.

Pavilion for Women Inpatient Units including Women’s Specialty Unit and Mother/Baby Units

To promote family-centered-care while also providing a restful environment for our patients: visiting hours are between 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

  • During visitation hours, up to four (4) healthy individuals of any age are welcome at the bedside at one time. This includes caregivers, siblings, children of a patient, family and friends.
  • To maintain safety, all children must be supervised by an accompanying adult at all times.
  • Up to two (2) adult caregivers may be present with the patient at the bedside after visiting hours.
  • Patients on Labor & Delivery are permitted up to four (4) adult visitors throughout the duration of their stay on the unit.

Newborn Center (NICU) in the Medical Center, Pavilion for Women and The Woodlands

  • Families are allowed up to six (6) healthy, adult visitors on a visitation list for the duration of their stay in the Newborn Center.
  • Up to two (2) healthy visitors are welcome at bedside at one time.
  • Siblings of a patient or children of a primary caregiver, 5 years or older, are allowed to visit. Only one sibling will be allowed at bedside at one time and will be limited to a 4-hour visitation block.
  • Siblings are also required to complete a temperature screening upon arrival. Ill siblings may not return until 24 hours after being symptom free without medication.
  • Siblings younger than 14 who are visiting the Newborn Center (NICU) do best when prepared for the environment. We recommend talking to your child’s nurse about a visit with a Child Life Specialist, who can help siblings understand what to expect prior to their visit.

Surgery, Procedure Suites, Cath Lab

  • Up to two (2) healthy, adult caregivers are welcome to accompany each patient.
  • In order for us to best care for our patients we are unable to accommodate visitors under the age of 18 at this time.

Pediatric Emergency Center

  • Up to two (2) healthy, adult caregivers may accompany each patient.
  • Due to the size of rooms, we recommend that families do not bring siblings/children when alternate childcare is available for them.

Women’s Assessment Center

  • Up to one (1) healthy, adult support person may accompany each patient.
  • In order for us to best care for our patients we are unable to accommodate additional visitors at this time.

Ambulatory Visits for Pediatric and Adult Patients including Clinics, Therapies and Outpatient Treatments

  • Healthy caregivers and family members may accompany a patient to an ambulatory visit.
  • We ask that you limit the number of family members present when possible, due to the size of the rooms.
  • Some clinics may limit visitation based on space constraints and will notify families directly, if needed.

Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Urgent Care and The Centers for Women and Children

  • Any caregivers or family members are welcome to accompany a patient to their visit.

COVID-19 Positive and PUI Visitation Guidelines

For patients who have a COVID-19 test result pending (PUI) and patients who test positive for COVID-19.

  • Visitation in all settings is limited to up to two (2) healthy adult visitors.
  • Visitors should wear masks and practice appropriate handwashing at all times whether in or out of the patient’s room. This includes hallways, elevators, gift shops, food courts, etc.

Safety is a priority at Texas Children’s. Some areas may ask for limited visitation due to space constraints or to meet the needs of the patient. In these instances, a team member can assist in helping to identify a comfortable waiting space. We ask that you kindly follow the visitation recommended by the patient’s care team, and we encourage you to speak with them if you have questions or require special accommodations.