Visitor Information
To ensure a safe environment for the Gila Regional Medical Center patients
and visitors, we have updated our patient and visitor policies.
While we understand the important role that family members and visitors
play in a patient’s healing process, the new policies aim to balance
the needs of patients while maintaining a safe environment for all. Our
focus remains on doing what we do best — healing those who are ill
and keeping our patients, visitors, and staff safe. Rest assured that
we are prepared, our protocols are updated daily, and we have clinical
and operational plans in place for the hospitals and clinics.
Visitation Policy
All family and friends are welcome to visit patients at GRMC as set out
herein. General visitation hours when the main hospital doors are open
to receive visitors are from
6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- All patients, with the patient's consent, have the right to receive
visitors designated by the patient, including but not limited to a spouse,
domestic partner, another family member, friend, or those individuals
designated by legally valid advance directives, durable powers of attorney,
health care proxies, or guardianship appointments. The patient may withdraw
such consent at any time upon notice to GRMC.
- The patient's desire regarding who is designated by them to visit shall
be followed without restriction or limitation or denial of visitation
privileges based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender
identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
- GRMC shall ensure that all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges
consistent with the patient's preferences.
- All patient-designated visitors shall have permitted access to patients
as consented to by the patient regardless of whether they have a legally
recognized relationship.
- Restriction of visitor access will be done based on patient request and
as is reasonable and clinically necessary and shall not be based on any
of the prohibited classifications set out in this policy; and
- Patient-designated visitors will be given the opportunity to fully participate,
if possible, in planning for the patient's care and treatment as requested
by the patient.
- The number of visitors per room is not restricted but may need to be to
support our goal of providing a restful and healing environment for all
our patients. Visitors may be asked to leave a patient room or non-public
care area when it is clinically necessary when it is requested by the
patient when the patient's privacy needs dictate such restrictions
if the patient care is being disrupted by the visitation, if the visitor's
behavior is disruptive or abusive to the patient or GRMC caregivers or
providers, or if the total number of visitors in a room is determined
to be disruptive to the care of the patients in the room.
- Patients and their families will be provided with information about visitation
at the time of admission. Caregivers on GRMC nursing units will reinforce
the visitation information at the time of admission. Caregivers are also
responsible for assuring that a restful environment is maintained for
all patients.
- If a patient chooses to limit visitors, a sign designating such will be
put on their door directing visitors to check at the nurse’s station
regarding visitation.
- Visitors shall abide by GRMC policies regarding its tobacco-free campus
and shall not smoke or use tobacco on GRMC premises.
- Visitors shall abide by GRMC policies regarding no weapons or firearms
on campus. All weapons should be left at home or inside the visitor's
locked vehicle.
- Visitors who are disruptive to patient care, abusive to patients, other
visitors, GRMC caregivers, and providers, or who are observed violating
hospital policies as set out in this policy will be asked to leave the
premises. Visitors who are observed violating the law will be reported
to local law enforcement and will be asked to leave the premises.
- Visitors spending the night with patients
- One visitor may spend the night with the patient and must be able to care
for themselves. No one under the age 16 will be able to spend the night.
Emergency Room:
- Visitors may be limited to the primary waiting area except for two (2)
family members/friends determined by the ED staff and the family.
- Visitors may be asked to leave the room while the staff provides care or
if the presence of visitors is disruptive to the delivery of care to the
patient or the safety of the patient.
- Children are generally not allowed in the ED rooms where care is being
delivered.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU):
-
Visitors in this area may be limited to two (2) family members/friends
at a time,
that are over 12 years of age. Exceptions will be made at the discretion of the Supervisor/Director.
The time that a visitor may visit with a patient is based on the condition
of the patient.
- Visitors may be asked to leave the room while the staff provides care or
if the presence of visitors is disruptive to the delivery of care for
the safety of the patient.
- The ICU will be closed to visitation during shift change from 6:45 am to
7:30 am and 6:45 pm to 7:30 pm. If the family wants to visit a patient
during shift change, the visit must be planned with the nurse caring for
the patient.
Labor and Delivery:
- Visitors will be allowed in the Labor/Delivery rooms. At the time of admission,
the staff will discuss with the patient their desire for visitors during
her labor and delivery. The wishes of the patient will be adhered to according
to GRMC's general policy of visitors not being disruptive to the delivery
of care or the safety of the patient.
- Visitors that have cleared the screening will be provided a wristband with
the date and room number that must be worn during the entire visit.
Cancer Center:
- All visitors will check in at the front desk when wishing to visit a patient
that is in the treatment suite or in one of the extended care rooms.
- One visitor at a time is allowed for each patient in the treatment suite.
Recliners are for patient use only. Stools are for GRMC caregivers only.
- Visitors may be asked to remain in the waiting room until the patient is
brought back, vital signs are taken, intravenous access is established,
labs are drawn, etc. Visitors may also be asked to leave the patient's
room or GRMC patient care areas during the treatment of the patient.
- No Children under the age of 18 will be allowed into the treatment suite
or extended care rooms except under special circumstances.
- Only two visitors are allowed in the extended care rooms.
Neonate and Pediatric Admissions:
- A parent or guardian may be with their children at any time. Parents or
guardians are encouraged to always remain with their child 13 years and
younger during their stay at GRMC. This information will be obtained at
the time of admission and updated upon the parent or guardian's request.
The information will be recorded in the patient's chart.
- When leaving GRMC premises, parents or guardians are requested to leave
a telephone number where they can be reached and to keep the staff informed
of who will be staying with the patient. Visitors, other than family members,
may visit the child according to the regular GRMC visitation policy unless
deemed inappropriate by the parent or guardian.
Nursery:
- The mother, father, guardian, or significant other of the mother must wear
the identification bands always provided at the time of delivery during
the stay of the newborn at GRMC. In the event of a neonate returning to
the Level 2 Nursery from an outside facility, the mother, father, guardian,
or significant other of the mother must wear the identification bands
for the duration of the neonate's admission.
- For after-hours visitation, the mother, father, guardian, or significant
other of the mother or designee must follow GRMC’s Patient Visitation Policy.
Sleep Study Laboratory:
- A parent or guardian must accompany patients in the Sleep Study Lab under
the age of 18 during the procedure.
- After hours, 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., the parent or guardian must check
in through admissions to obtain a visitor pass.
Surgical Services:
- One family member over the age of 18 years old may accompany the patient
to the pre-operative area and may return to the recovery area when requested
by the recovery staff.
Family/Visitor Support:
- The designated charge nurse on the unit or house supervisor has the discretion
to provide one guest tray per day for a parent or other person identified
as a primary caregiver and to request courtesy carts for the visitors
who are present for end-of-life care. (GRMC does not have free long-distance
telephone service available to patients).
- In order to comply with HIPAA restrictions relating to the disclosure of
a patient's protected health information (PHI), the following procedure
will be followed: Upon admission to GRMC, a designated individual will
be determined by the nurse caring for the patient, and the patient or,
if a patient is unable to consent, the patient's guardian or surrogate
decision-maker. The designated individual will be the primary point of
contact for the GRMC caregivers and providers. A CODEWORD will be determined
and provided to a maximum of three family members or friends. The designated
person, CODEWORD, names of individuals with the CODEWORD, and contact
numbers will all be documented in the patient's chart. Family and
friends calling the hospital for updates on the patient's condition
will be asked to provide the appropriate CODEWORD before receiving patient
information.
- GRMC provides social service and discharge services to patients. GRMC will
provide additional social service and discharge services to patients and
others who are assisting the patient with discharge needs.
- Visitors may bring specific items of comfort to the hospital for the patient
such as pillows and pictures. Visitors will be advised to notify the nurse
caring for the patient about the added items as well as any items taken
home. The nurse caring for the patient will log these personal items in
the patient's personal item list. Items of sentimental value that
might be lost are discouraged. GRMC will not be responsible for the loss
or damage to any visitor or patient personal item.
- If Visitors bring in any food or drink items to the patient care areas
for patient consumption, such items must be reported and given prior approval
by the patient's caregivers and providers so that such items do not
delay care or interfere with the current established plan of care for
the patient.
Parking
Visitor and outpatient parking is available directly in front of the Visitor's
Entrance, the Surgical Center, and Cancer Center.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted at GRMC. We are a Tobacco Free campus.
WiFi available for GRMC Patients and Visitors
Gila Regional Medical Center offers free high-speed wireless Internet access
as a courtesy for our patients and our visitors. You will need today's
username and password posted on the WiFi signs in the GRMC waiting areas.
Three steps to how to get online:
1. Configure your wireless network card:
- Disable data encryption (WEP).
- "Obtain an IP address automatically."
- "Obtain DNS Server address automatically."
2. Depending on the wireless card or settings, select or enter the SSID
or network name of grmcguest (lowercase).
3. Launch your web browser. Review the Terms and Conditions. Access is
provided once you indicate agreement by entering today's username
and password (see the sign in waiting areas).
Please note: Access to our wireless system is not guaranteed. Users are
responsible for knowing how to configure their own computers and equipment.
As with all wireless communications, you may encounter areas where a signal
is not available.