St. Vincent Children’s Hospital Patients & Guests Visitor Guidelines
St. Vincent Children's - Family sitting together and laughing on a couch

Visitor Guidelines

Important Information for Hospital Visitors

 
Thank you for all that you do to keep our patients and colleagues safe. It is important to note that we have visitor restrictions in place for this very reason. To read the latest visitor restriction guidelines, please click here.

Thank you for your cooperation! 

Visiting a Patient

 

Family and friends are important for your healing process, and visits are encouraged. We ask that visitors respect the patient’s need for care and rest. The length of your visit should be determined by how the patient is feeling. If you have cold, flu symptoms, are not feeling well, or have been recently exposed to a communicable disease, it is better to call the patient than visit. If you feel that it is necessary to visit the patient, please request a mask from the nurse or Patient Registration to wear at all times while you are in the hospital. Pagers are available in some departments for family members who want to leave an area but need to be in contact with colleague.

To enter the hospital after 8 p.m. visitors should use the Emergeny Department Entrance, on the east side of the building on Webster Aveune.

Health care information belongs to the patient and needs to be managed by the patient. Any personal information about a patient's diagnosis and treatment must come from the patient's physician, and that information will only be given to someone other than the patient with proper authorization.

Once you arrive at the hospital, you must follow these guidelines:

  • Wear a facemask that covers the nose and mouth at all times
    • A mask will be provided if needed
    • The mask remains on for duration of your visit, including in the hospital rooms, hallways and elevators
  • Use hand sanitizer to clean your hands
    • Upon entering the hospital (available at screening point)
    • Upon entering a patient room
    • Prior to exiting a patient room (or wash thoroughly with soap and water)
  • Remain in patient room or in space designated by hospital colleague
    • Visitors are not permitted in the cafeteria or in hallways except when en route to a destination
  • Please ask a hospital colleague which restroom to use if one is not available in the patient room
  • Ask the nurse or hospital colleague any questions you may have—we are happy to give you an update you on your loved one

Please follow the following guidelines before you arrive at the hospital:

  • Stay home if you are not feeling well
  • Understand our visitor policy; click here to read the visitor policy
  • Please allow extra time for COVID-19 symptom screening and exposure upon arriving at the hospital
  • Plan to bring food and beverages as needed, or plan to order room service from a patient room

How to Help Siblings Cope 

 

When you have one child in the hospital, his or her siblings are also affected. Here are some ways to help siblings cope with the hospitalization of a sibling:

  • Be honest with your child about why his or her sibling is in the hospital. Use simple, concrete language with them.

  • If their sibling has been diagnosed with an illness or disease, talk to your other children about what that illness or disease is. They may want to know if it’s contagious.

  • Check with staff to see if siblings can visit. We promote family-centered care and know that a big part of healing is having the entire family present.

  • Sometimes, children may feel left out because their parents are at the hospital for long periods of time. Try to set aside special one-on-one time with that child. This may help with the adjustment.

  • If the siblings are not able to visit, try to keep them connected by writing letters, drawing pictures, or using FaceTime or Skype.

  • If your child is able to visit, prepare them for what they will see, including the sights and sounds of the hospital setting. If your child is in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, you will need to prepare that child for a more overwhelming environment. Contact Child Life for more information about preparing siblings for a visit.

Out-of-Town Visitors

 

Accommodations for relatives and visitors from out-of-town are available at nearby motels. The Altrusa Club of Green Bay operates a guest home for patients and family members. Accommodations are based on financial need. To find out if you qualify, please contact a case manager or Spiritual Care at (920) 498-4282.

Upon leaving the hospital, please:

  • Save any phone numbers you might need for getting updates on your loved one
  • Clean your hands before leaving the patient room
  • Be safe!

Visitor Parking

 

Ample parking is available at HSHS St. Vincent Children's Hospital. Please park in the areas marked “Visitor Parking.” For our patients’ comfort and convenience, valet parking is available Monday through Friday at the Emergency Department entrance on Webster Avenue.

Partners in Caring

 

A nurturing environment is important to health and healing. When a loved one is in the hospital, family members and friends can provide important support during the hospital stay and after they return home. We find that when family or friends are active in a patient’s care, recovery is faster and the return home is easier.

HSHS St. Vincent Children's Hospital Partners in Caring Program offers this support. Patients are encouraged to select one individual who will be their Partner in Caring. This person will receive a badge that identifies him/her as a Partner in Caring for the length of the patient’s stay. If you are interested in this program, please ask your child's nurse.

Gift Shop

 

The Gift Shop, located on the first floor next to Café Latte Da'. The shop has gift items, jewelry, magazines, greeting cards, candy, flowers and plants. Stop by to visit the art exhibit of our monthly featured artist!


Hours:

7 a.m. to 3 p.m.,  Monday through Friday

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,  Saturdays, Sundays and most holidays

Flowers, Balloons, & Newspapers

 

Florists deliver flowers directly to the hospital. For infection prevention reasons, flowers and metallic-coated balloons are not allowed in Pediatric Intensive Care Units. The materials in the metallic‑coated balloons can cause static electricity and pose potential risks to the patient.

Chapel

 

The chapel is located near the hospital’s Gift Shop entrance.

Mass times are posted outside of the Chapel. People of all faiths are welcome to our Chapel as a place for prayer and quiet reflection. The chapel is a gift we treasure, and we are pleased to share it with you. It symbolizes our belief that in all things God is present.

Healing Garden

 

A healing garden is located outside near the Emergency Department entrance on Webster Avenue.