Visiting Information and Guidelines

At Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, we know that family and friends are an important part of each patient’s healing experience. As part of our commitment to family-centered care, we welcome visitors and encourage families to spend as much time together as possible in our hospital.

In general, visiting hours for the hospital are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and quiet hours are from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. Guidelines for visitors and visiting hours may vary by unit or based on a patient’s medical needs and isolation protocols.

Parking

Visit Finding Your Way for information about parking and fees for visitors.

Checking in

Safety and the well-being of our patients is our top priority. Hospital visitors must check in before entering the hospital to receive an identification badge. It is part of our commitment to ensuring a safe environment at both the Main and West buildings of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.

Health, safety, and hand hygiene

To maintain the healthiest environment possible and to avoid infection of patients, visitors are screened for contagious diseases. Please do not bring children to visit if they display signs of contagious diseases or have been recently exposed to measles or chickenpox.

If you notice anything unusual in or around the hospital, such as missing items, unbadged personnel, or suspicious persons or items, you should report your concerns to the Security Department by contacting (650) 723-7222.

The best way to prevent infection is to wash your hands often and well. All of us carry germs. To prevent these germs from harming you or your child, wash your hands with soap and use the alcohol hand sanitizer. Always clean your hands upon entering and before leaving your hospital room; before or after eating or feeding your child; after using the bathroom or changing a diaper; and after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.

Labor and delivery

Expectant women delivering their babies in the Johnson Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Services may have up to two visitors in their labor and delivery room at any time. Visitors must be 12 years or older, and children must be with a supervising adult visitor. Visitors may swap out to have two people total at the beside.

Maternity

New mothers may enjoy having family and friends visit them in the Maternity Unit from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors ages 12 years and older are permitted. If the visitor is under the age of 12, they must be a patient’s sibling.  

Number of visitors by unit

The following is a list of units, along with the number of visitors allowed at one time during general visiting hours. Visitors not in the room can wait in lounges and waiting areas, not in the corridors. Guidelines for visitors and visiting hours may vary, depending on a patient’s health, and are at the discretion of clinical staff. Please note, age restrictions do not apply to breastfeeding children.

General Care Floors Pediatric Care Unit PCU200, PCU300, PCU360, PCU380, PCU400, PCU500/520, PICU, CVICU—No age restrictions.

NICU/IICN/PSCN—Two healthy people (max). Visitors under the age of 12 must be a sibling of the patient.

PACU/Same-day surgery—Two parents or adult designees in Pre-Op and PACU.

Stem cell transplant—Two people at bedside; children under the age of 12 are not permitted.

OB Clinics within the hospital—Two people; children under the age of 12 are not permitted. Newborns don’t count toward the two-person total.

OB Clinic at 770 Welch Road, and Fertility and Reproductive Health at 1195 W. Fremont Ave.—One person; children under the age of 12 are not permitted.

Overnight stay

In the Maternity Unit, one adult primary support person may stay overnight if the patient is in a private room.

In the Pediatric General Care Units, two parents or legal guardians may stay in the room at the discretion of the nurse if the patient is in a private room. Otherwise, when possible, bedside sleeping facilities are provided for one parent or adult designee.

For parents who can’t sleep at the patient’s bedside, a social worker can assist with coordinating alternative sleeping arrangements. Parents who are assigned to sleep in a parent lounge should vacate with their belongings by 8 a.m. each morning.

Fire codes prohibit sleeping in alcoves, corridors, or open public areas.