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Policies and Procedures
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Hospital Visitor Guidelines
Our hospital visitor guidelines are designed with your health and safety in mind. We recognize the important role visitors play in helping you through your healthcare experience. Your visitors are your choice. You have the right to select the visitors you wish to support and spend time with you. They may include family, friends, a spouse, a domestic partner and others.
Our guidelines may vary based on a patient's condition and need for rest. They may also differ depending on which health system location you visit and the setting in which the patient receives care. If you have questions, your loved one's care team can provide you with specific information.
Guidelines for visiting the health system
Family and friends are important to a patient's recovery. Below you'll find our current visitor policy. For additional updates related to COVID-19, see our health and safety protocols.
- Masks are recommended for all visitors. In some areas, masks are required.
- Guidelines for visitors may vary based on care area or the patient’s condition and need for rest. Ask your loved one's care team if you have questions.
- To protect our patients and staff, we ask that visitors who are ill not come to the hospital.
- Doors at Bell Hospital Tower and Cambridge Tower A are locked each evening at 8 p.m. At that time, we ask visitors to leave so patients can rest. After 8 p.m., visitors may enter Bell Hospital Tower through the security entrance, located at the first door north of the main entrance. You can walk through the hospital to reach Cambridge Tower A.
- Our nursing shift change is 7-7:30 a.m. and 7-7:30 p.m. We ask that family and friends not call for routine patient updates during this time so our nurses can focus on safety and continuity of care. We recognize your need for information and will gladly provide updates at other times.
- For the safety and comfort of our patients, staff and guests, we enforce a zero tolerance policy for violence. Any violent or aggressive behavior may result in prosecution. We appreciate your support and cooperation in helping us create a safe, healing environment.
If your healthcare needs will be met at one of the following locations, you will need to follow the individual facility’s most current policies. Reference your appointment reminders or check the facility’s policies online:
Visitor policies by care setting
Our visitor policies vary by care setting, based on differences such as the complexity of care that patients require and space available for guests. Important highlights include:
Important phone numbers
Admissions: 913-588-5807
Emergency department: 913-588-6500
Hospital operator: 913-588-5000
Patient financial services: 913-588-5820
Patient information: 913-588-5800
Patient relations: 913-588-1290
Poison Control: 800-222-1222
Security: 913-588-5030
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Tobacco use on campus
State law prohibits smoking in any of our facilities, and tobacco use of any kind is not permitted inside our buildings, parking garages or on sidewalks surrounding our facilities. On our Kansas City campus, the only place tobacco use is allowed is behind the P3 parking garage. The area is marked with signs.
For questions about our hospital visitor guidelines, call 913-588-5000.