Care Partner and Visitor Policy
Guidelines for Visiting a Patient
(Effective May 11, 2023) Care partners and visitors are a vital part of a patient’s treatment and care. Please use the links below to learn guidelines for accompanying and visiting patients at Johns Hopkins Medicine, based on care they are receiving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a care partner and a visitor?
A care partner is any adult the patient/parent or legal guardian wishes to have at the patient’s side. The care partner may provide support and/or can be included in the patient’s care decisions, but may not override the legally authorized health care decision-maker (LAHD). Care partners and parents/legal guardians are welcome 24/7. One care partner can stay overnight with the patient (up to two care partners for pediatric patients or patients with a disability).
A visitor is anyone the patient/LAHD or parent/guardian chooses to have visit the patient. An adult patient, or parent/guardian of a pediatric patient, can identify anyone they desire as a visitor. Visitors are welcome during visiting hours, which may vary per entity and location.
Unlike a care partner who may accompany any patient 24/7 regardless of disability if no visiting restrictions are in place (as defined above), a care partner for a disabled patient must be allowed when necessary for the individual’s access to equal care, even when visiting restrictions are in place. This can include patients with disabilities who require care partner assistance in order to process relevant medical information or make healthcare-related decisions, aid comprehension, and/or fully communicate in order to receive equivalent medical treatment. Care partners for people with disabilities can include a family member, personal care assistant, similar disability service provider, or other individual who is knowledgeable about the management or care of the patient with a disability.
What are general guidelines for all visits?
All care partners and visitors are required to check in upon entering a Johns Hopkins facility.
Space constraints may limit the number of care partners and visitors who may be present at one time.
Visitors may be restricted for other reasons, including but not limited to:
- Situations in which visitation could jeopardize the health and well-being of the patient, care partner, visitor or Johns Hopkins Medicine employee(s)
- Minimizing the risk of infection
- Achieving patient goals of care
- By court order, or the patient is in the care and custody of law enforcement
Which JHM member organizations are included in the policy?
The Visitor and Care Partner Visiting Policy addresses visitation in the hospitals, emergency departments and outpatient areas (e.g., ambulatory practice sites, surgery centers, medical practice sites) at the following JHM locations:
- The Johns Hopkins Health System Corporation
- The Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
- Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
- Sibley Memorial Hospital
- Suburban Hospital
- Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
- Johns Hopkins Medicine International
- Johns Hopkins Regional Physicians
- Johns Hopkins Surgery Centers Series
- Johns Hopkins Imaging
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Guidelines to Visit Adult Patients
Before your visit, please review our FAQs for general guidelines for care partners and visitors.
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During Visiting Hours
- Semiprivate room: Up to two care partners or visitors per patient at a time may be at the patient’s side during visiting hours, space permitting.
- Private room: Up to four care partners or visitors per patient at a time may be at the patient’s side during visiting hours, space permitting.
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult other than the patient.
- Additional care partners or visitors may be at the patient’s side under some circumstances (e.g., long-term hospitalization, family meeting, end-of-life visits, patient/family request).
- Some specialty floors/areas, such as Labor & Delivery, may have additional guidelines. Please see unit staff for floor specific policies.
Overnight Stay
- One adult care partner may stay overnight (up to two care partners for patients with a disability).
- Additional care partners may stay overnight under some circumstances. Examples include end-of-life visits and patient/family request.
- Some specialty floors/areas, such as Labor & Delivery, may have additional guidelines. Please see unit staff for floor specific policies.
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- Up to two care partners or visitors per patient at a time may be at the patient’s side during visiting hours, space permitting.
- Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult other than the patient.
- Patients with psychiatric or behavioral complaints may require additional visiting restrictions.
- Additional care partners or visitors may be at the patient’s side under some circumstances (e.g., family meeting, end of life or patient/family request).
Guidelines to Visit Pediatric Patients
Before your visit, please review our FAQs for general guidelines for care partners and visitors.
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During Visiting Hours
- Up to four care partners or visitors (including siblings/minors) per patient at a time may be at the patient’s side, space permitting.
- Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult unless they are the parent of the patient.
- Additional care partners or visitors may be at the bedside under some circumstances (e.g., long-term hospitalization, family meeting, end-of-life visits or patient/family request).
- Some specialty floors/areas, such as Labor & Delivery, may have additional guidelines. Please see unit staff for floor specific policies.
Overnight Stay
- Up to two adult care partners or parents of any age may stay overnight, space permitting.
- Additional care partners may stay overnight under some circumstances. Examples include end-of-life visits, patient/family request.
- Some specialty floors/areas, such as Labor & Delivery, may have additional guidelines. Please see unit staff for floor specific policies.
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- Up to two care partners, or parents of any age, per patient at a time may be at the patient’s side, space permitting.
- Children under 18 must have adult supervision available.
- Patients with psychiatric or behavioral complaints are limited to visiting with care partners (including legal guardians) only.
- Additional care partners or visitors may be at the patient’s side under some circumstances (e.g., family meeting, end of life, patient/family request).
Guidelines for Outpatient Areas and Clinics
Before your visit, please review our FAQs for general guidelines for care partners and visitors.
- Up to two care partners or visitors (including siblings/minors) are welcome to accompany patients to appointments, space permitting.
- Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult at all times.
- Radiology imaging, operating rooms, procedural areas: For safety reasons, care partners or visitors may not be permitted in exam/procedure rooms.