GOVERNMENT DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS HOSPITAL,

TIRUPUR

Document Name Hospital Policy Manual Page Number 1 of 6

Issue Status 01
Title VISITORS POLICY
Revision Status 00
Issue Date 22/09/2017
Document No. GDHQH / TPR / NQAS / HPO / 04
Revision Date -

1 ) Introduction:
1.1. Government District Head Quarters Hospital Tiruppur recognizes and supports patient’s right to visits
from family members, friends and other supportive individuals to enhance their well being, assist in
their healing process and increase the prospects for the patient’s successful return to the community.
1.2. Visiting patients is a positive and effective strategy to help patients and their families to adapt better
with stress and crisis of Intensive Care Units.

2 ) Purpose:
2.1. Establish a harmonious balance between the concerns of patients, visitors and health care providers for
providing restful, non-disruptive nursing care.
2.2. Maximize the benefit of patient visitation whilst ensuring the dignity, privacy and safety of all patients,
staff and visitors at all times.
2.3. Provide all visitors the relevant information regarding their visit and outline their responsibilities in
relation to their own and others health and safety.
2.4. Reduce disease transmission by avoiding crowded situations and by asking sick visitors not to visit.
2.5. Promote family / patient-centered care.
2.6. Establish restricted and appropriate access to hospital.
2.7. Offer guidance for staff in relation to potentially hostile behaviour from visitors.

3 ) Scope and applicability:

3.1. Visitors policy guidelines are intended to provide a safe and therapeutic environment for patients,
visitors and hospital staff.
3.2. Patients, visitors, staff and other supportive individuals.
3.3. Hospital-wide.

4 ) Policy:
4.1. Visitors policy is intended to ensure safety, privacy and dignity of patients, visitors, staff and other
individuals at all times.

Prepared by Dr.V.C.Sivakumar, D.Ortho., NQAP coordinator

Approved by Dr.P.Barathi, M.D. Gen., Resident Medical Officer
Authorized by Dr.G.S.Gomathi, D.G.O., Hospital Superintendent
 GOVERNMENT DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS HOSPITAL,
TIRUPUR

Document Name Hospital Policy Manual Page Number 2 of 6

Issue Status 01
Title VISITORS POLICY
Revision Status 00
Issue Date 22/09/2017
Document No. GDHQH / TPR / NQAS / HPO / 04
Revision Date -

4.2. Policy provides guidelines about visiting hours, visitation practices, responsibility and behaviour of
visitors, visitors restricted access strategy and information about how to make suggestions and
complaints.
4.3. All patients have the right to visitation unless a patient’s treatment team imposes special restrictions
when clinically indicated - to prevent interference with patient treatment or minimize risk to staff,
patients or visitors. Restrictions shall be reviewed periodically to see if they need to be continued.
4.4. Special restrictions do not include visits with patient advocate or legal representatives.
4.5. Infection Control committee and administration shall make amendments to the policy to enhance safety
and minimize risk of transmission of infections to staff, patients and visitors during public health
situations / emergencies / disaster.
4.6. Government District Head Quarters Hospital Tiruppur shall make every effort to accommodate visitors
when clinically appropriate.
4.7. The Policy shall not restrict or limit or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of sex, race,
colour, religion, socio-economic status, national origin or disability.
4.8. Visitation hours shall be displayed in local language at the entrance of the hospital and various facilities.
4.9. Visitors policy and guidelines reflect the recommendations from the Infection Control committee,
Administrative department and Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu.
4.10. Staff shall be trained about the Visitors policy and procedures.

5 ) Responsibilities:
5.1. Doctors
5.2. Nursing Superintendent
5.3. Staff Nurse
5.4. Paramedical and technical staff
5.5. Front office staff
5.6. Security personnel
5.7. All other categories of Hospital staff
5.8. Patients, visitors, staff and other supportive individuals.
6 ) Procedures:

Prepared by Dr.V.C.Sivakumar, D.Ortho., NQAP coordinator

Approved by Dr.P.Barathi, M.D. Gen., Resident Medical Officer
Authorized by Dr.G.S.Gomathi, D.G.O., Hospital Superintendent
 GOVERNMENT DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS HOSPITAL,
TIRUPUR

Document Name Hospital Policy Manual Page Number 3 of 6

Issue Status 01
Title VISITORS POLICY
Revision Status 00
Issue Date 22/09/2017
Document No. GDHQH / TPR / NQAS / HPO / 04
Revision Date -

6.1. Visiting Hours:

Visiting hours are scheduled at times which do not interfere with the patient’s scheduled treatment
programs or meals. Visiting hours and rules are established for the comfort and safety of patients.
06:00 am – 08:00 am
12:00 pm – 02:00 pm
04:00 pm – 06:00 pm

6.2. General visitation practices:

6.2.1. Visitors who are ill (have symptoms such as fever, cold, rashes, earaches, diarrhoea or vomiting) or recent
exposure to infectious diseases should refrain from visiting patients.
6.2.2. Generally children (age 12 and under) are not encouraged in visiting patients due to their relatively low
immunity. However they shall be strictly prohibited from entering into the infectious diseases ward and
intensive care areas of the hospital.
6.2.3. Visitors are restricted to two people ‘at a time’ at the bed side during the hospital visiting hours and the
length of stay should be governed by the needs of the patient.
6.2.4. Ward staff nurses and the doctors concerned shall have the responsibility of informing the patients'
relatives of the measures to be taken and the importance of restriction of visitors at the time of
admission of the patient.
6.2.5. Patient and their support person shall be made aware of any specific circumstances limiting visiting.
6.2.6. Ward staff nurse shall provide health education to the patient and the relatives about hand hygiene,
cough/sneeze etiquette and methods of prevention of spread of infection. Need for isolation and
restriction of visitors should be discussed with them.
6.2.7. Visitors shall wash their hands well with soap and water before visiting the patients and when leaving
the hospital premises.
6.2.8. Visitors shall enquire at the nurses' station for specific instructions to be followed before visiting
patients with infectious diseases. Visitor's footwear, bags etc., shall be left outside the isolation room.
Only articles that can be discarded, disinfected or sterilized should be taken into the room.
6.2.9. Active immunization of attendants and other follow up steps, where applicable must be conducted by
the physician in-charge.

Prepared by Dr.V.C.Sivakumar, D.Ortho., NQAP coordinator

Approved by Dr.P.Barathi, M.D. Gen., Resident Medical Officer
Authorized by Dr.G.S.Gomathi, D.G.O., Hospital Superintendent
 GOVERNMENT DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS HOSPITAL,
TIRUPUR

Document Name Hospital Policy Manual Page Number 4 of 6

Issue Status 01
Title VISITORS POLICY
Revision Status 00
Issue Date 22/09/2017
Document No. GDHQH / TPR / NQAS / HPO / 04
Revision Date -

6.2.10. Attendants and visitors shall perform hand washing after each contact with the patient.
6.2.11. Only one attendant is allowed to stay with patient on 24 hours basis (overnight).
6.2.12. Only female attendants are permitted to stay with female in-patients.
6.2.13. Visitors are not permitted to sit on the patient's bed.
6.2.14. Attendants and visitors shall be refrained from bringing any valuables to the Hospital. Patients,
attendant and visitors are requested to take care of their belongings at all times during the stay in this
hospital. Hospital Management shall not be responsible for any loss of valuable things and belongings.
6.2.15. Visitors are prohibited from taking photography, audio or video recording using any devices (camera,
video-camera, phone-camera, voice recorder) within the hospital premises to respect the privacy of
patients, visitors and staff and confidentiality of patient health information.
6.2.16. Security personnel shall check for contraband or other hazardous items in the belongings / packages
brought by visitors for patients to ensure safety of the patients.
6.2.17. Visitors shall use public rest rooms to ensure cleanliness and for infection control protection.
6.2.18. In special circumstances like, when the patient is dying, restricted numbers of visitors are permitted to
visit the patient.

6.3. Responsibility of visitors:

6.3.1. Honour all visiting policies, guidelines and cooperate with staff directions and requests for providing a
safe and restful healthcare environment.
6.3.2. Behave in a respectful and considerate manner towards all patients, visitors and hospital staff.
6.3.3. Visitors shall not cause damages to hospital property during their visit.
6.3.4. Respect the privacy and confidentiality of the patients in the hospital.
6.3.5. Respect the need for noise control by speaking softly, placing cell phones settings on vibrate and
minimizing the number of visitors.
6.3.6. Follow practices related to use of toilets, hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette and methods of
prevention of spread of infection.
6.3.7. Smoking, consumption of alcohol and street drugs are strictly prohibited.
6.3.8. Visitors are strictly prohibited from carrying flowers, outside food and medications for patients or any
weapons within the hospital premises.

Prepared by Dr.V.C.Sivakumar, D.Ortho., NQAP coordinator

Approved by Dr.P.Barathi, M.D. Gen., Resident Medical Officer
Authorized by Dr.G.S.Gomathi, D.G.O., Hospital Superintendent
 GOVERNMENT DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS HOSPITAL,
TIRUPUR

Document Name Hospital Policy Manual Page Number 5 of 6

Issue Status 01
Title VISITORS POLICY
Revision Status 00
Issue Date 22/09/2017
Document No. GDHQH / TPR / NQAS / HPO / 04
Revision Date -

6.3.9. Visitors shall not give any voluntary payment ‘to tip’ the hospital staff for their services.

6.4. Visitors restricted access strategy:

6.4.1. Visitors shall not be allowed to observe or accompany patients in a restricted areas -surgical or
procedure areas, testing areas and storage areas.
6.4.2. Visitors are prohibited from entering into areas where there are electrical panels, medical gas manifold,
dangerous machines or chemicals, confidential records or sensitive equipment for safety reasons.
6.4.3. Specific circumstances limiting visitation includes:
 Infection control issues.
 Patient is undergoing care interventions.
 Visitors interfering with other patient’s care.
 Visitor who may endanger the health or safety of a patient and / or staff member or significantly
disrupt the operations of the facility as determined by the healthcare team.
 The patient is under police custody.

6.5. Behaviour of visitors:

6.5.1. Any visitor who behaves in a diverse and challenging manner including verbal and physical aggression
towards any staff member or patient will be asked to leave the premises and any actual violence will
result in initiation of legal procedures. Staff members involved must fully document any such incident.
6.5.2. Visitors under the influence of alcohol and unauthorized visitors spotted by security staffs shall be
prohibited from visitation of patients.

6.6. Suggestions & Complaints:

6.6.1. Visitors have the right to provide suggestions and voice a complaint in case of any grievance, abuse,
neglect or assault and seek redressal.
6.6.2. Complaint cum suggestion boxes are provided at various strategic locations which are opened every day
and reviewed by the Resident Medical Officer and Hospital Superintendent.
6.6.3. Visitors can make their suggestions and complaints in the suggestion cum complaint registers available
at following places:

Prepared by Dr.V.C.Sivakumar, D.Ortho., NQAP coordinator

Approved by Dr.P.Barathi, M.D. Gen., Resident Medical Officer
Authorized by Dr.G.S.Gomathi, D.G.O., Hospital Superintendent
 GOVERNMENT DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS HOSPITAL,
TIRUPUR

Document Name Hospital Policy Manual Page Number 6 of 6

Issue Status 01
Title VISITORS POLICY
Revision Status 00
Issue Date 22/09/2017
Document No. GDHQH / TPR / NQAS / HPO / 04
Revision Date -

 Front office / Reception counter in the main IP block

 Hospital Superintendent’s office
 Resident Medical Officer’s office
6.6.4. Visitors who are desirous of sending suggestions, complaints by post may address their suggestions and
complaints to the Office of the Hospital Superintendent, whose address is as follows:
The Hospital Superintendent,
Govt. District Head Quarters Hospital,
Tiruppur.
6.6.5. Visitors can also voice their suggestions and complaints directly in person or over phone to Resident
Medical Officer / Hospital Superintendent and the same shall be documented. Signages for the same
shall be displayed with contact numbers of the Resident Medical Officer / Hospital Superintendent.

Designation Contact number

Hospital Superintendent
Resident Medical Officer 98423 28864
State Grievance Redressal System 104

6.6.6. Resident Medical Officer / Hospital Superintendent of the hospital shall be responsible for redressal of
visitors’ grievances and complaints.

6.7. Annual review and authorization:

6.7.1. The policy shall be reviewed annually and authorized by the Hospital Superintendent.

Prepared by Dr.V.C.Sivakumar, D.Ortho., NQAP coordinator

Approved by Dr.P.Barathi, M.D. Gen., Resident Medical Officer
Authorized by Dr.G.S.Gomathi, D.G.O., Hospital Superintendent