Hospital Policies and Procedures

We understand that information about you, your health and your family is personal and sensitive in nature. Children's Hospital Colorado is committed to protecting the privacy of this information, as well as protecting the rights of our patients and their families. Below, we've outlined the hospital policies and procedures all Children's Colorado locations follow to help us provide the best care possible.

Visitation procedures

Here, we understand parents, legal guardians and a patient's spouse play a vital role in the medical care process. That's why we welcome their visits. For all other guests, our visitation procedures include some limitations to prevent the spread of infection and allow adequate time for patients to heal.

Visitors to any inpatient area, emergency or urgent care center, and all outpatient clinics, including parents, legal guardians and a patient's spouse, will need to provide identification at the appropriate check-in desk. Our team members will issue a visitor's badge (for inpatient and emergency areas only) and provide navigation information.

There are lots of fun things for kids to see and do at each of our locations. They are magical places. But for safety reasons, children shouldn't be left unattended in public areas.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) visitation update

In order to keep you and your family safe, and to reduce the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state of Colorado, we've temporarily introduced new visitation restrictions. Please note that this process is fluid and being evaluated daily. We appreciate your help and understanding in keeping your child and other children protected.

Masks required for patients and visitors at all Children’s Colorado locations

Effective April 28, visitors must wear a face covering at all of our locations. We encourage you to bring a face covering from home. We have a limited supply of homemade face coverings for visitors who do not have one.

You'll also see our doctors and nurses wearing different types of masks and protection equipment. For example, some of the masks fit over the head and almost look like an astronaut helmet. This important protective equipment helps keep everyone in our hospital safe.

See our coronavirus resources for families and read how we're keeping you safe.

Inpatient hospital visits

Below are visitor procedures for inpatient areas at our locations on Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, North Campus in Broomfield, South Campus in Highlands Ranch, Parker Adventist Hospital and our hospital in Colorado Springs:

• Each patient/family can identify a total of 2 individuals who can visit the patient. The 2 individuals must be the patient’s parents, legal guardians and/or partner/spouse.

What if a parent, guardian or partner/spouse test positive for the coronavirus?

We understand that being diagnosed with COVID-19 is stressful. You may be feeling anxiety about your own health, as well as concerns about how you can stay connected with your child while they are hospitalized. Our goal is to get you back to your child’s bedside as soon as it is safe for you and your child. Once your symptoms are gone, you may visit your child.

Here are the returning visitor criteria for you to come back:

• It has been at least 10 days after symptoms started, and you have not had a fever for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen)
• Your other symptoms are getting better

Emergency department visits

• We ask that parents try not to bring other family members. Limiting visitors is an important way we can limit the spread of illness and keep everyone safe.
• Only 2 approved visitors will be allowed to accompany the patient.

Outpatient and clinic visits

Below are visitor procedures for our Outpatient Pavilion on Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Child Health Pavilion in Aurora, regional clinics, therapy areas, surgery centers and radiology:

• A maximum of 2 primary caregivers can accompany a patient who has an appointment at any of our clinics. Everyone else, including siblings of any age, may not visit.

Exceptions for all visits

• Babies who are breastfeeding are an exception.
• Patients with disabilities (which is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment) who require help with the provision of medical or behavioral health care, activities of daily living, speaking for the patient or keeping the patient safe, may have a designated assistance person.

Please speak with a charge nurse or manager if requesting an exception to address a special situation.

Sending love when you can't visit

If you're unable to visit, here are other ways to show love and concern for a kiddo in our hospitals:

• Call your loved one using the hospital main line: 720-777-1234.
• Use one of our free iPads to keep in touch using Skype, Facetime or Google Duo.
• Send a free cheer card to the patient's room (available on the Anschutz Medical Campus only).
• Send an email or greeting card.
• Send balloons (mylar only) or other gifts from our gift shops.

See a list of all of our locations.

Patient visitor reminders

• Our team members will screen all visitors for illness at our entrances. We will take your temperature when you enter our buildings.
• Please do not visit if you have a fever (>38.0 C or 100.40 F), cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, or a loss of sense of smell/taste.
• Please tell our team members if you or anyone with you has been in close contact with a person who is confirmed or suspected of having COVID19 in the last 14 days.
• We will check each patient’s visitor list and provide an ID sticker. In some locations, you will be screened a second time and receive your ID sticker at the inpatient units. At other locations, you may receive your ID sticker at the entrance. Please make sure you and your visitors are carrying your personal IDs when visiting our campus.
• The information desk staff are here to help guide you to where you need to go.
• Do not leave children alone in public areas of the hospital.

HIPAA and protecting patient privacy

Each time you or your family visit Children's Colorado, we create a record of the care and services you receive. We need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements.

Children's Colorado is committed to ensuring that your medical information is private and secure. We protect medical information as required by state laws and the federal rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Notice of privacy practices

Children's Colorado Notice of Privacy Practices applies to all of the records of your care generated by any of Children's Colorado's facilities. This notice, which also applies to University of Colorado School of Medicine physicians, provides information about the ways we may use and share your health information. We also describe your rights and certain obligations we have regarding the use and sharing of health information.