The COVID-19 crisis has us talking a lot here lately about unethical rules that ban parents from the NICU—while extreme, only a small number of hospitals have chosen to respond in this way. NICU families are much more likely to encounter what is called Restricted Visitation—new rules in place to prevent spread of COVID-19 that limit the amount of time Parents can spend with their babies by dictating who, when, how often and for how long Parents are granted access to enter the NICU. In some cases these rules eliminate one parent altogether (usually the non-birthing parent).
What You Should Know
Visitation policies vary by NICU, even in non-pandemic times. Best practice guidelines do exist but every hospital makes their own rules and they do not always set policy based on the best evidence and even then, practice can vary.
Without NICU-specific clinical recommendations or guidance for healthy, asymptomatic parents with regard to parenting in the NICU during a pandemic, hospitals have independently adopted and continue to enforce an arbitrary and nuanced variety of policies as demonstrated by the following sample of responses we received from NICU parents across the country when asked to share what their NICU’s visitation policies look like right now.
One parent at a time, no restrictions on time or number of visits.
One parent per 24 hours.
Only Mothers. Can visit once per 24 hours with a 10 minute break. (Mother must have medical condition or be unable to visit for Father to take their place.)
One parent at a time.
Two-hour visit, once a day. Both parents allowed to visit but not at the same time and they have to switch during the two hours.
One designated parent (Mother or Father), no switching. ONE. Period.
Only allowing one designated parent. Once they are there they can’t leave the hospital so they must have someone bring them whatever they need.
Parents only, we can spend the night.
Parents are allowed in 4-hour shifts. We sign up for time slots (9-1, 2-6, 8-12). We can not be here when the family next to us is here.
Only married parents or those with legal custody of baby are allowed in.
Currently only allowing mom and dad, but not together—one at a time.
We have unlimited access. It was just mom at one point for a little while after someone on the floor tested positive, but they have since let that restriction up.
Two parents unlimited during the day, one parent for overnights.
Two-hour visit, twice a day. One designated parent.
Mom and dad allowed at our hospital, we just have to wear a mask and check temps daily.
One designated parent, has to live in the hospital. Can go to the parking lot to sleep and come back, but cannot meet visitors.
One hour a day for one designated parent. No switching.
Both parents but not at the same time, no spending the night, visitor hours reduced to daytime hours only.
Mothers and fathers, but not at the same time.
One hour a day but more time as baby gets closer to discharge.
As states continue to reopen, communities may experience subsequent waves of infection that could create conditions similar to those that initially compelled hospitals to react with extreme and unethical rule changes. Hospital visitor bans are currently being investigated in several US States. We believe it is the responsibility of every Institution (Hospitals and their NICUs) to do everything in their power to protect the mother/baby dyad, and to make it easier—not harder—for families in crisis.
Parents you have power in the NICU. Look to what is happening outside of your hospital and leverage what you know. Remember that you are a consumer of healthcare services and that you have options. Your family deserves to be cared for by a hospital that can innovate to continue to deliver evidence-based care in a pandemic.
Whether you are a parent with a baby in the NICU right now or you are an expectant parent looking ahead and curious what your hospital’s NICU policies are we have compiled Six Essential Questions To Ask Your Hospital Today to help you get oriented and to begin thinking about what is important to you as a Parent and how your chosen L&D and NICU (or a different one) can best serve your family.