A view of a waiting room maroon cloth wooden chairs.

Patients & Visitors

Visiting Hours & Policies

We Encourage Supportive Visits from Family & Friends

Visiting hours at El Centro Regional Medical Center vary within different areas of the hospital and are also at the discretion of the medical or nursing staff. To protect the patient from further infection, visitors should be free from infectious disease. Only under extreme circumstances may a child be allowed to enter any clinical areas.

  • ICU -Patients in ICU are at times fragile and require a lot of rest. Only immediate family and clergy are allowed to enter and limited to ten minutes per visit. Any children under the age of 16 are not permitted. All visitors must have no visible signs of contagious or infectious diseases. Visiting Hours: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm.
  • Nursery - Fathers or support persons are welcome to visit all day and are allowed to stay late. Patients under the age of 12 may not be allowed to enter except for siblings of the newborn, who must be accompanied by an adult. For all other visitors, standard visiting hours apply. Visiting Hours: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.
  • Pediatrics - Pediatric patients may have parents present at all times. Parents will be encouraged to be involved with their child’s care.
  • Emergency Room - We request that only one visitor be with a patient at any time. An exception is made for any child when both parents are allowed in the room.
  • Surgery - No visitors are permitted in the Surgical Services Department unless permission has been granted from the OR Director. If permission is obtained, the visitor will abide by the rules and regulations of the surgical services policy.
  • Recovery Area - Visitors are allowed at discretion of the Recovery Room Registered Nurse. Parents of pediatric patients are allowed to stay at the patient’s bedside.
  • Maternal Child - Your children, family and friends may visit during the regular visiting hours. We ask that friends and family with cold/flu symptoms not visit during your hospital stay. All other children under the age of 16 are not allowed in patient rooms. We allow 2 visitors per room. Visiting Hours: 10:00 am – 1.30 pm and 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
  • Mother/Baby Nap Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. We have set aside time for new mothers to rest, eat, and bond with their newborn. This quiet time also gives you the opportunity to learn about infant care and feeding. Visitors are asked to honor this special time for you, your support person and baby.

Age of Visitors

Visiting children under age 16 are not allowed in any patient rooms. Only in extreme circumstances is a child allowed. Minors must always be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for supervising the children at all times. Young children should not be left alone in the hospital lobbies while families are visiting.

Visitor’s Health

Any visitor exposed to or having a communicable disease (tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, impetigo, the flu or a cold) should not visit patients.

Number of Visitors

Since our rooms can quickly become crowded and noisy, no more than two visitors are allowed in your room at one time. We encourage families to discuss scheduling their visits, in order not to overwhelm the patient by visiting all at one time. While support from loved ones is important, we also ask that visitors respect the patient's need for rest during their recovery.

No Smoking

Smoking is strictly prohibited in any hospital building.

Restricted Cell Phone Use

Cellular phones may not be used in patient rooms or procedure areas.

Deliveries of Mail and Flowers

To safeguard patients, certain units such as Intensive Care Units restrict flower deliveries. We encourage you to check in with the nursing staff before sending or bringing flowers.

No Latex Balloons

Latex balloons are not permitted in the hospital. Mylar balloons are appreciated. Please check with the nurse before you plan to deliver anything to reassure there will not be any problems.

Infectious Diseases

For visitors who have been exposed to infectious diseases such as Chicken Pox, Tuberculosis (TB), Mumps or Measles within three weeks of their visit, please speak with the patient’s nurse before visiting.