Visitors are welcomed in a mutual concern for the patient. Such concern recognizes that rest and unhindered performance of care and treatment must be given priority over visiting.
IMH personnel shall not restrict, limit or deny visitation privileges based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Family members must check with the nursing staff before visiting a patient room.
The Registered Nurse on the nursing unit is responsible to see that visitors do not compromise patient care or services. When control becomes a problem or in cases of unruly or suspicious
visitors, security will be called.
Between 11pm and 5am visitors may be admitted through the Emergency Department entrance and are asked to sign in and out on a log sheet. Switchboard will contact the receiving unit to announce the visitor. Name tags will be required with the word "Visitor" and the destination recorded. If the person fails to appear on the unit, security will be notified immediately.
Visitors are not allowed to spend the night at the hospital. Exceptions are for pediatric, critically ill and terminally ill (including Hospice) at the discretion of the nursing staff.
On September 8, 2008 Iroquois Memorial Hospital publicly announced that it would become a Tobacco Free organization beginning on November 20, 2008. That particular day coincides with the
Great American Smoke-Out. Tobacco Free includes IMH's main campus and off-site campuses, as well as all buildings, parking lots, grounds and IMH vehicles owned, operated or maintained by
Iroquois Memorial.
Hospital officials stated they realize this may be a difficult change for those employees, physicians, patients and visitors who use tobacco, however, there are compelling reasons for IMH to
take this important step. As the leading healthcare organization in the region, IMH believes it should set a healthy example.
Tobacco has long been known to be a health hazard to users-but evidence has mounted over the years that second hand smoke carries serious risks for non-smokers including lung cancer, lung
disorders and cardiovascular disease. Infants and children growing up in households with cigarette smoke often have chronic bouts with respiratory illnesses requiring frequent doctor visits.
And smokeless tobacco users are at high risk for developing cancer or other serious disorders of the mouth, tongue and throat.
At Iroquois Memorial, not only do we want our employees to be healthier, we want our patients to be more comfortable while they are receiving care. Healthcare workers who smoke and then
return to the bedside smelling like smoke can trigger reactions of nausea or respiratory distress in certain patients. For those individuals trying to quit tobacco, the odor of cigarette
smoke carried in on clothing and hair can set-off cravings resulting in set-backs or even jeopardize efforts to quit.
