Hospital Links

Visiting a Patient

middle age male chaplain with a middle age female patient in a hospital bed

Hospital Visitation for Loved Ones

LeConte Medical Center’s primary concern is for our patients’ welfare and speedy recovery. We ask that guests exercise special courtesy and sensitivity when partaking in hospital visitation. General visiting hours are from 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Some areas, however, have restricted visiting hours for the safety of our patients. Children are allowed to visit patients (unless otherwise posted on a unit). However, for the wellness of our patients, we ask that you notify our nurses regarding children with any signs or symptoms of illness, especially colds, before entering a patient room.

We thank you for your cooperation in observing this schedule and any other visiting restrictions posted in the interest of individual patients. Learn more about Covenant Health’s visitation guidelines here.

Department Specific Hospital Visitation Policy

Intensive Care Unit

Patients in critical care are very ill and have an increased need for rest so they can heal and recuperate. Particular guidelines for visitation are as follows:

  • Only two people may visit a patient at a time. Others are asked to wait in the ICU waiting room. Because our patients are transported through the hallways, we ask family members not to wait or congregate in the hallways.
  • Flowers aren’t allowed in ICU. Please do not order flowers, balloons, etc., for patients in ICU because florists aren’t allowed to deliver to the unit.
  • Patients in ICU wear hospital gowns, so family members are asked to take the patients’ clothing and valuables home.
  • Our shifts change at 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Please remember that the time between 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. are busier times for our staff because they are receiving reports and assessing their patients – this is very important to their care.
  • If you need to speak to the doctor or have any needs or expectations, please inform the nurse taking care of your loved one.
  • Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the patient’s nurse with any problems or concerns you may have.
ICU Visiting Hours

8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.

12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m.

4:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

8:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Dolly Parton Birthing Unit

Visiting hours are from 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Once visiting hours are over, visitors will be asked to leave so that our patients can rest. A patient may have one person stay with them at all times. Visitors are not permitted to wait in the hall of the Birthing unit at any time.

During Labor

Patients in labor may have visitors during regular visiting hours. All visitors, except the patient’s coach, are asked to go to the waiting room when procedures such as exams or epidurals are being performed.

During Delivery

For our patients’ privacy, there is a limit of three visitors present during delivery. Delivery is considered to start at the time of pushing.

Children

Are allowed to visit their mother and their new sibling. However, for the wellness of our mothers and babies, we ask that you notify our nurses regarding children with any signs or symptoms of illness, especially colds.

Sickness

The nurse has the option to not allow children exhibiting signs or symptoms of illness to visit the room with the baby. If you have any visitors who may be sick, please ask a nurse to take the baby to the nursery.

Release of Patient Information

Due to federal regulations and revisions to the Patient Privacy Act, we do not give information about our patients over the phone. If you would like us to provide updates on your condition to your family, you can provide them with your personal P.I.N. code.

Covenant Health