For Visitors

Visiting a Patient

Visiting Patients General Visitor Requirements

Visiting Patients

Hospitalized patients may have visitors between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. The number of visitors per patient is not restricted. Visitors must be 12 years of age or older. Intensive care units are limited to ages 16 and older.
Ambulatory Surgery and Ambulatory departments are not restricted.
Overnight visitation is not allowed, except in Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, High Risk, Antepartum, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatrics, where two designated support persons over age 16 are allowed overnight visitation.
Please note: Because of the risk of COVID-19 exposure to visitors, limited visitation is allowed for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. Speak with a member of your loved one’s care team.
The Women's & Children's Building allows supervised children under the age of 16 except in the NICU and Labor & Delivery units. Additional details surrounding Women's & Children's Services can be found here.

General Visitor Requirements

Visitors are no longer screened for COVID-19 symptoms at the entrances. However, visitors with COVID-like symptoms and/or recent exposures should not visit – to protect their loved ones as well as our caregivers.
- Based on American Academy of Pediatrics guidance, an exception is made for obstetrical patients who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines; these mothers should not be excluded from visiting their infant in the NICU if they are asymptomatic.
Visitors who have tested positive for COVID-19 (using any home or laboratory-based test) within the past 10 days should refrain from visiting. Please note that this differs from current CDC guidelines, which allow people to end isolation after five days with masking for another five days. This is to protect our vulnerable patient population, as persons may be contagious beyond five days. Persons with underlying conditions that weaken their immune systems should defer visitation for at least 20 days.
- An exception is made for obstetrical patients who are asymptomatic and are up to date with COVID vaccines; they may visit their infant in NICU after five days.
Visitors are encouraged to perform home COVID-19 antigen tests prior to their visits, particularly if they are visiting highly vulnerable patients such as oncology, transplant, and neonatal ICU patients. Proof of recent negative test or vaccination will not be required to visit.
Visitors are not permitted to bring any type of weapon to ChristianaCare facilities. To help maintain a safe environment for our patients, visitors, and caregivers, we are using weapon detection technology at our hospital main entrances. Anyone entering where weapon detection technology is in use is expected to be screened.
Visitation privileges may be discontinued at any time based on the clinical situation of the patient, visitor noncompliance with recommended procedures, or other factors.
All Visitors should follow masking guidelines, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette precautions while in the facility.
- Masking is strongly encouraged.
- Visitors with respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, etc.) should refrain from visiting if at all possible; if visitation is absolutely necessary, a mask should be worn at all times.
- Masks will be available as needed, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own masks from home. Masks that are provided should be re-used until damaged or soiled, or no longer able to be breathed through. A new mask will be provided on subsequent visitation days.
All visitors should perform hand hygiene frequently with soap/water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer and limit surfaces touched.