Visitors

Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, visitors must wear a hospital-approved mask properly over their nose and mouth at all times while at any Houston Healthcare facility. Non-charcoal filtered vented masks are prohibited. Any patient, visitor, or employee who arrives without an approved mask will be provided a surgical mask to replace or cover over any mask that does not meet the appropriate guidelines.

Houston Medical Center and Perry Hospital facilities may be accessed through the main lobby and/or Emergency Departments. Visitors with a cough, fever, shortness of breath, or other flu-like symptoms will not be allowed entry. Greeters at public entrances will continue to ask basic screening questions and temperature monitoring, guiding those seeking treatment to the appropriate location while assisting essential visitors as needed. Patients who require help with mobility will be assisted by a staff member. Patients who require help with communication will be provided Stratus video translation services.

Houston Healthcare Visitation Guidelines

How Is CDC Measuring COVID Community Levels?

Plan Ahead for a Good Visit

Houston Healthcare recognizes how social interaction can be helpful to the patient’s healing process, and spending time with loved ones during a hospital stay benefits both patients and visitors alike. The following guidelines will help make your visit a pleasant experience for everyone:

• Call ahead to make sure your loved one is feeling well enough for company. Ask when they would like you to visit and for how long.
• Ask your loved one whether bringing along infants or small children if desirable.
• Be sure to follow the hospital’s scheduled visiting hours.
• If you smoke, please remember that all Houston Healthcare facilities and campuses are tobacco-free and that tobacco use any of any kind is not permitted.
• Respect your loved one’s privacy by knocking and waiting for permission before entering the room.
• Be mindful of other patients and be careful not to disturb them with excessive noise or other activities.
• Limit the number of visitors in your party to no more than two at a time.
• Before bringing a gift of food or flowers, be sure to ask about the patient’s dietary restrictions, allergies, personal likes and dislikes, and hospital rules.
• To avoid spreading infection to patients, visit only if you are well.
• Honor any “no visitors” signs or other instructions that may be posted in the hospital.
• Allow the patient to make comfort-related choices, such as visit length and frequency, whether lights are on or off, and when to watch television.
• Be considerate and respectful of the patient’s privacy—step out of the room if a procedure or consultation needs to be performed while you are present.
• If the patient has requested that their health information should not be shared with family and/or friends, please respect that choice.
• Avoid the temptation to offer advice. It’s helpful to ask questions and even more important to simply listen to the patient’s fears, concerns, and thoughts.
• Rest is an important part of recovery. Keep your visit brief (15 minutes or shorter) unless your loved one asks you to stay longer.

Chapel & Quiet Rooms

At Houston Healthcare, we provide quiet areas for private meditation when needed by family, visitors, and staff.

At Houston Medical Center, our chapel is located on the 1st floor of the Main Tower past the first set of elevators.

Contacting Patient Rooms

To dial a patient’s room at Houston Medical Center, please dial (478) 975-6999 and enter the 3 or 4-digit room number when prompted.

To dial a patient’s room at Perry Hospital, dial 218 plus the room number (1501 through 1535).

Visiting Hours

Some patient areas may have restrictions or limitations on visitation based on clinically necessary or reasonable circumstances. Please check with the nursing unit to determine any restrictions and limitations.