Patient Visitation Policy
The purpose of this policy is to create a supportive, caring and healthy environment for patients while promoting optimal patient care.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to allow patients to have visitors 24 hours per day without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, culture/cultural values, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.
Adult patients and parents/guardians for patients who are minors have the right to determine who may or may not visit and when such visits may occur.
When necessary to protect the health and safety of patients, visitors, or workforce members, MD Anderson may limit or restrict visits.
Specific units and patient areas within MD Anderson may establish specific visitation policies and hours for their units/areas.
Visitors are welcome
As part of the healing process, we welcome families, caregivers, friends and other visitors. A caregiver or loved one may stay with MD Anderson patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Additional visitors are welcome between 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Your health and well-being comes first. Visits may be limited by the care team for the health and safety of our patients, visitors and employees. Speak with a member of your care team if you have specific visitation needs.
To ensure the safety and comfort of our patients and visitors:
- Visitors should bring and carry a photo ID with them.
- One overnight visitor is allowed in a patient room.
- Overnight stays by visitors are not permitted in the waiting rooms, lobby areas or other public spaces in MD Anderson.
- For safety reasons, visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult (other than the patient) and are not permitted to stay overnight.
Some units, such as Pediatrics, Leukemia and Stem Cell, may have specific visitation policies for the safety of the patients in the area. Ask a member of your care team if you have questions.
Children
Children are welcome to visit patients at MD Anderson as long as they are with an adult. To prevent the spread of infection, the adult with a child under the age of 13 will be asked questions about the child’s health, including:
- Immunization status
- General health
- Current illness
- Recent exposure to contagious diseases
After screening, the child may visit public places and non-restricted areas of the hospital. Children may visit your room if there are no medical concerns.