Visitor Policy

Please note that due to COVID-19, some portions of this policy may change. Also, Starr Regional Health & Rehabilitation (SRHR) and Starr Regional’s Senior Care program continue to have separate visitation policies in place to protect the vulnerable populations they serve. To learn more about SRHR’s updated policy, visit the Starr Regional Health & Rehabilitation page. For more information about Starr Regional’s Senior Care program and its policies, please call 423-263-3600.

Starr Regional Medical Center will provide patients with the opportunity to have visitors in a safe, therapeutic, and appropriate manner. The hospital allows for the presence of a support individual of the patient’s choice, unless the individual’s presence infringes on other’s rights, safety, or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated.

General Visiting Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Family and nursing staff must reach mutual understanding about the length and times of visitation and who may visit. The number of visitors may be restricted, depending on the current patient care environment. The patient’s rights and wishes are the determining factors of visitation. Children under the age of twelve should refrain from visiting due to infection control issues.

ICU Visiting Hours:
10:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Two immediate family members or significant others may visit for thirty minutes at this time. The ICU charge nurse may allow for emergency visits or planned visits outside these times if the patient’s condition warrants. Pastoral visits are allowed pursuant to Starr Regional Medical Center policy.
Visiting Guidelines:
1. Children under 12 years of age are discouraged from visiting patients.
2. Only two visitors are allowed per patient at a time.
3. Additional restrictions may be implemented at the patient’s request or as the patient’s condition warrants.
4. The patient’s pastor may visit at any time at the patient’s request.
5. All visitors will be asked to leave the patient area after 9:00 p.m, unless approved for after-hours visitation.
6. The charge nurse or security will handle any problems with family, visitors, or other individuals.
Postpartum/Sibling Visitation (Athens Campus)
1. Visiting hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Special arrangements will be made for deliveries after these hours.
2. All siblings under 12 years of age should be accompanied by an adult and must not infringe on other patients’ rights. Visitors will be asked to leave during examinations or treatments if deemed necessary by the medical staff.
3. Visitors will be asked to leave the patient’s room at any time by the nursing staff if in the best interests of patient care.
4. Siblings may not be left unattended while holding an infant.
5. Caution will be taken to ensure the safety of the infant at all times.
6. Parents will be instructed in the proper hand washing technique for siblings and family members desiring to hold the infant.
7. Siblings will be shown how to safely hold the infant.
8. Staff will observe standard precautions at all times.
9. Parents will be instructed concerning risks of exposing infants to any infectious diseases.
Labor and Delivery Visitation (Athens Campus)
1. At the attending physician’s preference, up to three support persons can be present in the Labor and Delivery Suite.
2. At the attending physician’s preference, siblings of the new baby are allowed to visit during labor. Siblings of the new baby must be afebrile and accompanied by a responsible adult other than the parents.
3. At the physician’s discretion, up to three persons will be allowed to be present during the birth.
4. Staff may ask visitors to leave to protect the privacy of the delivering mother, or if visitation is interfering with required medical care.
5. Family members are asked to remain in the waiting room when requested. Visitors and family members will be asked not to stand in hallways or block Labor/Delivery doors.
Senior Care Unit Visiting Guidelines
1. Visiting hours:
  Monday – Friday: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  Saturday – Sunday: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
2. All visitors are required to sign in on arrival and sign out on departure, and agree to maintain the confidentiality of the names and situations of other patients on the unit.
3. The unit limits the number and types of packages being brought onto the unit in order to maintain the safety of our patients and staff.
4. The number of visitors may be limited at the discretion of staff decisions for safety and effect on the program milieu.
5. No visitor under the age of 16 is allowed on the unit.
6. Visitors who are disruptive may cause the visit to be terminated and the visitor asked to leave.
After Hours Visitation Guidelines
1. The Operator will announce, “Visiting hours are now over. Any visitor not leaving the hospital at this time, please report to the nurses’ station.
2. Charge Nurse / Responsible RN or designee will validate any visitor who plans to remain in the building after hours.
3. Visitor will be given a “Starr Regional Medical Center After Visiting Hours” sticker with room number filled in. Visitor will be instructed to wear sticker in a visible place at all times.
4. Any individual without a sticker after normal visiting hours will be questioned regarding their reason for being in the hospital.
5. Security Officer and Nursing Supervisor will intervene in any situation related to unauthorized after hours visitors.