While visiting a patient in hospital

Visiting a relative, friend, colleague or known to in hospital is seen as a gesture of love, care and affection. In hospital, patients are often visited by their well wishers, who provide them support and pray for their speedy recovery. While this emotional support from well wishers are an important component in recovery of patient, certain care should be taken by visitors, to ensure that they do not cause any harm to patient or themselves.

1. Patient needs rest and that is one of the main reason why he/she is admitted in a hospital. Make sure that your visit should not cause unrest to the patient
2. Every hospital has defined visiting hours. Visit only during these hours, so that other patients do not get disturbed
3. Do not overcrowd near patient. Meet patient in group of two or maximum three at a time.
   
   
4. Do not take natural flowers, specially if the hospital has central air-conditioning. Some patients are allergic to pollen grains in flowers. You can take artificial flowers
5. If you are taking food for the patient, check with the hospital staff about patient's diet limitation. Some hospitals also have policy of not giving outside food to patients.
6. While in hospital do not touch any thing unnecessarily. You may acquire some bacteria from hospital environment and surfaces.
7. Avoid visiting if you are yourself suffering with any communicable disease like cough and cold, conjunctivitis etc.
8. Do not take children (below 12 years) in hospital wards. They are very susceptible to infection. In-case you want a child to visit, ask hospital staff for a mask for the child
9. Keep duration of visit as low as possible. You may yourself be at risk of catching any infection from hospital.
10. Talk in soft voice. Ensure that your communication do not become noise and inconvenience for other patients
11. As far as possible, avoid touch or skin contact with the patient. This is very important to avoid transmission of any infection between you and patient.
12. Wash you hands before and after visiting the patient in hospital
13. If the patient you are visiting is suffering with any communicable disease, ask hospital staff for appropriate safety gears, i.e. masks, caps, gloves etc.
14. If your patient is in ICU, keep your visit very short
15. Comply with rules and regulations of the hospital, as they are made for safety, security and betterment of the patient.

Do express your concern to patient and wish for their good health. All patients need this in their time of suffering.
You should also be aware infections in hospital. Please read the article 'Infections in Hospitals, What every patient should know'.