Please see KHSC's hospital-wide COVID visitor and masking policies which may override what is on this webpage.
See the complete NICU visiting policy
- If you screen positive for COVID, you may not enter the NICU. If you are feeling unwell, have symptoms of an infection, have symptoms of respiratory or flu like symptoms, please do not enter the hospital or the NICU.
- All family and visitors must perform hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub upon entering and leaving the NICU.
- Masking is strongly encouraged in and gowns must be worn if any handling is anticipated and for long visits.
- Two approved caregivers/guardians will be designated to each baby. These caregivers / guardians are welcome 24 hours a day.
- In the case of multiples, the same caregivers/guardians will be applied to each baby in the family unit.
- Only two people may visit a patient’s bedside at a time, and at least one of these two visitors must be a caregiver/guardian of the baby.
- If a patient has screened positive for COVID, our Infection Control team will be involved to determine who can visit.
- Handling of babies by visitors will be at the caregiver/guardian’s discretion after consulting with the care team.
- Visitors under the age of 14 years old are limited to the siblings/household family of the baby.
- During rounds, only caregivers/guardians can be present within the nursery.
- Please limit visits during handover time which occurs twice daily at 0630-0715 and 1830-1915, with no visitors outside of caregiver/guardians at this time.
- Eating shared food items at the bedside is discouraged.
- If an infectious outbreak is declared within the NICU, family/visitor restrictions and/or Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) safety measures may be implemented.
- There may be sudden temporary interruptions to family presence to protect the privacy of other patients or to maintain safety and security.
KHSC believes in family-centered care, meaning we encourage you to fully participate in your baby's care while they are in the hospital. Two designated parents, caregivers or guardians are welcome anytime, including report time which is 6:30 to 7:30 both morning and evening. You may coordinate participation in morning rounds with your infant(s) nurse.
We recognize that your family members and friends provide you with support as well. Visitors are welcome 24 hours a day upon invitation. Only two people may visit a patient’s bedside at a time, and at least one of these two visitors must be a caregiver/guardian of the baby. Visitors under the age of 14 should be limited to siblings or household family of the baby.
Leaving the hospital without your baby is very difficult to do, especially if you live far away. However, since your baby still needs your love and attention, we encourage you to visit as much as possible. Your visits will help you and your baby get to know each other and you will be involved in feeding, bathing and changing your baby as soon as possible.
Family Integrated Care
Family Integrated Care is the philosophy that guides how we provide care for infants in our NICU. Its aim is to partner you with your nurse and the medical team to ensure you feel confident and comfortable caring for your infant.
As a caregiver in the NICU, you are not a visitor. You are your child’s voice and a vital part of your child’s care team. We can provide excellent, state-of-the-art medical and technical care, as well as comfort, warmth and affection for your baby, but your child needs your care too. You provide love and devotion to your child that only a parent can. Only you can sing your favourite songs, do Kangaroo Care, provide breastmilk, breastfeed, bottle feed and cuddle or “hand-hug” with your child in a way that is unique to you. Some children need the NICU in order to survive but all children in the NICU need a parent’s loving touch to thrive.
We encourage you to interact with your child and be involved with your child’s care as much as possible. Our nurses understand the unique medical needs of infants and can teach parents to understand how best to care for their babies. Activities you can do include (but are not limited to) taking temperatures, changing diapers, or feeding through naso-gastric tubes. We encourage your questions and we want you to know our team is here to support you and your family for as long as you are with us.
We hope that by the time your baby is transferred to another hospital, or discharged home, you will feel more secure taking care of and understanding the needs of your baby. Through the Family Integrated Care program you are encouraged to take part in the following:
Morning Medical Rounds
We feel that if you are present and participate in medical rounds, you will have a better understanding of the care that is provided to your baby. These rounds occur every day in the morning.
Parenting Your Baby
With the support provided by your baby’s nurse you will learn to feel more comfortable caring for your baby and holding your baby skin-to-skin as much as possible. The medical team, especially the nurses, will continue to act as coaches to assist you in taking over most the care of your baby as your baby gets better and closer to discharge or transfer to another hospital.
Education Sessions
Please connect with your care team for education session availability. Topics include infection control, infant CPR, medications, developmental care, chronic lung disease, etc.
