Patients & Visitors

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Visiting Hours

Visitors can be good medicine for patients. A patient's care team member (visitor) can be a spouse, domestic partner, family member or friend; and we value them for the emotional support they can provide the patient.

However, patient care is the primary concern at Merit Health Natchez. Visiting hours are open from Monday – Sunday, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. for patients on the medical surgical floor, intensive care unit and stepdown unit. We ask that visitors be limited to two at a time. We also ask that children under age 12 do not visit in the ICU and stepdown units.

These hours differ on the inpatient rehab and postpartum units:

Inpatient rehab unit: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Labor and Delivery:

• Visitors allowed at any time
• Limited to two at a time
• No children allowed

Postpartum (Third Floor):

• Visitation hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Patients may have one overnight visitor stay with them
• No visitors under the age of 16, unless they are siblings of a newborn

Please understand the following reasons when regular visitation may not be available:

• The patient does not consent for visitors
• The individual's presence infringes on the privacy, rights, safety or therapeutic treatment of the patient
• The patient's health status may require nurses to limit visitors
• Adherence to infection control guidelines

In addition:

• Visitors who may be noisy or conduct themselves in a disorderly manner will be asked to leave.
• Inpatients may have one adult visitor stay with them at night.
• Pediatric inpatients must have one guardian stay with them at all times, including overnight.
• Exceptions not listed or covered above will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

It is the collective responsibility of all staff at Merit Health Natchez to help visitors adhere to visitation guidelines.

For the safety of all patients, staff and visitors, the following are prohibited while on Merit Health Natchez campus:

• Smoking, to include any type of e-cig or vaping device
• Alcohol
• Unauthorized drugs or illegal substances.

Also to help promote a safe environment for the hospital and surrounding community, Merit Health Natchez staff, patients and care team members are encouraged to:

• Follow applicable infection prevention and control practices in accordance with MSDH and CDC guidelines, and facility expectations.
• Refrain from visiting the facility when experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, until symptoms have resolved.
• Practice frequent hand washing/sanitation to protect others from the spread of germs and viruses.

Cafeteria

Merit Health Natchez has a wonderful cafeteria that is open to the patients, staff and visitors Monday – Friday at the following times:

Breakfast: 7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Vending machines are located in the emergency department and on the first floor of the hospital next to the cafeteria.

Chaplains

The hospital is blessed to have ministers from the local community and members of the Ministerial Alliance volunteer as chaplains for Merit Health Natchez. If a patient requests a visit by a chaplain, the nursing supervisor can arrange for this visit.

Chapel

The chapel is located on the second floor at the very back of the ICU waiting area. Visitors of all faiths are welcome to visit the chapel for worship, prayer and meditation.