Visitor Information for Brooks Memorial Hospital
Brooks Memorial Hospital’s visitation policies are based on consideration for our patients. Though we recognize the important role that love and support from family and friends plays in the healing process, comfort and rest in a peaceful environment is also essential. Therefore, we ask that all visitors be respectful of the needs of all of our patients and adhere to the visitation regulations listed below and remember that visiting hours may be changed at any time as Brooks Memorial Hospital deems necessary for health or safety reasons.
Visiting Hours and Regulations
- General Visiting Hours
1:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Medical/Surgical Floor (3A)
1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Only two persons at the bedside. Children under 14 years of age are asked to remain in the Lobby under adult supervision. Patients may authorize which family members and other adults are given visitation priority consistent with their ability to receive visitors.
Pediatrics Patients
Parents, grandparents and significant others (aunts, uncles, close adult friends) may visit their children 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Brothers and sisters, 5 years and older, are welcome to visit daily between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Parents must be present with visiting siblings at all times. Siblings should be free of cold, infection, or other communicable diseases.
Surgery
Family members may visit a patient having surgery in the rooms before and after surgery. There is a waiting room near the Surgical Suite on the second floor where visitors may wait during surgery. A hospital representative will keep family members informed and the surgeon will be available to confer with them following surgery.
Maternity/Obstetrics
Fathers and birthing coaches are welcome anytime and may spend the night if the patient is in a private room. Other adult visitors are welcome from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM any day at the discretion of the Nursing Staff. Access to the Obstetrics Unit is controlled, and visitors must use the intercom and buzzer located on the wall in the Family Waiting Room just outside of the unit. The Nursing Staff will then unlock the door and allow the visitors in. Siblings accompanied by an adult may visit their new brother or sister from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. They must wear a hospital gown and wash their hands in order to hold the baby (with parental permission and supervision). Siblings should be 2 years or older and be free of cold, infection, or other communicable diseases.
In the event of a maternal or infant emergency, all persons will be asked to leave and wait in the waiting room. The family will be informed of what is happening and be allowed to come back in to the birthing/delivery room as soon as practical.
Coronary Intensive Care Unit (CICU)
Noon to 2:00 PM; 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM; 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Visitors are restricted to the immediate family. Only two persons may visit at a time. Visitors are required to call into CICU on the intercom in the CICU Waiting Room. Only children over 14 years of age can visit a family member in CICU. Exception to the above rules may be made under special circumstances by the nurse in charge.
Clergy
Clergy may visit patients at any hour, provided the patient has not requested otherwise.
Additional Information for Visitors
Eating Arrangements
The Brookside Cafe (hospital cafeteria) is located on the ground floor of the hospital and is open to the public from 6:30 AM until 7 PM.
- Breakfast: 6:30 am - 10 am
- Lunch: 11 am – 1:30 pm
- Dinner: 5 pm - 7 pm
For a nominal cost, visitors can also order Guest Trays from the Patient Room Service Menu, and have their meal delivered to the patient room so that they can eat with the patient.
Vending
A Vending Area located on the hospital’s ground floor is also available and provides visitors with many different food, candy, coffee, and soft drink options as well as access to a microwave oven.
Telephones
To call a patient’s room dial the hospital main number (716-366-1111) and the operator will provide you with the direct dial number and connect you to that room. Once you have the direct dial number you may place your call to that room at any time. Pay phones are located in the alcove off the main lobby next to the elevator.
Chapel
Our prayer room is a quiet place for reflection, prayer, and meditation. It is open 24 hours every day and is located on the first floor in the main lobby just past the reception desk.
Parking
Visitors can park in the main lot in front of the hospital on Central Avenue. Limited parking is also available on the streets surrounding the hospital, and is subject to City of Dunkirk parking regulations and/parking meters.
ATM
An ATM is located on the first floor in the main lobby outside the Chapel.
Guidelines to Minimize Risk of Disease Transmission
- Transmission of infection through direct contact with microorganisms can occur during patient care by visitors or family members. Visitors should be encouraged to wash their hands before and after giving patient care or having contact with a patient.
- Visitors should be warned against handling contaminated patient care equipment.
- Visitors should be discouraged from visiting if exhibiting signs and symptoms of illness (ie. respiratory or gastrointestinal).
- Visitors with communicable diseases will not be allowed to visit and visiting may be limited during times of high levels of community illness.
- Children visiting, as outlined in this policy, should be screened for active or potentially incubating communicable diseases. Staff members should check with parent or adult guardian if child has signs or symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal illness and if child may have been recently exposed to any contagious disease. (eg. Mumps, measles, chicken pox).
- Visitors should be instructed regarding isolation procedures. The following must be worn by visitors when visiting an isolation patient.
Respiratory Isolation = Mask
Strict Isolation = Mask, Gloves, and Gown
Contact = Gloves (if in contact with patient) and Gown
- Visitors Must Wash Their Hands!
- Live plants should not be delivered to patients in intensive care or to patients that are immuno-compromised. Latex balloons are also prohibited throughout this facility.
- Visitors should not leave food that needs to be refrigerated in patient rooms.
- Personal pets are not allowed in the hospital.
