Visiting a patient

Visiting hours

Family and friends play an important role in a patient’s healing process. That’s why we now have flexible visiting hours. You’re welcome to visit any time, whenever your loved one  feels ready to see you.

Visiting guidelines

While visitors are welcome any time, there are a few guidelines we’ll need you to follow to ensure your safety and the safety and well-being of our patients:

• Patients should have no more than two visitors at a time.
• Children under 14 must be under constant and direct adult  supervision (from someone other than the patient) at all times.
• Visiting may be restricted to protect the privacy and rights of other patients.
• Your visit may be interrupted to provide patient care.

Whenever possible, enter through the Kidd-Davies (main) lobby off Stuart Street, or the tunnel link from the underground parking lot. We typically don’t provide visitor access through the Emergency Department.

• If you’re visiting between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., stop by the security kiosk in the main lobby and pick up a temporary ID.
• If you feel unwell, have an infection or flu-like or respiratory symptoms or any sort of communicable disease, don’t visit until you’re well again.

We’re prepared to make special exceptions to our visitor policy, but only at the request of the patient and in consultation with the care team.

Accommodations

Visiting from out of town and need a place to stay? We have limited-time accommodations available for families of critically ill patients available in our Family Service Area. Because we make these rooms available in emergency situations,  we can’t offer pre-booking services. Your nurse will give you more information.

If you’re looking for accommodations close to the hospital, rooms and suites in a variety of price ranges are available throughout the Kingston area.  Click here for a list of accommodation options. Several facilities have a special rate available for families of KGH patients. Note that KGH neither endorses nor guarantees the quality of the services or accommodations provided by these facilities. Prices listed are accurate at the time of publishing, and are subject to change at the provider’s discretion. Be sure to confirm your rate when you book your room.

Allergies

Scents and flowers

Scented products are not allowed in the hospital. Because some patients, volunteers and staff members have serious scent sensitivities and allergies, we no longer allow scented products into the hospital. Don’t use perfumes, colognes or scented personal care products such as deodorants, aftershave lotions, hair products, body powders and lotions when you visit the hospital.

Heavily-scented flowers are also offensive to people with scent sensitivities. As an act of consideration, do not bring scented flowers into the hospital. These include: freesia, lilacs, lavenders, lilies (including day, tiger, Easter, lily of the valley and stargazer), hyacinth and peonies.

We encourage you to bring unscented floral products. You’ll find several at our Auxiliary Gift Shop.

Latex

Again, out of consideration for people with allergies and sensitivities, we ask that you refrain from bringing latex products – including balloons – into the hospital. Balloons made from non-latex materials are welcome.

Cell phones

You may use your cell phones in any of our non-patient areas, including lobbies, eateries and  offices. You can also use your cell phones in patient-care waiting areas where a sign indicates that it’s permitted. When using your cell phone, be considerate of other patients and their families.

Because cell phones sometimes interfere with patient care equipment and the communication efforts of care team members, we can’t permit cell phone use in patient care areas. (You may notice members of your care team using portable phones within these areas. These aren’t cell phones. They’re connected to an internal network and don’t interfere with patient-care equipment.)

Pay phones

Public telephones are available on every patient floor, as well as near the Auxiliary Cafe in the main lobby. We also have phones in the Emergency Department and in some of the public corridors throughout the hospital.

Wi-fi

Internet access is available in public areas of the hospital through a secure wireless network. While we don’t provide computers to patients or visitors, you’re welcome to connect your own computer or smart phone to our network. Based on how much you use the system, you may need to buy tokens or open an account for access to the system. Just follow the posted directions when you begin your connection. If you need help accessing the public internet site, call the DataValet Help Desk at 1-800-642-3958.

ATMs

There are two cash machines at KGH. One is located behind the Information Desk near Admitting in the Kidd-Davies lobby. The other is outside of the Auxiliary Tuck Shop on Connell 1. All transactions cost $1.50, a portion of which supports the KGH Foundation, which helps pay for hospital equipment, programs, research and staff education.

Cafeterias

Whether you need a quick bite or a full meal, we have several in-hospital dining options.

Auxiliary Cafe

Drop by the cafe for ready-made and made-to-order sandwiches, soups, daily specials and snacks.

Location: Kidd-Davies (main) lobby
Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays
           9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekends

The Atrium

The KGH cafeteria serves up a full menu of hot and cold meals and snacks, with several daily specials.

Location:  Beneath the Kidd-Davies lobby, Kidd 0
Open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays
           8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends

KGH Satellite Cafe

If you’re visiting someone in the Cancer Centre, you don’t have to leave the building for hot and cold drinks, soups, sandwiches and baked goods.

Location: Cancer Centre, Burr 0
Open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays

Auxiliary Gift Shop

Staffed by our Auxiliary volunteers, our gift shop carries a range of gifts, including baby wear, quilts, gifts and toys and teddy bears, greeting cards, gift bags, costume jewellery, flowers and magazines. Call KGH extension 4237 between 9 a.m. and noon. Your order will be ready within 24 hours.

Location: Kidd-Davies lobby
Open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays
           noon to 4:30 p.m., weekends

Information desk

Need help making your way through the hospital? Our Information Desk is open around the clock and staffed by trained volunteers or security officers.

Location:  Kidd-Davies (main) lobby
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed on hospital property. We require all visitors who smoke to do so outside the sidewalks that border the main KGH property (Stuart, George, King streets and Lower University Avenue). We ask that you dispose of your cigarette butts safely and in labelled disposal containers to help keep our hospital grounds neat and tidy.