Visitor Restrictions Due to Coronavirus and the Flu
For everyone's safety, we are restricting visitation to our facilities due to COVID-19 and flu.
All visitors will need to complete a daily health screening.
We will not allow visitors if they:
- Have signs and symptoms of illness, including: cough, runny nose, sneezing, fever, sore throat
- Have returned from any of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) high-risk countries in the past 14 days
- Have been exposed to COVID-19
- Are under the age of 18, unless they are the primary caregiver for the patient
- Refuse screening
Other visitor restrictions:
- Only two primary caregivers per patient. Only ONE primary caregiver at a time may visit the patient. No other visitors are allowed.
- Try to create distance between others waiting in common areas (two arm’s length away recommended)
- Additional restrictions may apply.
Visitor Identification
Everyone visiting our medical center is required to check in at the Ambassadors' Desk in the entry lobby. The ambassador is there to help direct you and provide any information you may need about the hospital. He or she will issue you a color-coded badge so you can find the appropriate floor/s, and will quickly screen for colds and other contagious illnesses. We have a special sticker for children to wear after screening.
Overnight Visits
Hand Washing
For everyone's health and safety, we require that visitors wash their hands, just as our staff does, before entering a patient's room. There are bathrooms available on every floor to accommodate you.
Contact a Patient by Phone
Your child’s room has a private phone line. To reach a patient, please dial (510) 428-3555 and the child's phone extension, not their room number. If you do not know the patient's phone extension, please dial (510) 428-3000 and ask the Operator to connect you; be sure to tell them the patient's room number.
Using the Phone in the Patient Rooms
- To call outside the hospital, dial “9” and the number you are calling. There is no charge for local phone calls.
- To call outside the local area, use a phone card. These are available in the hospital gift shop.
Cell Phone Usage
If you have a cell phone, please note that in some areas of the hospital they may not be used because their signals may interfere with medical equipment. It’s OK to use cell phones in the Friendly Café on the second floor.
Send an eCard
Our eCard service provides a great way for extended family and friends to stay connected with your child during an extended hospital stay.
Gift Shop
Our staff is happy to help you find a unique gift for that special patient or staff member, with same-day, free delivery to any room in the hospital. Because the Gift Shop is owned and operated by the hospital, all proceeds support Benioff Children's Hospital. The Gift Shop is conveniently located near the first-floor main entrance of the main hospital building.
Phone orders are taken during store hours. Complimentary gift wrapping is available upon request. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 AM - 5:30 PM
Phone: (510) 428-3275
Fax: (510) 597-7133
Preparing Siblings for a Visit
Child Life Specialists are available to help prepare children who are visiting a sick or injured sibling. Please call (510) 428-3520 for more information.
Special Guidelines
If you are visiting a child in the Intensive Care Nursery, Intensive Care Unit, or the Immunocompromised Unit, special visitation guidelines may apply. The guidelines are posted in these areas. We may restrict visitation privileges to ensure the health and safety of patients, staff and visitors.
Cooperation
Please make sure that children are supervised while in the hospital.
Sometimes we may ask all visitors to leave temporarily so we can provide critical care to a very sick child. We appreciate your cooperation.