Visitor Information

Masking and Visitor Guidance

Read our updated policy. Before visiting, check with the patient’s nurse about the best time and length for visits.

Surgery Waiting Areas

You'll find waiting areas on most of our patient floors. If your friend or family member is having surgery, you can wait in the surgery waiting area. Our Information Desk staff will keep you informed, and the physician will meet or call you there after surgery.

For patients having open-heart surgery, the Cardiac ICU waiting area is in Room 262C on the second floor of the Center Building (west of the Swedish First Hill main entrance).

For patients having same-day surgery, the waiting area is located in the Same Day Surgery Center in the Professional Building at Swedish Cherry Hill on 16th Avenue and Cherry Street.

Plan Your Visit

If possible, plan your visit with the patient's other family members or friends so that not everyone comes at the same time. Visits may be limited only if the patient needs more rest or as a courtesy to another patient sharing the same room.

Visit in Good Health

If you have an illness that's easily spread to others (such as a cold, cough, flu, chicken pox, measles, mumps) please do not visit patients.

Practice Good Hand Hygiene

To prevent the spread of germs, we ask that all visitors use alcohol gel or wash their hands before visiting patients.

Child Visitors

Children are welcome at Swedish. Please be sure that children you bring with you for a patient visit are always supervised by an adult.

Pet and Service Animal Policy

We know that pets are often precious members of the patient’s family. However, due to general health issues, only licensed service and therapy animals may visit patients.

Smoke-Free Locations

All Swedish locations are smoke-free. This means smoking is not allowed on Swedish property, owned or leased, including parking garages and lots. You may smoke on public sidewalks, but you must be at least 25 feet from any entrances, exits, windows that can open, air-conditioners, vents or other air-intake systems. You can ask the unit or information desk for a map of Swedish property boundaries.

If you go outside to smoke after 9 p.m., only certain doors may be used to re-enter the hospital. You'll also need a visitor’s I.D. badge. Ask the nurse for a badge before leaving the unit or talk to the officer at the security desk in the Emergency Department when you return.

Use of Electronic Equipment

In the hospital, the use of a cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), pager or laptop computer is limited. Hallways and waiting rooms are the best places to use these devices, but you must be at least 10 feet away from any medical equipment.