Visitor Guidelines
Complete visitor guide for Vivekananda Hospital, Begumpet. We welcome family and friends to support patients during their stay - while ensuring patient rest, safety, and recovery remain our priority.
Visiting Hours 8-9 AM & 5-7 PM
Max 2 Visitors
Visitor Card Required
12+ Age for Visitors
NABH Standards
Welcome to Vivekananda Hospital
We encourage family and visitors to support patients during their hospital stay - emotional support from loved ones is an important part of recovery. While the specific guidelines may vary depending on patient condition and ward type, this page outlines the standard visitor protocols at Vivekananda Hospital, Begumpet.
Visitor guidelines exist to balance three important needs - patient rest and recovery, infection control and patient safety, and family connection during stressful health situations. Following these guidelines helps create a healing environment for all patients in the hospital. For any specific questions about visiting a particular patient, please contact the nursing station of the relevant ward or call +91 72079 04418.
Standard Visiting Hours
Visiting hours are designed to allow morning and evening family connection while ensuring patient rest during medical rounds, treatments, and night hours.
Morning Visiting
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Evening Visiting
5:00 - 7:00 PM
ICU, NICU, and Labour Room have separate, more restricted visiting policies described below. One designated family attendant is allowed to stay round-the-clock with patient (subject to room category) - this is in addition to visiting hours.
General Visitor Rules
The following 12 guidelines apply to all visitors at Vivekananda Hospital. These ensure a safe, peaceful, and healing environment for every patient.
1
Visiting Hours Compliance
Strictly observe the designated visiting hours of 8:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM unless additional restrictions or extensions are notified. Visiting outside these hours requires special permission from the treating doctor or nursing supervisor.
2
Visitor Card Mandatory
All visitors must collect a Visitor's Card at the reception or security desk before entering inpatient areas. Carry the card during your visit and produce when requested by hospital staff. Return cards at the security desk on exit.
3
Maximum 2 Visitors at a Time
A maximum of 2 visitors per patient is allowed simultaneously. Multiple family members can rotate during visiting hours respecting this limit. ICU and NICU permit only 1 visitor per session due to clinical requirements.
4
Keep Visits Brief
Do not exceed the specified visiting time. Brief, peaceful visits are most beneficial for patient recovery. Long stays can tire the patient, disturb other patients, and interfere with clinical care. Be considerate of the patient's energy levels.
5
Behaviour in Common Areas
Refrain from sitting on floors, eating in corridors, loud talking, or roaming in clinical areas. Use designated waiting areas for waiting between visits. Maintain decorum in lobbies, lifts, and corridors.
6
No Smoking, Alcohol, or Drugs
Smoking, consumption of alcohol, and use of any illegal drugs are strictly prohibited anywhere on hospital premises. This applies to inpatient areas, waiting rooms, parking areas, and all hospital property.
7
Restricted Zones - No Entry
Visitors are not permitted in functioning areas including reception working zones, nursing stations, doctor consultation rooms, operation theatre corridors, ICU/NICU support corridors, and other unauthorised zones.
8
No Medical Interference
Visitors must NOT administer medications, alter IV drips, adjust medical equipment, change wound dressings, give food/water against medical advice, or alter any medical treatment. Always consult the duty nurse for any care concerns.
9
Outside Food Restriction
Visitors must not bring outside food or beverages without prior permission from the treating nurse or doctor. Hospital provides medically appropriate diet. Outside food may interfere with prescribed diet, medications, or recovery.
10
Children Below 12 Years
It is advised not to bring children below 12 years of age as visitors, except with special permission from the treating doctor. This restriction protects both the child (from hospital infections) and the patient (from disturbances and infection risk).
11
Follow Nursing Staff Instructions
Always follow instructions from nursing staff regarding visitor behaviour, infection control, special precautions, and patient-specific restrictions. Nurses understand the patient's clinical condition and act in the patient's best interest.
12
Mobile Phone & Photography
Switch mobile phones to silent mode in clinical areas. Avoid loud conversations on phone in patient rooms or corridors. Photography and video recording are not permitted in clinical areas, ICU, NICU, or anywhere that compromises other patients' privacy.
Special Area Visitor Policies
Three areas have special visitor protocols beyond standard rules - ICU, NICU, and Labour Room (LDR). These restrictions exist to protect patient safety and clinical care quality.
ICU - Intensive Care Unit
RESTRICTED - 2 SESSIONS DAILY
- Two short visiting sessions daily (15-20 minutes each)
- Only 1 visitor at a time (immediate family)
- No children below 12 years
- Mandatory hand hygiene before entry
- No flowers, food, or external items
- Disposable gowns/masks may be required
- Daily medical updates to designated family member
NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care
PARENTS ONLY - SCHEDULED
- Only parents permitted entry
- Other family by special permission only
- Strict hand hygiene mandatory
- Mother access for breastfeeding
- Sterile gowns may be required
- No flowers, food, or external items
- Schedule visits with NICU nursing team
Labour Room (LDR) & Maternity
FAMILY-FRIENDLY MATERNITY CARE
- One family member with mother during labour
- Subject to clinical situation and obstetric team
- Father/spouse encouraged where possible
- Other visitors after delivery during regular hours
- Newborn visitor restrictions during initial hours
- Combined Labour-Delivery-Recovery suite
- Follow obstetric team instructions
What to Bring & What to Avoid
Thoughtful preparation makes your visit meaningful while avoiding items that could compromise patient care.
Helpful Items to Bring
Photo ID for visitor card, get-well cards, books or magazines for the patient, personal care items the patient requested, mobile phone charger, religious or spiritual items, family photos, eyeglasses or hearing aids if patient forgot.
Items to Avoid
Fresh flowers (infection control), outside food without nurse approval, loud or noise-making toys, strong perfumes, valuable jewellery, large amounts of cash, pets, large gifts, smoking or alcohol-related items.
Infection Control Protocols
Hospital-acquired infections are a serious safety concern. Visitors should follow basic infection control - hand hygiene with soap or alcohol-based sanitiser at entry and exit, and again before approaching the patient. Sanitiser dispensers are available throughout the hospital.
Do NOT visit if you are unwell with fever, cough, cold, sore throat, or any infectious illness. Reschedule your visit when fully recovered. Wear masks during respiratory illness outbreaks or when instructed by nursing staff. For ICU and NICU, follow sterile area protocols including disposable gowns, masks, and shoe covers as instructed.
These simple precautions protect vulnerable patients - especially the elderly, newborns, post-surgical patients, and those with weakened immune systems - from healthcare-associated infections.
Visitor Amenities
Vivekananda Hospital provides amenities to make your visit comfortable. Please use designated areas for waiting and refreshments.
Visitor Waiting Areas
Designated lounges and waiting rooms with seating and clean facilities. Use these for waiting between visits.
Parking Facility
On-premises parking for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Drop-off zone at main entrance.
Public Washrooms
Clean public washrooms available on each floor. Hand washing facilities maintained.
Hospital Cafeteria
Refreshments and meals available. Eat in designated areas only, not in patient rooms or clinical corridors.
Help Desk & Reception
Reception staff at main entrance and floor receptions to guide visitors and answer queries.
Drinking Water
Water dispensers in waiting areas. Clean drinking water freely available throughout hospital.
Important Notice on Hospital Conduct
Vivekananda Hospital staff put their best efforts into the treatment and recovery of every patient. However, sometimes healthcare and medical outcomes can be uncertain depending on many uncontrollable factors including disease severity, patient response to treatment, and individual variability.
Uncontrolled rage, mob violence, destruction of hospital property, verbal or physical abuse of staff, or any unwarranted behaviour causing hindrance to hospital functioning are punishable offences under Indian law and will be reported to police authorities. The Telangana Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions Act 2008 specifically protects healthcare workers and facilities from violence.
If you have concerns about patient care, please raise them through proper channels - contact the duty doctor, nursing supervisor, or hospital grievance officer at +91 72079 04418. We address every concern with seriousness and respect. Filing a grievance never affects future care quality. View our grievance redressal procedure for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the visiting hours at Vivekananda Hospital?
Visiting hours at Vivekananda Hospital are 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM in the morning and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the evening, unless additional restrictions apply. ICU, NICU, and Labour Room have separate, more restricted visiting policies. The visiting hours are designed to balance family connection with patient rest and clinical care needs.
How many visitors are allowed at a time?
A maximum of 2 visitors per patient is allowed at a time during regular visiting hours. ICU and NICU permit only 1 visitor per session due to sterile environment requirements. One designated family attendant is allowed to stay with the patient round-the-clock subject to room category - this is in addition to the 2 visitor limit during visiting hours.
Can children visit patients in the hospital?
It is advised not to bring children below 12 years of age as visitors, except with special permission from the treating doctor or nursing supervisor. This restriction protects both the child (from hospital infections) and the patient (from disturbances and infection risk). For paediatric patients, parents and immediate family adults are welcomed.
What is the ICU visiting policy?
ICU has restricted visiting policy to maintain sterile environment and patient rest. Typically, ICU permits 2 short visiting sessions daily (morning and evening) for 15-20 minutes each. Only 1 immediate family member at a time. Children below 12 years are not allowed. No flowers, food, or external items in ICU. Mandatory hand hygiene before entry. Daily medical updates are provided to designated family member.
Can I bring food for the patient?
Outside food and beverages should not be brought without prior permission from the treating nurse or doctor. Hospital provides medically appropriate diet approved by the dietician. Outside food may interfere with prescribed diet, medications, or recovery - especially for diabetic patients, post-surgical patients, or those with restricted diets. If you wish to bring specific items, consult the duty nurse for approval.
What is the visitor card system?
All visitors must collect a Visitor's Card at the reception or security desk before entering inpatient areas. The card identifies you as an authorised visitor and tracks visitor presence in the hospital. The Visitor's Card must be carried during your visit and produced when requested by hospital staff. Cards must be returned at the security desk on exit. This system ensures patient safety and security.
Are visitors required to follow infection control protocols?
Yes. Visitors should follow basic infection control - hand hygiene with soap or sanitiser at entry and exit, do not visit if you are unwell with fever, cough, cold, or any infectious illness, follow masking instructions when required, and follow nursing staff instructions for sterile areas like ICU and NICU. These protect vulnerable patients from healthcare-associated infections.
What is the NICU visiting policy?
NICU has the most restricted visiting policy due to newborn vulnerability. Typically only parents are permitted entry. Other family members require special permission. Strict hand hygiene is mandatory before approaching the newborn. Mothers are facilitated access for breastfeeding. No flowers, food, or external items allowed. Schedule visits with NICU nursing team.
Can family be present during labour?
In our combined Labour-Delivery-Recovery (LDR) suite, one family member is typically permitted to be with the mother during labour, subject to clinical situation and obstetric team judgment. Father or spouse is encouraged where possible. Other family members visit during regular visiting hours after delivery. The LDR suite is designed for family-friendly maternity care.
What should visitors not do during their visit?
Visitors must not - administer or alter any medication or medical treatment, enter restricted areas (nursing stations, doctor rooms, ICU corridors, OT areas), bring smoking/alcohol/drugs onto premises, engage in loud conversations or arguments, sit on floors or in clinical corridors, exceed the time limit, bring children below 12 years without permission, take photographs or videos in clinical areas, or engage in any disruptive behaviour. Verbal abuse, threats, or violence against staff is a punishable offence under the Telangana Medicare Service Persons Act 2008.
Questions about visiting a patient?
For specific patient visiting arrangements, ICU permissions, or any clarifications, contact our reception team anytime.
