Visiting Hours and Guidelines

At Doctors Hospital of Laredo (DHL), visiting with family and friends is an important part of a patient’s hospital stay. Additionally, observing standard patient visiting hours are also important and at times necessary to promote quality patient care, patient recovery and patient safety.

The following visitor guidelines are subject to change as needed to protect our patients, community, employees and medical staff.

  • General visiting hours are 9 am – 9 pm.
  • Emergency Department
    • ​A patient assigned to a private room in the ED may have two visitors.
    • If a patient has or is suspected of having COVID, only one visitor (18 and older) may visit after they have been placed into a private room. This visitor cannot swap out with another. Visitors must wear appropriate PPE for the duration of their visit.
    • A patient in a hallway treatment area may have one visitor (18 and older). These visitors may swap out; one visitor should exit before the other enters the ED.
  • Labor and Delivery
    • ​Patients may have two visitors at a time. One support person (family member) may stay overnight (no hour restriction).
  • Postpartum
    • Patients may have two visitors at a time plus the support person.
    • Siblings of the newborn may visit, but no other children under 12 years old are permitted.
    • One adult is permitted to remain with the mother and baby overnight while mother and baby are patients in the Women’s Center.
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
    • ​Two visitors are allowed at the baby’s bedside during visiting hours. Visitors must be accompanied by a parent.
    • All visitors will wash their hands and don a cover gown before entering the NICU.
  • Pediatrics
    • Patients may have two visitors at a time.
    • One support person with the additional identification bracelet is permitted to spend the night.
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
    • Patients may have two visitors at a time.
    • Visitors are restricted to the immediate family or significant others.
  • Surgery – Recovery Room
    • Pediatric patients: One parent/family member is expected to remain with a recovering child during their stay in the Recovery Room.
    • Adult patients: One family member or loved one may visit a patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Visitation is limited to five minutes. The visitor must have permission from the nurse caring for the patient. The patient must be sufficiently recovered to allow for visitation.
    • Visitors are not permitted in the PACU when any PACU patient’s condition is critical. On such an occasion, clergy, close relatives or friends may be permitted to see the patient for a few minutes if the situation allows.
    • No one under the age of 18 is permitted into the PACU without administrative approval.
    • No visitors or family members are permitted in the surgical suites.
  • Outpatient Surgery – No restrictions on number of visitors.
  • Outpatient Visits – No restrictions on number of visitors.
  • Immunocompromised Patients – Need to get a physician order for visitation.
  • Patients with disabilities and special needs (including cognitive and developmental disabilities) who receive care at the hospital may have a designated support person present with them to support their disability needs at all times medically necessary where such does not interfere with their treatment. There is no hour restriction.
  • Compassionate Care/End-of-Life Situations in COVID Units – One screened visitor (family member) is allowed at a time. Proper hand hygiene is required to enter the room and upon leaving the room. Time is limited to 15 minutes. Visitor must wear PPE at all times, including N95 mask, face shield, gloves and gown. Children under the age of 7 will require administration approval to visit.
  • Check with the floor nurse or contact the Information Desk at 956-523-2828 about the visiting hours for other units and additional hospital information.

General Guidelines

  • Visitors 12 years and older are welcome to visit patients throughout the hospital. For their safety, children under 12 years old are strongly discouraged from visiting patient care areas and should never be left unattended.
  • Smoking is only permitted only in the designated smoking area that is located outside of Doctors Hospital.
  • Shirts and shoes must be worn.
  • People with colds, sore throats or any contagious diseases should not visit patients.
  • Visits should be kept short. Visitors should avoid unnecessary noise to maintain a quiet environment.
  • Visitors may be asked to leave the room during tests or treatments or when the doctor or nurse needs to see the patient.
  • Visitor lounge areas are located on each patient floor and on the main floor in the lobby. Specific waiting areas have been designated for families of patients in the critical care units, the emergency department and surgery. During certain hours, a ward clerk is on duty in the surgery waiting room to keep family members informed about the progress of surgery.

Accommodations

Doctors Hospital has preferred rates with several area hotels. Please contact Administration at 956-523-2001 for rates.

Parking

Parking for patients and visitors is available at the hospital in front of the Main Entrance and Women's Center. Parking is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Gifts

Check with the floor nurse before bringing gifts of food or drink to patients as some are on restricted diets. On the Intensive Care Unit, please check with the unit regarding any gifts for patients.

The hospital Gift Shop offers gift items, jewelry, magazines, greeting cards, snacks, balloons, toiletries and flowers. The Gift Shop phone number is 956-523-2626.

Hours

  • Monday through Friday: 10 am – 3 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm
  • Sunday: Closed

Meditation Room

A meditation room, which is located on the first floor by ICU, is open 24 hours a day for patients and visitors.