visiting children in the hospital
We understand the value of visiting loved ones at Dayton Children’s. Visitations help patients feel at peace, stay connected to those they care about and help them heal. Here are some ways you can be prepared for your visit and make a child’s stay at Dayton Children’s even better.
Please note: All visitors 2 years and older must still wear a mask, as required by federal guidelines for health care organizations.* Masks must cover the nose and mouth.
new visitor restrictions (updated October 26, 2022)
At Dayton Children's, as well as across the country, we have been seeing an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and flu cases. These viruses are peaking earlier and harder than most years. In an effort to stop the spread and with the safety and health of our patients, visitors and staff as our top priority, Dayton Children's is implementing visitor restrictions. At this time, children younger than 12 years old are not permitted to visit inpatient units.
Providing above and beyond care requires making sure patients avoid additional exposure to these illnesses. Because children's airways and immune systems are developing and may have trouble clearing mucus associated with colds and other respiratory illnesses, they are most at risk for contracting the flu and RSV.
RSV is a highly contagious respiratory illness that virtually all children will catch by two-years-old. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 24 out of 100 children will develop bronchiolitis or pneumonia following exposure to the virus and up to 20 out of 1,000 will need hospitalization. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases estimates that over 20,000 children under the age of 5 will be hospitalized with influenza this year, making up over a third of the country's flu-related hospitalizations.
The safety and wellbeing of our patients, visitors and staff is always our top priority.