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General visiting hours are from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. No more than two visitors are allowed at one time. Children under the age of 12 may, under certain conditions, be allowed short visits. Please check with a nurse at the nurses' station.

Obstetrics

Visitors are welcome and, with parents' permission, unlimited visiting hours are available.

The Birthing Center

The Birthing Center promotes the safety, rest, comfort and privacy all new parents need, so we ask visitors to respect the specific requests of our staff and new parents. During the labor, delivery and recovery process, no more than three support persons may be in the birthing suite at a time. Visitors not in the birthing or family suites may go to the family waiting room or other public area in the hospital. We request that visitors not stay in the hall outside the suites as this may disrupt other mothers and babies who are trying to rest. All children under 10 years of age must be supervised by a visiting adult. Cellular telephones and walkie-talkies are not allowed in the nursery areas due to their impact on vital equipment.

Nursery Viewing Hours

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
 
Intensive Care Nursery (ICN)

Visitation 24 hours a day, except between the hours of 7-7:30 a.m. and on Tuesdays between 10-11 a.m.
Two visitors allowed at a time; one must be a parent.

Pediatrics

2:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Parents and grandparents have unlimited visiting hours.

Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)

8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Immediate family only. Please check at the nurses' station before entering the patient's room.

Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)

9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Immediate family only, two visitors at a time. Please use the telephone outside the unit for permission to enter.

Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU)

8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Immediate family only, two visitors at a time. Please use the telephone outside the unit for permission to enter.

Visitor Waiting Area

There is a visitor waiting area located in the lobby in addition to waiting areas throughout the hospital. During certain hours, a volunteer is on duty in the surgery, SICU and south addition waiting areas to assist with directions and information.

Being a Good Visitor

Knowing how to be a good visitor in the hospital can make your relative or friend cope more easily with the difficulty of a hospital stay. These tips can help you be a better visitor:

  • If possible, try to schedule your visit with the patient. This gives the patient an opportunity to look and feel their best.

  • Some patients are too ill to have visitors or may not feel up to it, but they may not tell you. Be sensitive to the patient's needs. It may be better to send a card.

  • If you are ill, do not visit. Do not take sick or unruly children to visit a recovering patient.

  • Knock and ask permission to enter the room. This will enable the patient to be prepared for someone to come in.

  • Just coming to visit a patient in the hospital is important. If you feel you must offer something more, ask what the patient might need, such as something to read, a garment, photo, a toiletry item or a favorite item from home.

  • It may be best to check on any restrictions the patient may have in receiving gifts before sending or bringing something. For example, patients with respiratory problems may not be able to receive flowers or plants and some patients may have dietary restrictions.

  • When visiting, focus on the patient's thoughts, feelings and concerns, not your problems or those of others in the hospital.

  • Don't compare the patient to others with similar problems, even if your purpose it to relate a hopeful prognosis.

  • Do not criticize the treatment the patient is receiving. It is important the patient believe that everything possible is being done. A positive attitude is important for recovery.

  • Do not sit on the bed unless invited. If you usually kiss or touch the patient, do so as you normally would. This kind of behavior makes the patient feel comfortable.

  • Do not sit on the clean, empty bed in the room as this soils the bed linens.

  • If you are tired or pre-occupied with other thoughts, you may not be a positive influence on the patient. Postpone your visit until a time when your full attention can be devoted to the patient.

  • If a doctor or nurse comes into the room while you're visiting, excuse yourself and step out of the room. This will allow the patient to ask questions that are personal.

Hospital visiting hours are designed to allow the patient a liberal amount of time for visitors. However, a visit of 10 to 20 minutes is often enough for both the patient and visitor, particularly when the patient is very ill or tired. An hour should be the limit per visit.

Boone Hospital Center has a strong interest in protecting all our patients, visitors and staff from infections and communicable diseases. For this reason, the staff follows precautions, called Universal Precautions, to prevent the spread of organisms (germs) from all patients, not just patients who have infections or communicable diseases. These precautions may include hand washing and special clothing such as gloves, gowns, etc.

Under certain circumstances, it will be necessary for you to wear special clothing and wash your hands during your visit with a patient. A Universal Precautions Plus sign on the patient's door will give you instructions on what you need to do. This may mean wearing a mask, gown and/or gloves. If you are not sure what you need to do, please ask a nurse at the nurses' station to help clarify these instructions and assist you.

Many patients have weakened immune systems that make them very susceptible to a variety of illnesses. People who are ill with a cold, fever, diarrhea, flu or a communicable disease should not visit a patient. In addition, children who have been exposed to or have chicken pox, measles, mumps, pinkeye or rubella should not come to the hospital to visit a patient.

Mail may be sent to BHC patients addressed as follows:
 
[Patient's full name]
c/o Boone Hospital Center
1600 E. Broadway
Columbia MO 65201

Be sure to use the patient's first name. Do not use "Mrs. John Smith." Instead, use "Mary Smith" to ensure proper delivery to your recipient.

Additionally, if you use the patient's home address as the return address on the mailing envelope, it will make forwarding mail onto them at home easy in the event that they have been discharged from the hospital early.

You may also send an electronic card to patients at Boone Hospital.

If you are from outside of the Columbia area, you may wish to take advantage of several housing opportunities. Overnight or longer-term housing is sometimes available from Stephens College, Columbia College or the University of Missouri Housing office. You may also want to check the Columbia Tribune for rental options. A motel/hotel information sheet is available in the hospital lobby or phone (573) 815-6491. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce web site also provides a list of local hotel and motel accommodations.

Boone Hospital and Ronald McDonald Charities of Mid-Missouri host the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Boone Hospital Center, a place where families can stay and get some respite during a child's illness. In addition, the Ronald McDonald House of Columbia provides a home-away-from-home for eligible families with hospitalized children.

The Boone Hospital gift shop is located across from the information desk in the hospital lobby and carries a large variety of gifts and other items, including cards, candy, flowers, postage stamps and personal items. Staffed by volunteers, the gift shop offers a 10 percent discount on purchases greater than $5 when Value Card holders present their card. You may also send gifts to patients from home using our online giftshop.

Gift Shop Hours

Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sat & Sunday 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.