Visiting a Patient
To make your visit easier, follow the links below for useful information about visiting hours and policies, hospital amenities, and parking.
Visiting Hours
Regular Visiting Hours
The following are Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center's regular visiting hours:
- Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians may visit any time, day or night, and may stay overnight. - All Others
We welcome family members, siblings, and friends to visit Duke Children's Hospital from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. - Visitor Age Requirements and Restrictions
Visitors must be at least 12 years old or obtain care nurse permission. No more than two visitors at a time, please.
Pediatric ICU Visiting Hours
- Parents, Guardians, and Family Members
Open visiting hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. daily.
Closed for visitation from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Visitor Age Requirements and Restrictions
Siblings may visit but if less than 12 years old, screening form must be completed by parent/guardian. No more than two visitors at a time, please.
Pediatric Intermediate Visiting Hours
- Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians may visit any time, day or night, and may stay overnight. - All Others
We welcome family members, siblings, and friends to visit Duke Children's Hospital from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. - Visitor Age Requirements and Restrictions
Siblings and others may visit but if less than 12 years old, screening form must be completed by parent/guardian. Please check with your care nurse regarding the number of allowable visitors.
Neonatal ICU and Transitional Care Unit Visiting Hours
- Parents, Guardians, and Family Members
Anytime except 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Visitor Age Requirements and Restrictions
Visitors must be at least 12 years old. Please check with your care nurse regarding the number of allowable visitors.
Psychiatry
- Parents, Guardians, Family Members and Others
Open visiting hours from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Visitor Age Requirements and Restrictions
Visitors must be at least 12 years old. Please check with your care nurse regarding the number of allowable visitors.
Parents are responsible for supervision of visiting siblings, and other visiting children must always be accompanied by an adult. In the interest of patient safety and to allow for optimum care for your child, please limit the number of guests in your child's room at any given time. Family and visitor waiting areas are located on each patient floor. Please let your nurse know if you would prefer that guests not visit your child when you are not present.
Visitors who have colds or other infections should stay at home until they are well. As an infection control precaution, visiting children are not permitted into the Child and Adolescent Life playrooms.
Visiting Policies
Visiting in the ICUs
- Advance planning is essential when visiting patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Please check with the nurse regarding limitations on the number of other visitors or the length of visits as they are determined on an individual basis.
- When visiting a patient in the ICUs, please do not bring food, fresh flowers or plants (silk flowers, pictures and cards are acceptable). Please remember that space for personal items is limited in the ICUs.
- Please respect the needs of others and maintain a calm and quiet atmosphere in the ICUs.
Balloons
Mylar (metallic) balloons for patients are welcomed at Duke Children's Hospital. However, latex (rubber) balloons are not allowed anywhere in the hospital because such balloons are a choking hazard for young children and can cause allergic reactions for patients and staff.
Cell Phones
Cell phones and other wireless devices (PDAs, Blackberrys, etc.) cannot be used on patient floors or near any medical equipment. Please turn them off in restricted areas. However, they may be used by the elevator area on each patient floor, as well as in the main areas of the hospital. If in doubt, please inquire with hospital staff before using a cellular phone.
Smoke-Free Environment
The use of tobacco products will not be permitted inside or outside any Duke Medicine hospital campus, outpatient facility, physicians or administrative offices, or medical and nursing schools. By providing a tobacco-free environment for our patients, visitors, physicians, and employees, we are doing our part to create and sustain a healthy community.
Alcohol and Drugs
Alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited in the hospital and on the grounds. Patients, parents or other visitors who would like professional help for problems with alcohol or drug use may speak to a nurse, physician, or social worker. Weapons, including firearms and knives, are not allowed on hospital grounds.
Security
Since many people go into and out of the hospital at all hours, please leave valuables at home, including expensive clothing, electronic equipment, large sums of money, and valuable jewelry. For safety reasons, Duke Children's recommends that you do not walk alone outdoors at night. Please call Security if you need an escort.
Amenities
Everyone at Duke Children's Hospital understands that quality care involves more than cutting-edge medical treatment and world-renowned medical staff. It also involves supporting our patients, their families, and visitors with a wide variety of amenities to ensure that your visitation time here is as stress-free and comfortable as possible.
Visitor Parking
- Visitor Parking Locations and Fees
- Duke Children's Hospital and
Health Center Parking
- Duke Clinic Parking
- Eye Center Parking
- Oversized Vehicles
- Valet Parking
Visitor Parking Locations and Fees
| Facility |
Attended Hours |
Hourly Rate |
Daily Rate |
|
Parking Garage I |
M-F
6:45am - 8:30pm |
$1.00 | $6.00 |
|
Parking Garage II |
M-F
6:45am - 11:30pm; Sa-Su 11:00am - 9:00pm |
$1.00 | $6.00 |
|
Parking Garage III |
M-F
11:00am - 7:30pm |
$1.00 | $6.00 |
|
The Eye Center |
M-F
6:30am - 6:00pm |
$1.00 | $6.00 |
Discount coupon books are available for purchase by patients and patient families at the Medical Center Gift Shops and at the Parking Office located off the hospital walkway adjacent to the Medical Center Bookstore and Key Shop. The booklets contain 10 coupons and cost $25.00.
Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center Parking
The parking structure for Duke University Hospital and Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center is located on Erwin Road directly across the street from Duke Children's Hospital (Parking Garage II). This parking structure has an underground walkway and shuttle service to the hospital. The shuttle terminal is located on the "RT" level of the Duke University Hospital parking deck. Also on the "RT" level is a well-lit, securely monitored underground walkway to the hospital.
A second parking deck (Parking Garage III) is available for Duke Children's and Duke University Hospital. This garage is attached to the North Pavilion Building off Fulton Road, about three blocks from the main Duke Hospital entrance.
Duke Clinic Parking
The parking structure (Parking Garage I) for Duke Clinic can be reached by turning onto Trent Drive from Erwin Road.
Eye Center Parking
Patients and visitors of the Duke University Eye Center may park in the Eye Center parking lot on Erwin Road or the parking garage across from Duke University Hospital.
Oversized Vehicles
Parking for oversized vehicles is located adjacent to the Duke University Hospital parking deck. To obtain a pass for an oversized vehicle, call 919-684-5773.
Valet Parking
Valet parking service is available at Duke University Hospital, Duke Clinic, Duke Emergency Services, and Morris Cancer Clinic.
- Duke University Hospital: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 10:00 pm; Saturday - Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; $7.00 per day.
- Duke Clinic: at Entry 1 (main entrance); Monday - Friday, 7:30 am to 6:00 pm; $7.00 per day.
- Duke Emergency Services: Available 24 hours a day, everyday; Free for ER patients.
- Morris Cancer Clinic: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm; Free for radiation/oncology patients.
