Visiting a Patient
Visiting Hours
You are welcome to stay with your child 24 hours a day except in our intensive care units. General visiting from other family members, siblings, friends and non-patient visitors is suggested between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Children should be in the company of an adult at all times.
If you plan to stay overnight, or come to the hospital after general visiting hours, enter through the Emergency Department entrance. You will be issued a visitor’s badge from the security officer.
The nurse may alter the visitation rules in order to meet the individual needs of the patient and/or the parents.
Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatric Intensive Care areas have special visiting guidelines due to the condition of their patients.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Visiting Hours
Parents are welcome in the NICU at all hours except during shift change between 6:30 a.m. – 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Please limit the number of visitors at the bedside to two people. One must be the parent or legal guardian of the patient.
Other relatives and friends may visit if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Brothers and sisters may visit with a parent at any time, but the length of the visit may be limited depending on the age of the child. No other children will be allowed to visit.
Visitors should use the telephone provided outside the unit to identify themselves prior to entry.
The nurse may alter the visitation rules in order to meet the individual needs of the patient and/or the parents.
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Visiting Hours
Parents, grandparents and significant others may visit anytime except during patient rounds between 7 – 9 a.m. and 7 – 9 p.m.
Visitors should use the telephone provided outside the unit to identify themselves prior to entry.
The nurse may alter the visitation rules in order to meet the individual needs of the patient and/or the parents.
Infection Prevention
Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene (hand washing or alcohol gel hand rub) is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infection. Your child’s nurse will educate visitors about hand hygiene procedures.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus – RSV
Typically during the cold and flu season, Children's Hospital Central California will declare visitor restrictions due to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Some of these viruses can cause severe complications in children who may already have other health problems.
During RSV season, children 12 years old and younger are not allowed to visit the Hospital in patient care areas. The goal of this action is to prevent visiting children from infecting hospitalized children with the RSV virus. Additionally, it also protects visiting children from being infected by hospital bound patients.
This action is necessary to protect the health of families and the well being of hospitalized children and staff.
Click here for the RSV brochure in English
Click here for the RSV brochure in Spanish
Wellness Wristbands
We ask that you check in at the Information Center at the main entrance or enter the Emergency Department when the main entrance is closed. Children under the age of 13 who are visiting are asked about their health in case they are contagious to others. A Wellness Wristband is issued to all visiting children and must be worn at all times while at the hospital.
Parking
Free self-parking for families and visitors is available in areas marked "Visitor Parking." Please do not park in any area designated "Employee Parking" or "Physician Parking" or for special needs, such as handicapped.
Maps & Directions
Public Transportation
Public transportation is available to Children's from the City of Fresno and Madera and Kings Counties.
The Fresno Area Express (FAX)
Children's Hospital Express leaves Fresno from the Edwards Theater stop in The Market Place at River Park.
Madera County Connection (MCC)
Consult bus schedules for departure and arrival times.
Kings Area Rural Transit (KART): (559) 584-0101
Going Places: (559) 381-1165
Housing Options
Patient Beside
Parents or guardians are encouraged to visit 24 hours a day. A bedside recliner or sleeper sofa is available for overnight stays in patient rooms. The patient or patient’s legal guardian may select two adults who may stay overnight on acute care units. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit have special overnight visitor guidelines. Consult your child’s nurse for details.
RV Parking
During extended stays, patient families may use one of six recreational vehicle (RV) parking spaces located east of the Hospital. Spaces are provided on a first come, first serve basis and reservations are not accepted. Families seeking to use a RV parking space must register with the Hospital’s Safety and Security Department prior to use. Length of stay is limited.
Contact:
Safety and Security Department
(559) 353-5115
Ronald McDonald House
A few steps from Children’s Hospital Central California, the Ronald McDonald House provides a place to stay for parents of patients who live outside the Fresno/Madera area. The house has 18 private guestrooms, kitchens, laundry facilities, a library, game room, TV room and children’s playroom. There is a nominal fee that can be waived if the family is unable to pay.
Contact:
Central Valley Ronald McDonald House
9161 Randall Way
Madera, CA 93636-8761
(559) 447-6770
www.ronald-mcdonaldhouse.com
Hotels in the Area
Local hotel directory
http://hotelguide.net
Flowers & Gifts
Friends and family are welcome to send flowers, cards and other gifts to patients staying at Childrens Hospital. Depending on the inpatient unit, there may be some restrictions, so please check with the nurse. No live plants or flowers are allowed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Latex balloons are not allowed in the hospital but Mylar balloons are acceptable.
Mailing information:
Patient's Name
Room Number
Childrens Hospital Central California
9300 Valley Children's Place
Madera, CA 93636-8762
Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is conveniently located in the rotunda in the main entrance of the Hospital. It provides a wide variety of children’s toys, plush animals, games, balloons, books, baby items, greeting cards, magazines, giftware, candy, snack food and Children’s Hospital souvenirs. Personal items including toothbrushes, combs, cough drops, and aspirin are also available. Please remember that patients should get only the medication prescribed and given by their treatment team. The Gift shop is open:
Monday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Friday: 7 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 11 am – 3 pm
Our volunteers will be happy to serve you. The hours of the Gift Shop are subject to change.