Benefits and Risks of Visitor Restrictions for Hospitalized Children During the COVID Pandemic.

Creator(s)

Alice K. Virani
Henry T. Puls, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Rebecca Mitsos
Holly Longstaff
Ran D. Goldman
John Lantos, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2020

Identifier

DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-000786

Abstract

To control the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019, many hospitals have strict visitor restriction policies. These policies often prohibit both parents from visiting at the same time or having grandparents or other family members visit at all. We discuss cases in which such policies created ethical dilemmas and possibly called for compassionate exceptions from the general rules.

Journal Title

Pediatrics

Volume

146

Issue

2

MeSH Keywords

Adolescent; Betacoronavirus; Child; Child, Hospitalized; Coronavirus Infections; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Family; Female; Health Policy; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infection Control; Male; Pandemics; Patient-Centered Care; Pneumonia, Viral; Visitors to Patients

Keywords

Adolescent; Betacoronavirus; Child; Child, Hospitalized; Coronavirus Infections; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Family; Female; Health Policy; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infection Control; Male; Pandemics; Patient-Centered Care; Pneumonia, Viral; Visitors to Patients

Recommended Citation

Virani AK, Puls HT, Mitsos R, Longstaff H, Goldman RD, Lantos JD. Benefits and Risks of Visitor Restrictions for Hospitalized Children During the COVID Pandemic. Pediatrics. 2020;146(2):e2020000786. doi:10.1542/peds.2020-000786