Our guidelines for visitors help ensure the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and staff. In an effort to stop the spread of illnesses like seasonal flu, visiting hours are occasionally limited to parents and guardians only. You will be notified if this happens.
Hospital policies and guidelines
Tobacco-free institution
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a tobacco-free institution. Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, and other tobacco use is prohibited indoors and outdoors at Hershey Medical Center locations.
Visiting while sick
Please refrain from visiting the Medical Center within 24 hours of sickness symptoms, including fever, body aches, sore throat, and cough. If you must visit while sick, please wear a mask - available at the Medical Center's information desk near the main entrance - sanitize your hands regularly, and keep your distance from others.
Hand hygiene
To prevent the spread of germs, use proper hand hygiene, including:
- Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer and rubbing hands until they are dry You have the right to ask your health care provider to wash his or her hands before and after treatment.
Cell phone use
Cellular phones may interfere with clinical patient monitoring equipment. Signs will indicate areas where cell phone usage is not allowed. In addition, cell phone conversations can be disruptive in quiet environments. We ask that you limit extended cell phone conversations to areas including lobbies, dining areas, and waiting rooms.
Flowers and balloons
Due to limited space and to maintain infection control, flowers, plants, and balloons are not allowed in some patient care areas. Please check with the patient’s nurse before bringing these items to a patient.
Quiet time
Please respect our Quiet Hours in the Medical Center from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. daily and in the evenings from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. During these times, we lower the lights, close doors to patient rooms, and ask everyone to lower their voices.