For the safety of both visitors and patients, visitors must remain in either the patient’s room, designated unit waiting areas or the cafeteria when visiting any Ochsner Lafayette General facility. Visitors are not allowed to roam the halls of hospitals or clinics. A telephone is provided in each patient room, and there is no charge for local calls within a 30-mile radius. To dial out: dial 9, then the number. Long distance calls may be charged to your home, a credit card, or collect — they may not be charged to your room.
Masks are optional in most areas. Please note that, for your safety and for the safety of our patients, masking is strictly enforced in our hematology/oncology units, infusion areas, NICUs and for certain patient ICUs for all employees, patients and guests – regardless of vaccination status.
Those unwilling to comply will be asked to leave – no exceptions. Ochsner Lafayette General will make masks available at all entrances. Masks must be worn properly, ensuring that the nose and mouth are covered continuously. This is being done in alignment with all Ochsner Health divisions and the requirements set forth by the Louisiana Department of Health.
View our most up-to-date visitor policy here.
Below you will find each facility’s visitation hours with instructions specific to that location. We respectfully ask that you follow all policies and requests provided by each facility. However, we are currently under modified visitor restrictions. View it here.
Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center
Hospital Visiting Hours: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
ICU Visiting Hours: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m., 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Hospital Night Visiting Hours: 8:30 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.
Visitor Guidelines: The only entrance to the hospital is through the doors located in the Emergency Department (located by the Heymann Center side of the building). All guests must check in with the security officer to receive a visitor badge with the room number of the patient they are visiting. One visitor per patient, 18 years or older, is allowed to stay overnight. Overnight visitors must stay in the room.
Additional Visiting Hours:
- Intensive Care Unit: Patients in the ICU need to rest and heal, so please limit the time you are in the patient’s room. Children under the age of 14 will not be allowed to enter the ICU because their body’s immune system is not strong enough to protect them against germs they could be exposed to in the ICU. A form of photo ID is required to visit any patient in the ICU. Children ages 14 to 17 visiting in the ICU are to be accompanied by an adult with a valid form of photo ID.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Parents and grandparents may visit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit any time except between 6-8 a.m., 10-11 a.m. and 6-8 p.m. No visitors under 18 are allowed in the NICU. No visitor is allowed to stay overnight in the NICU.
- Emergency Room: Only one visitor per patient allowed.
- Labor/Delivery/Mother-Baby: Two visitors allowed at one time + midwife or Doula or birthing/Lamaze coach during labor
Chapel Hours:
Mondays-Fridays — 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel
Sundays — 6 a.m. in Owen Auditorium
Ash Wednesday and Holy Days of Obligation — 3 p.m. in Owen Auditorium
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Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopaedic Hospital–An Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center Campus
Hospital Visiting Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Hospital Night Visiting Hours: 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Visitor Guidelines: One visitor per patient, 18 years or older, is allowed to stay overnight. Children under age 12 may visit in patient rooms, with adult supervision. It is asked that the adult supervisor ensure that the visiting children do not disturb other patients. No more than two visitors may occupy a patient’s room at one time.
Emergency Department: One visitor per patient is allowed.
Rehabilitation Unit Visiting Hours:
- Monday – Friday, 4 – 8 p.m.
- Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Chapel Hours:
Tuesdays-Wednesdays —12:05 p.m.
Sundays and all Holy Days of Obligation — 6:15 a.m.
Ash Wednesday — 6:15 a.m. and 12:05 p.m.
Ochsner Lafayette General Surgical Hospital–An Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center Campus
Hospital Visiting Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Visitor Guidelines: One visitor per patient, 18 years or older, is allowed to stay overnight. Children under age 12 may visit in patient rooms, with adult supervision. It is asked that the adult supervisor ensure that the visiting children do not disturb other patients. No more than two visitors may occupy a patient’s room at one time.
Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics
Hospital Visiting Hours: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Visitor Guidelines: One visitor per patient, 18 years or older, is allowed to stay overnight. Children under age 12 may visit in patient rooms, with adult supervision. It is asked that the adult supervisor ensure that the visiting children do not disturb other patients. No more than two visitors may occupy a patient’s room at one time.
Additional Visiting Hours:
- Intensive Care Unit: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m., 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Only two visitors are allowed at the bedside at one time. No one under the age of 14 will be allowed in the unit due to high risk of infection.
- Emergency Department: One visitor per patient is allowed.
Chapel Hours:
First Friday of the month — 11:30 a.m. in Classroom 3E
Ash Wednesday — 11:30 a.m. in Classroom 3E
Ochsner Acadia General Hospital
Hospital Visiting Hours: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Visitor Guidelines: One visitor per patient, 18 years or older, is allowed to stay overnight. Children under age 12 may visit in patient rooms, with adult supervision. It is asked that the adult supervisor ensure that the visiting children do not disturb other patients. No more than two visitors may occupy a patient’s room at one time.
Additional Visiting Hours:
- Intensive Care Unit: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m., 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
- Emergency Room: Only 1 visitor per patient is allowed beyond the family waiting room (unless the condition of the patient prevents visitation).
- Cancer Center Clinic: Only 1 visitor per patient
- Cancer Center Infusion: Visitors are not allowed.
Chapel Hours:
First Wednesday of the month — 10:00 a.m.
Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital
Hospital Visiting Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Visitor Guidelines: Between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., the only entrance to the hospital is through the doors located in the Emergency Department. One visitor per patient, 18 years or older, is allowed to stay overnight. Overnight visitors must stay in the room. No more than two visitors may occupy a patient’s room at one time.
Emergency Department: One visitor per patient is allowed.
Ochsner St. Martin Hospital
Hospital Visiting Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Visitor Guidelines: One visitor will be allowed to stay overnight. No more than two visitors may occupy a patient’s room at one time. Children under the age of 12 are permitted in the patient’s room, but they must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Emergency Department: One visitor per patient is allowed.
Chapel Hours:
Fridays —11:00 a.m.
Ochsner Cancer Center of Acadiana
Visitor Guidelines: Patients may have one visitor accompany them to the clinic for an appointment; however, for the safety of our patients receiving chemotherapy, no visitors are allowed in the infusion center.
Lafayette Behavioral Health Unit
Unit Visiting Hours: Tuesdays and Saturdays 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Visitor Guidelines: Visitors must bring ID and be 12 years of age or older. Only two visitors permitted at a time. Visitors are not allowed to bring in cell phones, purses, lighters or any item considered contraband. All visitors are subjected to search. Visitors must have the patient's four-digit identification number, which can only be provided by the patient. Visitors must read and sign a confidentiality statement before visiting.
The Importance of Hospital Visiting Restrictions
Restricted visitation helps create a more restful environment for patients and limits distractions. Best practice across the country shows this is done to ensure your loved one receives the best care possible and is given the best chance for a full recovery. This is especially true for departments like the ER. Our hospitals treat over 85,000 patients per year in the Emergency Room. Our ER staff can provide more attentive care by limiting the number of visitors coming and going. Limiting the number of visitors improves the safety, privacy and noise level affecting our patients.
