No Patient Left Alone Act

HOSPITAL VISITATION

No Patient Left Alone Act

63 O.S. § 1-706a

Minor children who are admitted to an Oklahoma licensed hospital have the right to have a parent, guardian or person standing in loco parentis present when the minor patient is receiving hospital care.
An adult who is admitted to an Oklahoma licensed hospital has the right to designate a spouse, family member or care giver who may be present while the patient is receiving hospital care.
The hospital may limit visitation by policy when:
1. The presence of visitor is medically or therapeutically contraindicated.
2. The presence of visitor interferes with the care or rights of other patients.
3. Visitor is engaging in disruptive or violent behavior.
4. Visitor is non-compliant with hospital policy
The hospital will provide personal protective equipment if it is required for visitation of patients. Visitors are required to comply with reasonable safety protocols and rules of conduct. The hospital may revoke visitation rights if visitors fail to comply with hospital visitation policy.
The rights specified in this act may not be terminated, suspended, or waived by the hospital, the State Department of Health, or any governmental entity, notwithstanding declarations of emergency declared by the Governor or the Legislature.

Disclaimer:
Nothing in the act should be construed to require a hospital to allow a visitor to enter an operating room, isolation room, isolation unit, behavioral health setting or other typically restricted area or to remain present during the administration of emergency care in critical situations. In addition, nothing in the act should be construed to require a hospital to allow a visitor access beyond the rooms, units, or wards in which the patient the visitor is visiting is receiving care or beyond general common areas in the hospital.

Web: Oklahoma.gov/health | Phone: 1-405-426-8000 | Toll Free: 1-800-522-0203