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Visitor Guidelines


At Children’s Mercy, the patient’s parents or legal guardians are considered part of the health care team, not visitors. Parents and guardians will be given a green wristband for 24/7 access. Learn about checking in and out as a parent/guardian.

Seasonal inpatient visitor guidelines

During viral respiratory season, we have some additional guidelines for visitors.

  • Children 12 and under will not be able to visit patients in the hospital.
  • All guests must feel well and not be sick.  
  • Guests between the ages of 13 and 16 must always be with an adult.  
  • Parents/guardians are not considered visitors and may be with their child 24/7. Parents will still need to sign in and follow all safety precautions.
  • Sometimes there can be exceptions to these rules. If you have any other questions, please talk to your child's nurse. 
  • These precautions do not apply for clinics and outpatient units. 


Effective November 4, 2025.

For everyone else:

  • Visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Visitors will go through metal and weapons detectors on arrival to keep everyone safe.
  • Visitors will be screened for illness before visiting inpatient units.
  • Visitors 16 years and older must show ID to enter the hospital.
  • Visitors under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • Visitors must wear their visitor’s sticker while in the hospital.
  • Visitor’s stickers must be visible at all times (avoid stickers on handbags, wallets, strollers, or children)
  • Up to two parents, legal guardians or authorized adults may stay overnight in the patient's room.
  • Visitor policies may change during times of high risk for infection and/or for patients with special considerations in their medical records.
  • We will not deny visitation privileges based on race, religion, ethnicity, language, culture, size, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability or disability.

Get tips for being a helpful visitor.

Items that are not allowed in Children’s Mercy

Including, but not limited to:

  • Firearms or ammunition (concealed or unconcealed)
  • Knives, scissors, razor blades or other sharp objects
  • Tasers
  • Mace, pepper spray
  • Alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia
  • Flammable liquids or any type of explosives/projectiles
  • Impact weapons such as batons, brass knuckles, nunchucks, blackjacks, clubs, etc.