Visitor Form to download and return to Child Life
Printable copy of these guidelines

We thank you for your interest in the patients of St. John’s Children’s Hospital. The ages of patients at our facility range from infancy through 21 years of age.

In order to make this special visit a positive experience for both you and the children, we ask that you consider the following guidelines:

• Please keep you group size small (10 or less).

• Keep the subject matter of your program non-threatening to young patients. Please avoid themes dealing with painful medical procedures, violence, death and monsters. This may frighten children. All subject matter must be approved by the Child Life Department prior to your visit.

• Contact us as soon as possible at (417) 820-3457, if you are unable to keep your scheduled program date.

• Allow enough time to get to the hospital, park, and enter the building. This will enable your program to start on time.

• Do not take pictures of the patients or arrange for media coverage unless you have discussed your plans with and received permission from your contact in advance.

• Do not ask the child why he/she is in the hospital or about their treatment.

• Allow the patient to decide how they will respond or interact with you.

• No balloons of any kind!

• Do not enter a child’s room without patient or staff approval. There may be a medical reason why the child must be isolated, or the child may be exercising his/her right to privacy.

• Please refrain from touching any medical equipment/toys or sitting on the patient’s bed.

• To respect the confidentiality of the patients, please do not discuss the patients at any time following the interaction.

• Please walk to one side of the hallway and keep the noise level down.

Thank you for your concern and interest in our patients. We hope you enjoy your visit.