2015 Delaware Code
Title 16 - Health and Safety
CHAPTER 10. HOSPITALS
§ 1020 Hospital visitation policy.

(a) Each hospital shall include in its visitation policy a provision allowing each competent adult patient to receive visits from any individual from whom a patient desires to receive visits, subject to restrictions contained in the visitation policy related to a patient's medical condition, the number of visitors simultaneously permitted in a patient's room, and the hospital's visitation hours, as well as protective orders issued by a court.

(b) Each hospital shall honor each adult patient's desires set forth in the adult patient's power of attorney documents, advance health-care directives, and any similar documents, in accordance with and subject to provisions related to same that appear in this chapter, Chapter 25 of this title, and Chapter 49 of Title 12.

(c) The duties and rights conferred by this section are in addition to, and not in derogation of, duties and rights otherwise conferred by law, including §§ 2508 and 5161 of this title.

(d) Nothing in 77 Del. Laws, c. 49 shall preclude a hospital from restricting visitations due to attempts to interfere with patient care, the presentation of a threat to staff, patients or hospital personnel, or other actions disruptive to hospital operations.

(e) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section above, nothing in this section shall be read to overrule any decision of the Delaware Department of Correction.

77 Del. Laws, c. 49, § 1.;