Visitor Information

Mercy Welcomes Visitors

Please observe these guidelines while you are on our campus:

  • As with any public place there remains a chance for exposure to COVID-19 while in our facilities
  • If you’re not feeling well or have been COVID-19 positive or exposed within the last 10 days,* please refrain from visiting Mercy patients for now
  • Visiting some patients may require extra precautions

COVID-19 positive patients in isolation may have visitors at this time that follow these additional rules

*per CDC guidelines for health care facilities

Mercy Hospital Jefferson Visitor Information

Mercy’s goal is to provide you with the best care. For your health and safety, we have visitor hours and guidelines in place to help you, your family and your care team during your hospital stay in Festus. Please take a few minutes to review this information with your loved ones.

General Hospital Visiting Hours

Our open visiting policy allows visitors 24/7 access, but please be mindful of our patients who need rest.

Maternity Visiting Hours

The patient's primary support person may visit anytime. During labor, additional visitors are limited dependent on the clinical situation. Other family members or friends are asked to stay in the family waiting area. All children, including siblings, must be accompanied by an adult.

Visitors, families, and children are welcome and encouraged to visit the Birthplace at any time.  

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Visiting Hours

Only two visitors will be allowed to see a patient at any given time. ICU staff may further limit visitors at their discretion.

Please review Visitor Guidelines prior to your visit.

Visitors bring emotional support and enhanced recovery to our patients. To provide a restful and safe environment, we ask that all visitors comply with the following guidelines:

  • Be considerate of other patients by keeping noise in room, hallway and waiting area to a minimum.
  • Patients may receive visitors either in their room or in the patient waiting areas.
  • Only two visitors are allowed in the patient’s room at one time.
  • Children under 12 must have adult supervision at all times while visiting. Children may be restricted from certain areas in the hospital to protect vulnerable patients from infection.
  • Please refrain from visiting if you have a cold, sore throat or any contagious disease.
  • Visitors must comply with hand washing and infection control policies as requested.
  • Please do not bring food or beverages to a patient unless approved by the doctor or nurse.
  • Patient restrooms are restricted to patient use only. Visitors should use public restrooms throughout the hospital.
  • Observe “No Visiting” and precaution signs before entering a room.
  • Smoking or vaping is not allowed on our hospital campus.
  • Please leave the room during tests or treatments, if asked.
  • Feel free to use the lounges and seating areas available on most patient floors and in the main lobby.
  • Visitors are expected to be courteous and respectful to the patients, hospital staff, medical staff, and Mercy South property.

If a patient is facing an end-of-life prognosis, the patient’s physician may make exceptions so that the emotional needs of the patient and family are met.

Mercy reserves the right to change current policies for the safety of patients, visitors, and staff at any time during a pandemic, public health emergency, or other exceptional circumstances.

Clean Hands In, Clean Hands Out.

With one simple act, you can help Mercy keep our patients safer: Wash or sanitize your hands on the way in and out. Patients in our hospitals and clinics are vulnerable to infections. Cleaning your hands is the best way to help prevent the spread of germs.

Clean in.

Before entering a Mercy hospital, patient room or exam room, wash or sanitize your hands. Hand-sanitizer stations and public restrooms are available throughout our hospitals and clinics.

Clean out.

Always wash or sanitize your hands after touching any surface in a hospital or exam room, before eating and after using the restroom.

Patient safety is in our clean hands.

Mercy has a hand-hygiene monitoring system with voice reminders for our caregivers. When you hear these reminders, join us in cleaning your hands. Together, we can give patients the safest possible care.

Hospital Cafeteria

The hospital cafeteria is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday hours are 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  • Breakfast is served from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.
  • Lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Dinner is served from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m.

Patient meals are delivered as room service from the At Your Request menu. Visitors may also order a meal tray through the At Your Request menu for $7 cash only.

Vending Machines

Vending machines offering beverages and snacks are available throughout the hospital.

The We Care Gift Shoppe is operated by volunteer members of the hospital Auxiliary on the first floor of the hospital near the elevators and cafeteria. The Auxiliary donates proceeds from the shop for hospital equipment purchases, facility upgrades, and other patient care needs.

Gift Shop Hours

Monday - Friday:  8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday:  8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Hospital Pharmacy Services

The Mercy retail pharmacy is available to fill prescriptions, provide over-the-counter medications, and offers other health-related products on the ground floor of the South Medical Office. The pharmacy is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Hospital Security

Security officers are on duty 24 hours daily. After 9:00 p.m. visitors may only enter the hospital through the Emergency Department entrance and must be allowed access by the on-duty security officer.

Free Hospital WiFi

Free guest WiFi is available. Select WiFi@Mercy on your web-enabled device.

Smoke-Free Hospital

Mercy Hospital has a campus-wide no-smoking policy in accordance with Joint Commission accreditation standards.

Mercy is concerned about your health. If you smoke or know someone who smokes, please consider quitting.

For the Deaf and Hearing Impaired

An interpreter, assistive listening devices, telecommunications devices (TDD) and closed-caption televisions are available at no cost for hearing-impaired patients. Ask your nurse for assistance.

Mercy is a faith-based ministry committed to meeting the spiritual needs of the people we serve. We respect and honor the faiths and religious traditions of all. Chaplains are available to meet individual spiritual and religious needs.

As a ministry of the Catholic Church, Mercy makes the sacraments available to those who wish to receive them. Protestant communion and emergency baptism are available by request.

Hospital Chapel

Located on the first floor near the main hospital entrance, the recently remodeled chapel is open 24 hours a day for quiet reflection. Pastoral care services are provided by a full-time director and a large group of on-call chaplains who are available at any time.

Festus MO Hospital Information