What are the rules of behavior for a hospital-room visitor?

They vary from hospital to hospital, and even from unit to unit within a hospital. But keep in mind a few basic guidelines: If there are 10 people in the room, it can be tough for the nurse and the doctor to do their jobs, says Kate Strooband, an obstetrics nurse in Eugene, Oregon. Try to keep out of the staff’s way, and be conscious of the patient’s need for privacy, too. “If the patient is getting a bed bath or trying to get up while wearing a not-for-the-modest hospital gown, it may be time for you to step out of the room,” Strooband says.
If the nurse gives you a cue or asks you to leave, remember that she is not being rude but is acting on behalf of her patient. Also, if you bring kids, keep them close by and make sure not to leave behind trash (theirs or yours). Bear in mind that children under 12 are often not allowed in intensive-care units (ICUs), and consider whether the patient’s condition might be unduly upsetting for a child before deciding to bring a youngster along with you.