“It’s a relief to have that support system,”: Hasbro Children’s Hospital allows 2 parents at a time

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)– Hasbro Children’s Hospital is now allowing two parents or caregivers at a time during visiting hours. Only one parent is allowed to stay overnight.

The change comes on the same day Lifespan announced it would be limiting visitation to one person at a time at hospitals.

A spokesperson said Hasbro Children’s Hospital is an exception because it’s important for parents to be together to share information and make decisions.

Katie Marsocci knows first hand just how hard it can be with just one parent allowed to see their child at a time.

Marsocci brought her 5-year-old to Hasbro Children’s Hospital on Memorial Day Weekend after her daughter had a high fever.

“Her fever was ranging between 103 and 104 degrees and before we finally got a diagnosis it was 17 days straight,” Marsocci said.

While doctors were trying to find out the cause of the fever, Marsocci’s husband couldn’t be there at the same time.

“They hooked her up to an IV and even with that it was just terrifying,” Marsocci said, “She kept crying, she wants her dad, wants daddy there, and it was just hard because she couldn’t understand why he couldn’t be there.”

Marsocci said the most difficult part was not being able to communicate with her husband.

“It got to the point where the doctor had questions, saying, ‘I think we are going to test her for leukemia,'” Marsocci recalled holding back tears. “At that point, my heart just broke because my husband was at work so I couldn’t even call him.”

Her daughter was released after three days and finally, the doctors diagnosed her with mono. Marsocci and her husband were relieved it was not anything more serious.

A spokesperson said this is exactly why they changed the restrictions, so parents in similar situations can communicate and make decisions together.

“It’s a relief to know they will have the support of their spouses, or other family members to be able to support them at such a troubling time,” Marsocci said. “It’s scary to go through that, especially with a child.”

For more information on visitations click here.