The Ministry of Health has approved new regulations governing hospital visits, patient companions and overnight quiet hours in inpatient wards, as part of efforts to improve patient recovery and create a more supportive healthcare environment.

Under the rules approved by Health Ministry Undersecretary Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah, hospitals and specialized medical centers will introduce daily quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in inpatient wards while standardizing visiting procedures across government healthcare facilities.

The ministry said healthcare institutions have up to 30 days to implement the regulations, including installing signage, conducting staff awareness programs and establishing monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance.

The measures are based on international patient-centered healthcare standards that recognize the importance of sleep, rest and family support in promoting physical and psychological recovery.

The regulations seek to minimize nighttime disturbances by reducing noise, limiting unnecessary movement, and dimming non-essential lighting and scheduling non-urgent medical procedures outside designated quiet periods whenever possible.

Emergency departments, intensive care units, cardiac care units and operating theatres are exempt from the full quiet-hours requirements due to the nature of their work. However, all departments have been instructed to minimize avoidable noise wherever feasible.

The ministry stressed that patient safety and clinical care remain the top priority. Medical staff will continue to provide medications, monitor vital signs and respond to emergencies throughout the night, with the new rules aimed at reducing unnecessary disruptions rather than limiting healthcare services.

Healthcare workers have been directed to lower voices in corridors and nursing stations, reduce equipment noise, conduct shift handovers discreetly and avoid using public address systems unless necessary for patient safety.

Under the new policy, patients may be accompanied by one person when required, provided the companion is of the same gender. Exceptions may be granted by medical authorities based on humanitarian or social circumstances.

Companions will also be required to follow quiet-hour guidelines, including keeping noise levels low, avoiding gatherings in corridors and using headphones when listening to audio content.

Visiting hours for inpatients have been set from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with additional morning visits allowed during official holidays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. During Ramadan, visiting hours will be extended until 9 p.m.

The number of visitors will be capped at seven people per patient at any one time, although medical authorities may adjust visitor limits or visiting schedules depending on a patient’s condition.

Hospital administrators, department heads and nursing supervisors will be responsible for monitoring compliance and reporting violations through established administrative channels.

The ministry said the initiative is intended to strike a balance between patients’ medical, psychological and social needs while ensuring hospitals maintain efficient operations and a healing environment conducive to recovery.