DR Jennifer - As for hospitals and children. I think it's just up to each hospital, each unit, and ultimately the parents. I do have to say, I was a little wary of walking my nieces and nephews through some "open hallways" where they could peer into other patient's room, but they seemed to have not noticed anything out of the ordinary. As for germs, there are Purel stations in every room, by every elevator and in every bathroom - at least at Henrico Doctors.