Due to COVID-19, special visitation guidelines are in effect at all WVU Medicine facilities. Individual hospitals may have additional guidelines in place, due to variation in services offered and regional COVID-19 infections.*

  • All visitors must wear a mask at all times and will be screened upon entering the facility. Review PPE requirements for patients and visitors.
  • If screening is positive, visitation is not permitted.
  • Approved visitors for inpatient locations will be confirmed at the Welcome Desk.
  • COVID-19-positive patients and COVID-19 persons under investigation (PUIs): Visitation permitted at admission and then every five days pursuant to West Virginia House Bill 2368.
  • All visitors will receive a visitor-specific ID badge to reflect the level of visitation access.
  • Visitors are to stay in the room at all times and not travel to common areas.

*Exceptions to visitation will be made based on patient condition and on a case-by-case basis by the department leader and/or house supervisor. Exceptions include but are not limited to deaf/blind patients, low mental capacity, significant mobility limitations, critical conversations (goals of care), and end of life.

J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital and WVU Medicine Children’s visitation guidelines are reviewed regularly and change as needed.

 

 

The following guidelines are observed (when applicable) at the following WVU Medicine hospitals. (Visitation policies for hospitals not listed below can be found at the bottom of this page):

Adult Inpatient Units

  • Two patient-approved adult primary caretakers/visitors at a time during designated visitation times.
  • Patients may indicate as many approved adult visitors as they desire.
  • Visitors/caretakers are allowed to the exit building and return in same day.
  • Two approved visitors for 60 minutes at time of admission and discharge if not within designated visiting hours.
  • No overnight visitation allowed.
  • COVID-19 positive infectious patients and COVID-19 persons under investigation (PUI): visitation permitted at admission and then every five days pursuant to West Virginia House Bill 2368.
  • Exceptions to above with special circumstances will be considered and approved by unit management.

Pediatric Inpatient Units

  • Visitation is 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Two approved visitors with two allowed at a time in patient’s room for pediatric inpatients.
  • Patients may indicate as many approved adult visitors as they desire.
  • Visitors/caretakers are allowed to the exit building and return in same day.
  • Two approved visitors overnight for pediatric inpatients.
  • COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 PUI allowed two approved visitors in room at all times, including overnight, for pediatric inpatients.
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit allowed two approved visitors at all times, including overnight.

Obstetric Inpatient Units

  • Visitation is 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Two approved visitors at all times, including overnight.
  • Patients may indicate as many approved adult visitors as they desire.
  • Visitors/caretakers are allowed to exit the building and return in same day.

Peri-Operative/Procedural Registration/Diagnostics 

  • Adult: One approved visitor with patient for registration and waiting area prior to procedure (if space allows for physical distancing).
  • Pediatric: Allowed two visitors per patient.
  • Obstetric: Allowed two visitors per patient.

Outpatient Appointments

  • Adult: One visitor may accompany patient to and remain in room during visit.
  • Pediatric: Patients are allowed two visitors.
  • Obstetric: Allowed two visitors per patient.

Emergency Department (**please see Ruby-specific guidance below)

  • Adult: One approved visitor (over age of 18) with each adult patient arrival to ED.
  • Pediatric: Two approved visitors (over age of 18) with each pediatric patient.
  • Obstetric: Two approved visitors (over age of 18) with each obstetric patient.
  • Visitor may accompany patient to and remain in room during ED stay with switching out discouraged.
  • Approved visitors will be allowed to stay with the patient in the waiting room as long as physical distancing requirements allow.
  • When waiting room reaches a point where physical distancing cannot be met, the following will occur:
    • Adult Patients: Visitors with adult patients will be asked to wait outside or in their vehicle unless the patient requires the visitor to assist with maintaining safety (examples: deaf/blind patients, low mental capacity, significant mobility limitations).
    • Pediatric Patients: In cases where a pediatric patient has two visitors, one visitor will be asked to wait outside or in their vehicle.
    • Obstetric Patients: In cases where an obstetric patient has two visitors, one visitor will be asked to wait outside or in their vehicle.

**J.W. Ruby Memorial Emergency Department only:

  • Adult Patients: Visitors with adult patients will be asked to wait outside or in their vehicle unless the patient requires the visitor to assist with maintaining safety (examples: deaf/blind patients, low mental capacity, significant mobility limitations.)
  • Pediatric Patients: Two approved visitors (over age of 18) with each pediatric patient.
  • Obstetric Patients: One approved visitor (over age of 18) with each obstetric patient.
  • Visitor may accompany patient to and remain in room during ED stay. Switching is highly discouraged and requires ED leadership or charge nurse approval
  • Approved visitors will be allowed to stay with the patient in the waiting room as long as physical distancing requirements allow. Visitors will be required to stay in the patient room at all times. Switching of visitors is highly discouraged.
  • When waiting room reaches a point where physical distancing cannot be met, the following will occur:
    • Pediatric Patients: In cases where a pediatric patient has two visitors, one visitor will be asked to wait outside or in their vehicle.
    • Adults without decision making capacity or special needs may have one (1) visitor. All other adult visitors will need to wait in the vehicle or outside.

End-of-Life Circumstances

  • Additional accommodations will be coordinated to support family presence during end-of-life circumstances as warranted pursuant to West Virginia House Bill 2368.

*Visitation policies at WVU Medicine hospitals may vary by location. Current exceptions include:

Please refer to these individual policies for visitation guidance.