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.
  • 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.

The following guidelines are observed (when applicable) at the following WVU Medicine hospitals:

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

  • 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.

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.