MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center have announced plans to reinstitute several of their more stringent visitation guidelines for hospital inpatients and emergency department patients beginning August 19, 2021. These changes have become necessary due to the Delta variant of COVID-19 becoming more prevalent in our region and the increase of symptomatic patients seen in the hospital’s emergency departments and COVID-19 positive hospitalizations realized at both medical facilities.
While visiting hours wlll remain 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., revised general visitation guidelines for inpatients at Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center include:
- One approved adult visitor is allowed per day, per inpatient. Visitors will continue to be screened and must wear a mask at all times.
- COVID-19 positive infectious persons and Person under Investigation (PUI) will be permitted visitors upon admission and then every five (5) days pursuant to WV House Bill 2368.
- Visitors are required to register at the information desk in the main lobby to obtain a visitor pass.
- Visitors must remain in the patient’s room during their entire stay.
- Visitors must exit through the main lobby and return their visitor pass. They will not be allowed to return until the next day.
- Exceptions will be made for life threatening emergencies or sensitive patient care situations.
- Adjusted guidelines apply to the pediatric, obstetrics and NICU units.
- No visitors are permitted on the Behavioral Health Unit.
Updated visitation guidelines for the emergency departments include:
- Patients may be accompanied by one adult. Others are not to enter the facility. The visitor will be screened at the registration desk upon arrival with the patient.
- The approved adult visitor will be asked to return to their vehicle and will be notified once the patient is placed in a treatment room.
- Visitors are required to register, obtain a visitor’s badge, and wear a mask at all times.
“Our ambulatory surgery, outpatient services, physician clinics and urgent care centers will continue to discourage visitors with some exceptions,” said Samantha Richards, Vice President of Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer. “These visitation changes were made after a thorough review of the increased number of COVID-19 cases we are now seeing, and our continued response efforts keeping staff, patients and their families at the forefront of our considerations.”
The visitation guidelines were developed in partnership with leaders across the WVU Medicine system supported by infectious disease specialists and benchmarked best practices.
For more information on COVID-19 and visitor restrictions at WVU Medicine, visit WVUMedicine.org/COVID.