Note: Our visitation guidelines have been updated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.

We understand that family and friends provide crucial support and comfort to patients. We welcome visitors to our hospital. For the comfort and well-being of all our patients, we ask that you observe these guidelines.

If you have flu-like symptoms, please postpone your visit. All visitors will be screened upon entry. If entry screening is positive, visitation will not be permitted.

*Effective Thursday, Dec. 23: Two patient-approved adult caretakers/visitors are allowed at a time on the following floors, stepdown units, and intensive care units:

  • Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)
  • Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
  • Neurocritical Care Unit (NCCU)
  • Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
  • 6 East
  • 7 East
  • 7 West
  • 7 Northeast
  • 8 East
  • 8 West
  • 8 Northeast
  • 8 Southeast
  • 9 East
  • 9 Southeast
  • 9 West
  • 10 East
  • 10 West
  • 10 Southeast
  • Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit (BMTU)
  • Observation Unit

Inpatient visitation

Adult inpatient visitation

  • General inpatient visitation hours are 8 am — 7:30 pm daily.
  • One* patient-approved adult primary caretaker/visitor at a time during designated visitation times. 
  • Patients may indicate two approved adult visitors on visitation list.
  • Visitors must be masked at ALL times and will be screened upon admission to the facility.
  • All inpatient/peri-operative/procedural/diagnostic patient and visitors enter through Ruby main or HVI entrance.
  • Two approved visitors are permitted 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 is permitted at admission and then every five days pursuant to West Virginia House Bill 2368. 
  • Visitors to COVID-19 positive infectious patients and COVID-19 rooms must adhere to the following PPE: 
    • KN95 facemask 
    • Face shield 
    • Gown 
    • Gloves 
    • Exceptions to above with special circumstances will be considered and approved by unit management. 

*Ruby Cafeteria is open to staff only from 10 am – 2 pm. Visitors are not permitted in the Friends Gift Shop or Starbucks at this time.

Please note: 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.

WVU Medicine Children’s

  • WVU Medicine Children’s visitation is permitted 24 hours a day.
  • Pediatric inpatients may have two approved visitors. One visitor is allowed in the patient’s room overnight.
  • Maternal and Infant Care Center inpatients may have one visitor at all times, including overnight.
  • NICU patients may have one visitor at all times, including overnight.
  • WVU Medicine Children’s inpatients who are COVID-19 positive or a COVID-19 Person Under Investigation (PUI) are allowed one approved visitor in room at all times, including overnight.
  • COVID-19 positive and PUI patients allowed two (2) approved visitors in room at a time (only 1 visitor permitted for overnight stays.) Visitors must adhere to the following PPE:
    • Kn95 facemask
    • Face shield
    • Gown
    • Gloves

Other types of visits

Have a pre-op visits, procedure, or a diagnostic test?

  • One (1) approved companion with perioperative/procedural patients may wait in designated waiting area until capacity is reached.
  • When waiting areas are at capacity, alternate waiting areas will be communicated to companions.
  • When all designated waiting areas are at capacity, companions with adult patients will be asked to wait in their vehicle unless the patient requires the visitor to assist with maintaining safety.
  • Two visitors/parents are allowed (as needed) for pediatric outpatient diagnostic visits.

Ambulatory (outpatient) clinic appointments

  • Patients are encouraged to attend their appointments alone.
  • If approved, one visitor may accompany an adult patient to the appointment and remain in the room during the visit.
  • Pediatric patients are allowed two visitors/parents as needed.

Emergency Department (ED) visits

  • One visitor (age 18+) is allowed with each adult ED patient.
  • Two visitors (age 18+) are allowed with each pediatric ED patient.
  • One visitor (over age of 18) with each obstetric patient.
  • Approved visitors will be allowed to stay with the patient in the waiting area as long as social distancing requirements allow.
  • Visitor may accompany patient to and remain in room during ED stay. Visitor must stay in the room. Switching visitors is requires ED leadership or charge nurse approval.

When waiting room reaches a point where social distancing cannot be met (approximately 20 people):

  • Adult ED patients: Visitors with adult patients will be asked to wait in their vehicle unless the patient requires the visitor to assist with maintaining safety (ex: deaf/blind patients, low mental capacity, significant mobility limitations.)
  • Pediatric ED patients: In cases where a pediatric patient has two visitors, one visitor will be asked to wait in their vehicle

Chestnut Ridge Center

  • Visitation is permitted upon admission and by appointment only.
  • Two visitors are allowed both at admission and by scheduled appointment.