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.
Inpatient visitation
Adult inpatient visitation
- Anyone entering our hospital must wear a mask at all times.
- All visitors must check in with a concierge at the Welcome Desk on the first floor of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital or WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, where they will receive a badge to be worn throughout their visit.
- One adult primary caretaker or alternate may visit adults receiving inpatient care between the hours of noon and 7 pm.
- Please be aware that visitors are not allowed to exit the building and return in same day. If a visitor leaves our facility, they will not be allowed to return the same day.
- One approved visitor may accompany a patient for 30 minutes during admission and discharge.
- Visitors are to stay in the patient’s room for their entire visit. Travel to and from common areas is restricted.*
- No overnight visitation is allowed.
- Please observe the hospital’s tobacco-free policy.
*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, with both visitors allowed in the patient’s room, including 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.
Other types of visits
Have a pre-op visits, procedure, or a diagnostic test?
- One approved visitor may accompany a patient to registration and the waiting area before a scheduled procedure (if space allows for social distancing.) The visitor must leave the building until the procedure is complete.
- No visitors are allowed for adult outpatient diagnostic visits.
- 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.
- The visitor may stay with the patient in the waiting room (if space allows for social distancing.)
- Visitors may accompany patient to the room and remain there during the ED stay. Switching out of visitors is discouraged.
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