Visitation Guidelines – J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital

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

Adult inpatient visits

Two patient-approved adult primary caretakers/visitors are permitted at a time on the following floors, stepdown units, and intensive care units during designated times:

  • Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit (BMTU)
  • Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)
  • Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
  • Neurocritical Care Unit (NCCU)
  • Observation Unit
  • Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
  • 5 East Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
  • 6 East
  • 6 Southeast
  • 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

More details

  • General inpatient visitation hours are 8 am – 7:30 pm daily.
  • All visitors must provide an acceptable form of ID (e.g., valid US driver’s license or US ID card; other state photo ID card issued by the State Division of Motor Vehicles or equivalent; government-issued passport or Green Card; US military ID card).
  • Two approved visitors are permitted for 60 minutes at time of admission and discharge if not within designated visiting hours.
  • One overnight visitor is allowed.
  • Visitors who are exhibiting respiratory symptoms – including, but not limited to, fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and shortness of breath – must wear a mask.

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.


Other types of visits

Pre-op visits, procedures, and diagnostic tests

  • One 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 (e.g., deaf/blind patients, low mental capacity, significant mobility limitations).
  • Two visitors/parents are allowed (as needed) for pediatric outpatient diagnostic visits.

Ambulatory (outpatient) clinic appointments

  • 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) is allowed 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. Visitors are encouraged to stay in the room.
  • Masks are encouraged but not required.

When waiting room reaches a point where social distancing cannot be met:

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

Healthy Minds visits

  • Two visitors are allowed to assist with the inpatient admission process.
  • Two visitors are allowed by appointment only.