Visiting Hours

Visiting Guidelines

Whether you’re preparing for a hospital stay or visiting a patient or staff, knowing where to go and what to bring can help make your trip to the new Williamson Memorial less stressful.

Emergency Department

  • Two visitors will be allowed with each patient.
  • Visitors remain in the waiting room during emergency situations. In special circumstances the nursing staff can modify practice to meet the needs of the patient and family.
  • Patients and family are asked to identify one contact person to receive all information and relay it to remaining family and loved ones.
  • Visitors wait in treatment or waiting rooms, not hallways.

General Medical Floor

 

Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m

  • Visiting may be restricted by request of the healthcare team, should visitation interfere with the patient's progress.
  • Two visitors per patient are permitted at one time when a roommate is present. Special arrangements may be made during relocation to single rooms or in the use of waiting rooms for large gatherings.
  • Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult when visiting a patient.
  • To assure patient privacy and prompt care, visitors may be asked to remain in the waiting room.
  • Large families are encouraged to designate one or two contact people. This person would then receive and relay all status updates.
  • Patients younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian around the clock.
  • Visitors staying overnight will sleep in the family lounge or on a rollaway or recliner in the patient room. Visitors are not permitted to sleep in hospital beds.
  • Visits after hours from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. are only permitted in special circumstances and when approved by nurses providing care. Examples include:
    • Critical changes in a patient's condition
    • Considerations for patient’s safety or developmental needs
    • Appointments for family to meet with the physician providing care
  • Infectious diseases can delay a patient's recovery. Active surveillance by the nursing staff is required to ensure visitors are free from obvious signs of contagion such as cough, cold or open wounds.

Policy Exceptions

  • We reserve the right to temporarily amend visiting hours and guidelines due to community threat or illness.
  • Visitors may be restricted by expressed request of the patient or physician, nursing supervisor or nurse in charge of the unit when visiting may interfere with patient care or unit activities.
  • Physician order
  • Visitation may be restricted during outbreaks like influenza or Covid-19. This will be at the discretion of the Infection Control Committee or by order of the Bureau of Public Health.
  • Visitors with obvious respiratory illness or other communicable disease will be asked not to visit until symptoms subside.
  • Visitation policy will be modified if family or visitors exhibit signs or symptoms of communicable disease or have known exposure.

FOR THE SAFETY AND CONSIDERATION OF ALL PATIENTS AND STAFF, VISITORS ARE TO ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES:

  • Visitors may be subject to screening for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before entering the hospital.
    • Visitors with obvious respiratory illness or other communicable disease will be asked not to visit until symptoms subside.
    • Visitors should not come to the hospital if they have a cold, sore throat, fever, cough or other transmissible illness.
    • All visitors are required to self-screen for Covid-19 upon entry to the hospital
  • Visitors are expected to follow verbal and posted instructions such as “No Visitors” or “Isolation” signs.
  • Patients under isolation or precautions may have visitation arranged. The clinician, patient and visitor will work collaboratively to determine a schedule. Two visitors per day will be permitted. Extension of visitation and special consideration will be on a case-by-case basis. Nursing will assist with training on required personal protective equipment (PPE) before the visitor enters the patient’s room. Visitors must wear PPE during the entire visit and remain in the patient’s room.
    • Visitors to patients under isolation or precautions will be screened when entering the building and are prohibited from other areas of the hospital such as the cafeteria, gift shop, or other patient rooms. Visitors should limit contact with others in the elevators and lobby areas.
    • Visitors to patients in isolation should be 16 or older to allow proper fit of PPE.
  • Efforts will be made to place in private rooms patients who request visitors to stay overnight.
  • Visitors are asked to leave the patient’s room during examinations unless the patient has requested that the visitor remain.
    • Visitors should use waiting areas when patients are in the operating room, testing areas or receiving treatment.
  • To ensure a quiet environment, visitors should limit use of cellphones and set ringing volumes to low or vibrate.
  • Visitors should use designated public bathrooms outside the patient’s rooms.
  • Firearms, alcohol and illegal drugs all are prohibited. Contact security if such items are suspected or found in the possession of a visitor.
    • Security or staff may search bags, boxes or other containers if there is reasonable suspicion of an item that might cause harm.
  • Neither smoking nor vaping is permitted inside the hospital. Off-campus smoking areas are available.

Concerns about visitors shall be referred to the unit director or nurse supervisor.

We will:

 

  • Inform patients and their support team of the right to receive or refuse visitors.
  • Not restrict or limit visiting privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
  • Limit number of visitors to two per patient. Length and frequency of visitation depends on the patient’s condition and the level of treatment required.

Visitors agree to:

 

  • Be respectful to staff, patients, other visitors and the facility.
  • Be respectful to staff, patients, other visitors and facility property
  • Adhere to hospital policies and procedures which include:
    • No running, horse play, yelling or cursing
    • No video or photography without expressed permission
    • No weapons or other contraband

After hours visitation:

Visitors must obtain an identification sticker from security in the emergency room for after-hours visitation (8 p.m. to 8 a.m.).

When a visitor arrives after hours, security will:

  • Explain that visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Direct visitors with extenuating circumstances, (i.e. patient in critical condition, out of state, etc.) to complete the Visitation Book.
  • Gather identification from the visitor and place a phone call to the nursing unit where the patient is located.
  • Seek the approval of the patient’s nurse for an after-hours visitor.
  • Gather and review proper identification and issue a visitor pass, provided the nurse approves. Visitor passes are good only for that day or overnight.
  • Advise the visitor accordingly and suggest a visit during normal visiting hours, if a request for an after-hours visit is rejected.
  • Report to nursing supervisor cases when visitors want to appeal the denial of an after-hours visit request.

The nursing supervisor is the final authority on visitation questions.

*Support people are defined as relatives, friends or others who support patients during hospital stays.

Parking

ADA parking is designated at the emergency department and front entrance. You may call (304) 235- 2500 before visiting if you need valet or assistance entering the hospital.

Visitor parking is in front of the hospital. Please use the Main Entrance for non-emergency visits from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.