Visiting Guidelines

Whether you’re preparing for a hospital stay, or visiting a patient receiving care or to visit staff providing care, knowing where to go and what to bring will help make your visit to Williamson Memorial less stressful. We wish to provide you with helpful information you may need to plan your visit.

Emergency Department

● Two visitors will be allowed with each patient.
● During emergent situations/activities all visitors will remain in the waiting room.
● In special circumstances the nursing staff can modify practice to meet the needs of the patient and family.
● Patient/family will be asked to identify one contact person who will receive all information. This contact person will relay information to the rest of the family or support system.
● Visitors are to wait in the treatment room or waiting room only. Visitors are not allowed to wait in the hallways.

General Medical Floor

Open 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.
● 2 visitors per patient will be allowed at one time, when a roommate is present. Special
arrangements may be possible relocating to single rooms or using waiting rooms for
large gatherings.
● Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult and stay with the adult when
visiting a patient.
● In order to assure patient privacy and the prompt delivery of care, visitors may be asked
to wait in the waiting room.
● Large families are encouraged to designate one or two contact person(s). This person
would then receive all status updates.
● Pediatric patients under the age of 18 must have one parent/guardian remain with them
around the clock.
● Any visitor staying overnight will sleep in the family lounge, on rollaway or recliner in the
patient room. At no time is the visitor to sleep in the second bed if one is in the room.
Visiting hours from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. are only allowed when a special circumstance has occurred
and can be approved by the nurse providing care to the patient. Examples include but not
limited to:
● Critical and end of life changes in patient's condition
● Special needs of patients including safety considerations and 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.

Exceptions to Listed Policy:

● 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 by the 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 in instances of outbreaks such as influenza or Covid-19. This will be at the discretion of the Infection Control Committee/Committee Chair 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/visitors are exhibiting signs/symptoms of communicable disease or have known exposure.

FOR THE SAFETY AND CONSIDERATION OF ALL PATIENTS AND OUR TEAM MEMBERS,
VISITORS ARE TO ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES:
1. Visitors may be subject to screening for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before
entering the hospital.
○ 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
2. Visitors are expected to follow verbal and/or posted instructions; for example, “No
Visitors” and/or “Isolation” signs.
3. Patients under “Isolation/Precautions” may have visitation arranged. The clinician,
patient and support person (visitor) will work collaboratively to determine a schedule.
Two visitors per day will be permitted. Extension of visitation and special consideration
beyond this will be on a case-by-case basis. Nursing will assist with training on required
personal protective equipment (PPE) prior to the visitor entering the patient’s room.
Visitors must wear PPE during the entire visit and stay in the patient’s room or they may
be asked to leave.
○ Visitors of patients under “Isolation/Precautions” will be screened when entering
the building and are not to go to other areas of the hospital including cafeteria,
gift shop, or other patient rooms. They should limit contact with other in the
elevators and lobby areas.
○ Visitors for Isolation patients should be 16 years of age or older to allow proper fit of PPE.
4. If a patient is requesting a visitor/family to stay overnight, efforts will be made to place the patient in a private room if available.
5. Ask visitors to leave the patient’s room during physician and/or provider examination unless the patient has requested the visitor to remain.
○ Visitors are to utilize waiting rooms or waiting areas when patients are in the operating room, testing areas, or receiving treatment.
6. To ensure a quiet environment, instruct to use cellular phones at a minimum and keep the “ringing” volume set to low or vibrate.
7. Direct visitors to use designated public bathrooms outside of the patient’s room.
8. Williamson Memorial does not allow firearms, alcohol, or illegal drugs on the premises. Security can only take possession for safe keeping of those items belonging to patients. Contact security if such items are suspected or found in the possession of a visitor.
○ The hospital and its owned property does reserve the right to search bags, boxes and other containers if the staff believes there is a reasonable suspicion of an item that may cause harm to the patient, staff or facilities.
9. Smoking/vaping is not permitted inside the hospital. Designated off campus smoking areas are available.

Any issues or concerns with visitors shall be referred to the unit director or nurse supervisor.

We will:

● Inform patients and/or their support person* 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 at a time. Length and frequency of visitation depends on the condition of the patient and the level of treatment required.

Visitors agree to:

● Be respectful to staff, patients, other visitors and facility property
● Adhere to hospital policies and procedures which includes but is not limited to:
○ No running, horse play, yelling, cursing
○ No video or photography without expressed permission
○ No weapons or other contraband (see #12 above)

After hours visitation:

Visitors are to obtain an identification sticker from security after hours (8PM to 8AM) located in the emergency room.

When a visitor presents after hours, security will do the following:

1. Explain to the visitor that normal visiting hours are from 8AM to 8PM.
2. If the visitor cannot come back or has extenuating circumstances, (i.e. patient in critical condition, out of state, etc.) have the visitor complete the Visitation Book.
3. Security will gather identification from the visitor and place a phone call to the nursing unit where the patient is located.
4. Security will advise the floor of a potential after hours visitor and will ask for nurse approval.
5. If the patient’s nurse approves the afterhours visit, security will gather and review proper identification from the visitor and issue a visitor pass. Visitor passes are good for the day/or the overnight they are issued
6. If the patient’s nurse does not approve the afterhours visit, security will advise the visitor accordingly and suggest that they return during normal visiting hours.
7. At times, a visitor may want to question the decision made not to allow them access to the building. Those incidents should be reported to the nursing supervisor.

The nursing supervisor has final authority on visitation if it is observed that it is not contributing to the welfare and in the best interest of the patient.

*support person is defined as family member, friend or other individual who supports the patient during his or her hospital stay and may exercise the patient’s visitation rights on his or her behalf.

Parking

ADA parking is designated at the emergency department and front entrance. You may call (304) 235- 2500, the main hospital number prior to your visit if you need valet or any assistance entering the hospital.

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