Limited Visitors Allowed At Virtua Hospitals Amid Pandemic

After hospital visits were restricted statewide due to the coronavirus pandemic, Virtua Health shared its updated guidelines for hospital visitors with Patch this week.

"For the health and safety of Virtua patients and their families, as well as staff and the communities we serve, general visitation is currently limited to one visitor for each patient, and it must be the same visitor throughout the patient’s stay," officials said. "That visitor’s name will be documented in the patient’s record and only that visitor can visit for the entire time of admission. In some cases, a second approved visitor will be documented and permitted to visit."

Visitors must be 18 years old or older, and will be limited to a two-hour visit. They must sanitize hands and complete a screening tool for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival.

A mask will be required at all times while in the hospital, including a patient’s room. Anyone coughing or showing other signs of illness will be kindly asked to leave and visit remotely.

Visitors are now also permitted access to the hospital cafeteria, gift shop, and coffee shop. Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the following exceptions apply:

Pediatric Patients
Two parents/guardians can visit pediatric patients 24/7.

Surgery or Medical Procedure
When possible, one visitor may accompany the patient into the facility. The visitor must depart when the patient is taken into the prep area. Please coordinate with the care team in advance.

Patient Discharge
One visitor may enter the facility upon a patient’s discharge to receive discharge instructions and caregiver education. Please coordinate with the patient’s care team.

Patients with Disabilities
Patients with disabilities, such as sensory impairment or developmental/cognitive disability, may have one visitor at any time.

High-Risk Obstetrics
One support person may accompany patients admitted for induction of labor or scheduled C-section.

Labor and Delivery / Mother-Baby
One support person may accompany the laboring woman; must be the same person throughout hospital stay. A doula is considered part of the patient’s care team.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Special Care Nursery
Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for two approved visitors (mother and designated support person/care partner).

Emergency Department
One visitor is permitted to be with the patient in the treatment area (regardless of time of day). Due to the changing needs of the emergency department and to preserve social distancing and privacy, visitation may be modified at any time by the emergency department staff.

Hospital Patients in Isolation
Visitation is not permitted for patients who are positive for COVID-19 or under investigation for COVID-19.