Current Visitation Guidelines

Updated July 1, 2024

Please read our visitation guidelines below.

Guideline Statements:

1. Each patient or representative, where appropriate, has the right, subject to his or her consent, to receive visitors he or she designates, including, but not limited to, spouse, domestic partner (including same sex domestic partner), another family member, member of clergy, chaplain, minister, faith leader, or friend. The patient or representative has the right to withdraw or deny consent at any time.
2. Each patient may have a family member, friend, or other individual present for emotional support during the course of the patient’s stay, unless the individual’s presence infringes on others’ rights, safety, or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated. In addition, individuals with disabilities have the right to be accompanied by a support person in specific situations. The right to a support person is separate from the right to visitors.
3. Visitation privileges are not restricted, limited, or otherwise denied based on race, color, ethnicity, culture, language, creed, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, gender identity/expression, or socioeconomic status.
4. Exceptions to this guideline may occur based on a senior leadership decision or during a declared public health and civil preparedness emergency throughout the State or due to a natural disaster. During exceptions, visitation guidelines will follow state/federal regulatory guidelines and will be available for reference.

The following guidelines are applicable to all Covenant Health acute-care hospitals.

1. Visitors may be in the patient’s room on the inpatient units of the hospital, according to patient preference.
2. In specialty areas such as the Emergency Department, Critical Care Unit, Surgery Department and Obstetrics Unit, typically no more than two visitors may be allowed at a time, per patient, based on circumstances.
3. Any visitor under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult (not the patient) who is responsible for the child’s supervision. Children under the age of twelve (12) years may not be left unattended at any time in patient rooms or anywhere on hospital property and may not stay overnight in patient rooms.
4. Overnight stays by one family member or significant other may be permitted.
5. For patients under the age of 18, one parent or adult should stay with pediatric patients.
6. Visitors may be asked to refrain from visiting patients if they have a cold, cough, fever or other communicable illness. The facility reserves the right to restrict visitation at any time if the individual’s presence infringes on other’s rights, safety or is medical or therapeutically contraindicated.