Red Level: Highly Restricted Visitation
As a reminder, hospital administrators may temporarily tighten visitation restrictions with very short notice, in order to keep our staff and patients safe and healthy.
Visitation Guidelines
In general, there are no visitors permitted with a few exceptions. Please refer to the tabs at the left for specific guidelines based on the patient you're visiting.
All visitors must adhere to the following:
- All visitors are required to wear a mask. If visitors do not have a mask or do not have an appropriate mask, we will provide you with one. Face masks with valves and face masks that are deemed offensive are not permitted at Carilion facilities.
- Visitors will be screened when they arrive. Anyone who is sick may not visit patients in our facilities. If an outpatient surgery visitor fails screening, the surgery may be rescheduled.
- Except for certain situations, no visitors under the age of 18 will be permitted.
- Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Please do not enter the hospital before 9 a.m. or gather outside of entrances. Specific units may establish alternate hours. Speak with your loved one’s care team for special visitation opportunities if you’re unable to visit in person.
- Exceptions require approval and should be routed through the unit/department leadership. Exceptions may be made for:
- Cognitive impairment or physical limitations
- Medical necessity or special assistance as determined by staff
- Discharge education requiring face-to-face at bedside
While visiting a patient, we expect visitors to take the following precautions:
- Proceed directly to the patient room and directly to the exit upon leaving.
- Bring your own food or use the vending machines. Cafeterias are for employees only at this time.
- Remain in patient rooms unless instructed by staff.
- Use the bathroom facilities in the patient room you’re visiting.
- Practice social distancing and remain six feet from patients when possible.
Clergy and religious leaders may visit non-COVID patients and must:
- Visit only during visiting hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Limit the visit to no longer than one hour.
- Wear a mask, pass screening and follow all necessary PPE and social distancing guidelines.
- Understand that these guidelines are subject to change based on community risk level.
- See End of Life Patients section for visitation for COVID positive patients.
COVID-19 Patients
Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 Patients
Adults
- No Visitors except for end-of-life care, medical necessity and patients in labor.
- Must be the same person throughout the duration of the stay except at end of life.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
Pediatrics
- Two parents or guardians may be present; must stay with the patient in their room throughout the patient’s stay.
- Neonatal ICU policies for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 may vary. Please check with your care team’s leadership.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
Immunocompromised Patients
Immunocompromised Patients (as determined by the clinical care team)
- No visitors except for end-of-life care, medical necessity and patients in labor.
- Must be the same person throughout the duration of the stay except at end of life.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
Surgery or Procedure Requiring Sedation or Anesthesia
- One visitor can be with the patient until patient is taken into prep, provided there is enough space for physical distancing.
- Once the patient is taken into the prep area, the visitor may be required to leave until the clinical care team contacts the visitor to join the patient in an inpatient room.
- Once a patient has been admitted for one or more overnight stays, follow the guidelines under the All Other Adult Inpatients section.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
Emergency Department Patients
Emergency Department Patients
For patients in private rooms:
- No visitors unless staff determine special assistance is required.
- Two designated visitors for Pediatric patients in ED.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
Obstetrics/Labor and Delivery Patients
- One visitor will be permitted for labor, delivery and duration of birth parent’s hospital stay; must be same visitor throughout stay.
- One visitor is allowed in the operating room during surgical delivery.
- Doulas are permitted during labor and delivery as long as they meet certain criteria. Patients should speak with their care team or the Unit Director for details.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
Pediatric Patients
- Two designated visitors age 18 (must be members of the family). This applies to inpatient, all surgeries and procedures, and emergency department visits.
- Refer to confirmed or suspected COVID-19 for guidelines.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) Patients
- Two parents/guardians may visit and both be present at the bedside.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
Behavioral Health Patients
- No visitors.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
End of Life Patients
- Up to four visitors at the bedside at the same time; visitors may switch out throughout the day.
- Religious leaders who perform end of life rituals or customs that cannot be conducted by Carilion Chaplains may visit patients for end of life care. This is coordinated by Carilion Chaplaincy Services.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
(This applies to all End of Life Patients, including COVID positive.)
All Other Adult Inpatients
- No visitors.
- Exceptions will be managed at the unit leadership level.
Virtual Connection
How To Stay Connected If You Can't Visit
If you can’t visit in person, you can stay closely connected to your loved ones through virtual means, including Skype, FaceTime and phone.
Virtual visitation liaisons are on hand in certain inpatient units where visitation is not allowed, to arrange video calls with loved ones on behalf of patients when appropriate. If you are interested in virtual visitation, please ask the nursing staff. To minimize exposure, COVID-19 care units have dedicated iPads that are used only in those locations.
Parking
Access to all of our clinical facilities is restricted by closing certain entrances and limiting visitors. Here’s a map showing all entrances that remain open.
Valet parking is limited at this time to help prevent the spread of disease.
Personal Items and Food
Limit on Personal Items and Food
We ask that personal items and food not be dropped off for patients or employees at any of our hospitals or facilities at this time.
Instead of giving personal items and food, the best way to support our health care workers and patients affected by the coronavirus is to contribute to the Carilion Clinic Foundation’s COVID-19 Support Fund. The fund was created in response to our community’s desire to offer support during the pandemic. The Foundation will use the fund to purchase needed supplies, nutritional meals, snacks and more for our staff and patients.
Thank you for your support and for helping us protect our patients and our staff!
