CURRENT visitation POLICY
At Atlantic General Hospital & Health System
Current Visitor Hours:
- Patient Visitation is permitted at any time, with quiet time observed from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- 2 visitors at a time are permitted in patient rooms.
- Waiting rooms are now open.
- Cafeteria is open to patients, staff and visitors.
Access to the Building
- Front Lobby entrance of the hospital is open 5:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week.
- Please use the Emergency Department entrance after these hours to visit patients or pick up discharged patients.
Visits by Children: If under the age of 12, permission for visitation is at the discretion of the charge nurse and PCS. Children may visit patients provided they are supervised by an adult at all times and in good health. Families are encouraged to check with the patient’s primary caregiver before bringing children to visit a hospitalized patient. Children should not visit at all if they have a runny nose, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, rash, or fever.
Additionally, please note:
- Do not visit if you have a fever or any symptoms of COVID-19.
- Wash hands and use hand sanitizer often, especially upon entry or exit from the patient’s room.
- Respect the inpatient care area's dedicated “Quiet Time” between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., to allow our patients the ability to rest to promote optimal healing and recovery.
Access to the Building
Front Lobby Entrance
Doors open 5:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week
Emergency Department Entrance
Doors open 24 hours, 7 days a week
COVID-19 Isolation Patient Visitation
The health and safety of our patients, visitors, and our community remain the top priority at Atlantic General Hospital. In order to safely open visitation for COVID-19 positive patients, clear guidelines must be followed. Any visitor not following these guidelines will be asked to leave for your safety, as well as the safety of our patients, visitors, and community.
General COVID-19 Isolation Guidelines (Effective October 27, 2023)
1. Designated visitors will stop at the nurses’ station prior to entering the patient room for visitation for appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Once in the patient room, visitors will use the call light to let staff know when they are ready to leave. A clinical associate will be sent to assist you with PPE removal.
2. Visitors must keep PPE on the entire time. If any of the equipment is removed before leaving the patient room, the visit will be ended. Visitors may not eat or drink in the patient’s room.
3. Hand hygiene is required upon entry and exit from the patient room.
4. Two designated visitors, over the age of 18 years, per patient for the duration of the hospital stay (Denoted in the patient Electronic Health Record).
5. Visitation is limited to 2 hours daily.
6. Exceptions to the above may ONLY be made for end of life visitation.
a. Death is imminent, as determined by the patient’s doctor.
b. Prior to withdrawal of life support whenever possible.
*In order to protect their own health, immunocompromised individuals and those receiving chemotherapy or steroid treatment are encouraged to hold off on visiting COVID positive patients until isolation is removed.