Visitation During COVID-19 at MWHC Facilities

The following visitation guidelines apply to Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) facilities.

At MWHC, we believe that the support from loved ones is important to our patients’ healing. As we continue to carefully open services, we are also carefully and thoughtfully loosening our visitor restrictions—always with a lens of keeping our patients, visitors, and staff safe.

Visitation Guidelines

One visitor is permitted per day for any non-COVID inpatient, emergency department patient, or outpatient during visiting hours. Details and exceptions are outlined below*. If the patient has already received a visitor that day, please return the next day or consider contacting your loved one over the phone or with a virtual visit on JitsiMeet.

Jitsi Meet Patient and Family Instructions

Jitsi Meet en español

No visitation is allowed for a patient being tested or suspected for COVID-19 or has a positive COVID-19 test result unless under compassionate care guidelines.

Visiting hours are from 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. daily*. Visitors are asked to limit their visits to non-COVID patients to under two hours. Please avoid frequently entering and exiting the facility to minimize corridor traffic. Visitors must stay in the patient’s room during their visit and may not accompany the patient to tests or procedures outside of the patient room*.

There are limited food options for visitors while in the hospital. If you or the patient orders outside food to be delivered, the person placing the order must coordinate directly with the restaurant to pick up and receive the food at the main entrance. The individual making the delivery will not be permitted beyond the entry checkpoint. Security and staff cannot receive the food and deliver to the room. You can remove your mask to eat. If a provider or other staff member enters the room, you must reapply your mask.

Arriving at an MWHC Facility

All visitors are required to comply with our safety checkpoint procedures. If you cannot comply with the following safety measures, you cannot have an in-person visit in the facility.

You will be asked screening questions.
You will have your temperature taken with an infrared thermometer.
You will be given a visitor badge to wear while in the building.
You will limit the items you bring from home.

During Your Stay

All visitors are required to comply with our safety standards during their entire stay in our facility. If you cannot comply with the following safety standards, you cannot have an in-person visit in the facility.

You must wear a mask fully covering your nose and mouth.
You must always practice social distancing.
You must practice good handwashing.
You must follow the directions of the staff and adhere to all visitor policy rules.

*Visitation Details and Exceptions

Use the dropdown menus below to see specific details and exceptions for each of the following visitation categories. In addition to general visitors, some patients may also have designated caregivers. However, the number of persons in the room cannot exceed one or two based on the patient category outlined below.

To view and print these instructions in a PDF format, please click here.

Pediatric Hospital Inpatient and Emergency Departments

Pediatric Patient Visitation Details and Exceptions

Pediatric patients can have up to two parents or legal guardians as designated caregivers who remain with them in their treatment room.
The designated caregivers can remain with the patient in their treatment room for the entirety of their stay.
The designated caregivers may be instructed to leave the room during a procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.
The designated caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.
The designated caregivers must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.
In addition to the designated caregivers, pediatric patients may have one general visitor a day. However, only two visitors (caregiver or general visitor) can be in the room at a time.

COVID-19 Pediatric Patient Visitation Details and Exceptions

Pediatric patients being tested or suspected for COVID-19 or have a positive COVID-19 test result may have up to two parents or legal guardians as designated caregivers who remain with them in their treatment room.
The designated caregivers can remain with the patient in their treatment room for the entirety of their stay.
The designated caregivers may be instructed to leave the room during a procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.
The designated caregivers must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
- Sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
- Wear personal protective equipment including a gown, gloves, face shield, and level 1 mask always while in the patients’ treatment room.
- Review infection prevention education with the nursing staff prior to entering the patient’s treatment room.
The designated caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.
The designated caregivers must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.
Only designated caregivers or clergy may visit a suspected or positive COVID-19 patient. General visitation is not allowed.

Labor and Delivery

Obstetrics Patients Visitation Details and Exceptions

Obstetrics (laboring and postpartum) patients can have up to two support persons as designated caregivers who remain with them in their treatment room.
The designated caregivers can remain with the patient in their treatment room for the entirety of their stay.
The designated caregivers may be instructed to leave the room during a procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.
The designated caregivers must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.
The designated caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.
In addition to the designated caregivers, obstetric patients may have one general visitor a day. However, only two visitors (caregiver or general visitor) can be in the room at a time.

COVID-19 Obstetrics Patient Visitation Details and Exceptions

Obstetrics (laboring and postpartum) patients being tested or suspected for COVID-19 or have a positive COVID-19 test result may have up to two support persons as designated caregivers who remain with them in their treatment room.
The designated caregivers can remain with the patient in their treatment room for the entirety of their stay.
The designated caregivers may be instructed to leave the room during a procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.
The designated caregivers must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
- Sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
- Wear personal protective equipment including a gown, gloves, face shield, and level 1 mask always while in the patient's treatment room.
- Review infection prevention education with the nursing staff prior to entering the patient’s treatment room.
The designated caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.
The designated caregivers must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.
Only designated caregivers or clergy may visit a suspected or positive COVID-19 patient. General visitation is not allowed.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

NICU Visitation Details and Exceptions

NICU patients can have up to two parents or legal guardians as designated caregivers. Only one designated caregiver at a time can be with the patient in their treatment room.
The designated caregivers can remain with the patient in their treatment room for the entirety of their stay. Only one designated caregiver at a time can be in the treatment room.
The designated caregivers may be instructed to leave the room during a procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.
The designated caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.
The designated caregivers must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.
Only designated caregivers or clergy may visit NICU patients. General visitation is not allowed.

COVID-19 NICU Visitation Details and Exceptions

NICU patients being tested or suspected for COVID-19 or have a positive COVID-19 test result may have up to two parents or legal guardians as designated caregivers. Only one designated caregiver at a time can be with the patient in their treatment room.
The designated caregivers can remain with the patient in their treatment room for the entirety of their stay. Only one designated caregiver at a time can be in the treatment room.
The designated caregivers may be instructed to leave the room during a procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.
The designated caregivers must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
- Sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
- Wear personal protective equipment including a gown, gloves, face shield, and level 1 mask always while in the patients’ treatment room.
- Review infection prevention education with the nursing staff prior to entering the patient’s treatment room.
The designated caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.
The designated caregivers must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.
Only designated caregivers or clergy may visit a suspected or positive COVID-19 patient. General visitation is not allowed.

Outpatient Facilities

Pre-Procedural and Post-Procedural Visitation Details and Exceptions

Patients who are scheduled for the following procedures may have one visitor during their pre-procedure or post-procedure time.
- Operating Room: same day surgery, endoscopy, inpatient admissions post operation
- Cardiac: catheterization laboratory, electrophysiology laboratory, catheterization holding
- Imaging: interventional radiology
Once the patient is taken to the procedure room, our staff will inform visitors if they can wait in the waiting area or if they will need to depart the facility.
The patient’s visitor will be notified when the procedure is complete.
Visitation is still restricted for the following procedures and locations due to social distancing constraints and patient safety.
- Imaging: non-interventional radiology (bone density, MRI, CT, nuclear medicine, ultrasound)
- Cardiac: echocardiography, stress testing
- Mary Washington Medical Group practices
- Medical Laboratories
- Snowden at Fredericksburg
- Urgent Care
Patients with a disability requiring a caregiver may have the designated caregiver accompany the patient to their appointment. The designated caregiver may be asked to wait outside the facility during the patient’s appointment to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Pediatric patients may always have one parent or legal guardian accompany them. The parent or legal guardian may be instructed to leave the room during a procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.

All visitors must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.

Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with Disabilities Visitation Details and Exceptions

Individuals with disabilities can have up to two designated support persons or guardians. Only one designated caregiver at a time can be with the patient in their treatment room.
The designated support persons or guardians can remain with the patient in their treatment room for the entirety of their stay. Only one designated caregiver at a time can be in the treatment room.
The designated support persons or guardians may be instructed to leave the room during a procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.
The designated support persons or guardians will have access to a restroom, food, and water in a manner consistent with infection control measures.
The designated support persons or guardians will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.
The designated support persons or guardians must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.
In addition to the designated support persons or guardians, patients with disabilities may have one general visitor a day. However, only one visitor (caregiver or general visitor) can be in the room at a time.

COVID-19 Individuals with Disabilities Visitation Details and Exceptions

Individuals with disabilities being tested or suspected for COVID-19 or have a positive COVID-19 test result may have up to two designated support persons or guardians. Only one designated caregiver can remain with the patient in their treatment room.
The designated support persons or guardians can remain with the patient in their treatment room for the entirety of their stay. Only one designated caregiver at a time can be in the treatment room.
The designated support persons or guardians may be instructed to leave the room during a procedure or test for their own safety or the safety of the patient and staff.
The designated support persons or guardians must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
- Sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
- Wear personal protective equipment including a gown, gloves, face shield, and level 1 mask always while in the patients’ treatment room.
- Review infection prevention education with the nursing staff prior to entering the patient’s treatment room.
The designated support persons or guardians will have access to a restroom, food, and water in a manner consistent with infection control measures.
The designated support persons or guardians will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.
The designated support persons or guardians must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.
Only designated support persons or guardians or clergy may visit a suspected or positive COVID-19 patient. General visitation is not allowed.

Compassionate Care and End-of-Life Visitation

Compassionate care is defined as a visit in the best interest of the emotional well-being of the patient or their recovery. Compassionate care visitation need is determined by the clinical team caring for the patient. Please communicate with the care team to discuss compassionate care or end-of-life visitation options for your loved one.

Compassionate Care Visitation Details and Exceptions

Patients identified for compassionate care visitation may have up to two visitors at the bedside each day during visiting hours.
The clinical team caring for the patient will reasonably determine the number of visitors and duration of the visit.
The compassionate care visitors must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.

COVID-19 Compassionate Care Visitation Details and Exceptions

Patients being tested or suspected for COVID-19 or have a positive COVID-19 test result and identified for compassionate care visitation may have up to two visitors at the bedside each day during visitation hours.
The number of visitors and duration of the visit is determined by the clinical team caring for the patient.
Compassionate care visitors must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
- Sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
- Wear personal protective equipment including a gown, gloves, face shield, and level 1 mask always while in the patients’ treatment room.
- Review infection prevention education with the nursing staff prior to entering the patient’s treatment room.
- Refrain from touching the patient during the visit and remain only for the pre-determined visit duration.
Clinical staff will monitor the duration of the visit to reduce the amount of exposure to the visitors.
If a visitor fails to comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines, the visitor must self-quarantine for 14 days and cannot return for another visit (only to seek care) to any MWHC facility during that time.
The compassionate care visitors must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.

End-of-Life Visitation

End-of-life visitation occurs 24-hours a day but is limited in duration.
The number of visitors and duration of the end-of-life visit is determined by the clinical care team caring for the patient.
The end-of-life visitors must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.

COVID-19 End-of-Life Visitation

Patients being tested or suspected for COVID-19 or have a positive COVID-19 test result and identified for end-of-life visitation may have up to two visitors.
The number of visitors and duration of the end-of-life visit is determined by the clinical care team caring for the patient.
End-of-life visitors must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
- Sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
- Wear personal protective equipment including a gown, gloves, face shield, and level 1 mask always while in the patient's treatment room.
- Review infection prevention education with the nursing staff prior to entering the patient’s treatment room.
- Refrain from touching the patient during the visit and remain only for the pre-determined visit duration.
Clinical staff will monitor the duration of the visit to reduce the amount of exposure to the visitors.
If a visitor fails to comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines, the visitor must self-quarantine for 14 days and cannot return for another visit (only to seek care) to any MWHC facility during that time.
The end-of-life visitors must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in an MWHC facility.

Clergy Visitation

Members of the clergy can visit inpatient and surgical patients in MWHC facilities. Clergy visits are in addition to caregiver, general, or compassionate care visitors. MWHC offers infection prevention training for clergy.

Contact pastoral care at 540.741.1654 to schedule a visit with a patient or to schedule infection prevention training.

Non-Emergency, Non-COVID Clergy Visitation

Clergy who wish to visit with an inpatient or surgical patient must contact the MWHC pastoral care department to coordinate time, date, duration, and escort.
Clergy must comply with MWHC visiting hours and safety standards.

Non-Emergency COVID Clergy Visitation

Clergy who wish to visit with a patient being tested or suspected for COVID-19 or has a positive COVID-19 test result must contact the MWHC pastoral care department to coordinate infection prevention training and the visit time, date, duration, and escort.
Clergy must comply with MWHC visiting hours and safety standards.
Clergy must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
- Sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
- Wear personal protective equipment including a gown, gloves, face shield, and N95 mask always while in the patients’ treatment room.
- The clinical team caring for the patient will monitor the visit and reasonably determine the duration of the visit.

Emergency, Non-COVID Clergy Visitation

Clergy arriving at the hospital for emergency visitation must check-in at the safety checkpoint at the main entrance or emergency entrance.
The on-call chaplain will escort the visiting clergy while in the facility. If a chaplain is not available, security will escort the visiting clergy while in the facility.

Emergency, COVID Clergy Visitation

If the emergency clergy visitation is for a suspected or positive COVID patient, the clergy must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
- Sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
- Wear personal protective equipment including a gown, gloves, face shield, and level 1 mask always while in the patient's treatment room.
Clinical staff will monitor the duration of the visit to reduce the amount of exposure to the clergy visitor.
If the clergy visitor has not received prior infection prevention training, the visiting clergy must self-quarantine for 14 days and cannot return for another visit (only to seek care) to any MWHC facility during that time.
The clergy member will be offered infection prevention training following the quarantine period.