Visitation During COVID-19

The following visitation guidelines apply to Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) facilities as of Tuesday, April 5.

Out of respect for the safety of our patients and care team, we expect all visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

All visitors must remain masked while in our facilities. Noncompliance with the mask requirement will lead to removal from the facility. If you do not have a mask, you will be given a disposable mask upon arrival. If you are wearing a cloth mask, we highly recommend you wear the disposable mask under your cloth mask for the best protection.

You can dial a patient's room directly using the numbers below. Press 1 at the prompt, then enter the patient's room number.
Mary Washington Hospital patients: 540.741.1101
Stafford Hospital patients: 540.741.9001

Visitation Guidelines

Regular inpatients are permitted four (4) visitors at a time, during regular visiting hours, with no age restriction. Visiting hours are 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Details and exceptions are outlined below*. Other friends and family members may consider contacting their loved one over the phone or with a virtual visit on JitsiMeet.

Patients with airborne precautions (COVID-19) are permitted two (2) visitors at a time. Visitors must follow infection prevention precautions and must be over the age of 18. They must adhere to the following protocols:

• Check in at the security desk upon arrival.
• Wear a MWHC-provided procedural mask at all times, including while in the patient’s room.
• Follow all other isolation precautions as indicated by MWHC staff.
• Do not eat or drink while in patient rooms or in waiting areas.
• Use hand sanitizer before entering the patient’s room and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer upon leaving the room.
• Remain in the patient's room during the entire visit.
• Leave the building after your visit; do not walk the hallways or stay in the waiting areas.

Please note this visitation policy does not apply to Snowden at Fredericksburg.

Jitsi Meet Patient and Family Instructions

Jitsi Meet en español

Share access to your MyChart record with family or friends

Comparta con sus familiares y/o amigos el acceso a su historial médico en MyChart

Arriving at an MWHC Facility

All visitors are required to comply with our safety checkpoint procedures. If you are a household member of a COVID-19 positive patient or suspected positive patient, you are not eligible for visitation. If you cannot comply with the following safety measures, you cannot have an in-person visit in the facility.

1. You will be asked screening questions.
   1. Have you had any of these symptoms in the last 7 days: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat?
   2. Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days?
   3. Have you had contact with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days?
2. You will be given a visitor badge to wear while in the building.

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.

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

*Visitation Details and Exceptions

See specific details and exceptions for each of the following visitation categories below. Some patients may have designated caregivers who can remain with them 24/7.

Emergency Department

• Emergency Department visitation is 24/7. Visitation may be limited or restricted at the discretion of ED leadership for the safety of our patients and visitors.

Pediatric Hospital Inpatient and Emergency Departments

• Pediatric patients can have up to two parents or legal guardians as designated caregivers 24/7. Patients with designated caregivers may also have four (4) visitors at a time, with no age restriction, but only four (4) visitors/caregivers may be in the facility at a time.
• 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 an MWHC facility.

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. Patients with designated caregivers may also have two (2) visitors over the age of 18 at a time, but only two (2) visitors/caregivers may be in the facility at a time.
• 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 and visitors must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
  • Check in at the security desk upon arrival.
  • Wear a MWHC-provided procedural mask at all times, including while in the patient’s room.
  • Follow all other isolation precautions as indicated by MWHC staff.
  • Do not eat or drink while in patient rooms or in waiting areas.
  • Use hand sanitizer before entering the patient’s room and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer upon leaving the room.
  • Remain in the patient's room during the entire visit.
  • Leave the building after your visit; do not walk the hallways or stay in the waiting areas.
• The designated caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.

Labor and Delivery

Obstetrics Patients Visitation Details and Exceptions

• Obstetrics (laboring and postpartum) patients can have two designated caregivers who remain with them in their treatment room for the entirety of their stay. In addition, a certified doula may be in the room through labor and delivery. Patients with designated caregivers may also have four (4) visitors at a time, with no age restriction, but only four (4) visitors/caregivers may be in the facility at a time.
• 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.

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 two designated caregivers who remain with them in their treatment room. Patients with designated caregivers may also have two (2) visitors over the age of 18 at a time but only two (2) visitors/caregivers may be in the facility at a time.
• 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 and visitors must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
  • Leave the building after your visit; do not walk the hallways or stay in the waiting areas.
    Remain in the patient's room during the entire visit.
  • Use hand sanitizer before entering the patient’s room and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer upon leaving the room.
  • Do not eat or drink while in patient rooms or in waiting areas.
  • Follow all other isolation precautions as indicated by MWHC staff.
  • Wear a MWHC-provided procedural mask at all times, including while in the patient’s room.
  • Check in at the security desk upon arrival.
• The designated caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.

NICU

NICU Visitation Details and Exceptions

• Level II NICU patients at Stafford Hospital and Level III NICU patients at Mary Washington Hospital can have up to two (2) parents or legal guardians in their treatment room as space allows at the discretion of the clinical team. General visitors are not allowed in the NICU.

Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with Disabilities Visitation Details and Exceptions

• Individuals with disabilities can have up to two designated caregivers who can remain with the patient 24/7 in their treatment room for the entirety of their stay. Patients with designated caregivers may also have four (4) visitors at a time, with no age restriction, but only four (4) visitors/caregivers may be in the facility at a time.
• The 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 caregivers will have access to a restroom, food, and water in a manner consistent with infection control measures.
• The caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.
  The caregivers must comply with MWHC visitation safety standards while in a MWHC facility.

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 two designated caregivers who can remain with the patient for the entirety of their stay. Patients with designated caregivers may also have two (2) visitors over the age of 18 at a time, but only two (2) visitors/caregivers may be in the facility at a time.
• The 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 caregivers and visitors must comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines for visitation:
  • Leave the building after your visit; do not walk the hallways or stay in the waiting areas.
    Remain in the patient's room during the entire visit.
  • Use hand sanitizer before entering the patient’s room and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer upon leaving the room.
  • Do not eat or drink while in patient rooms or in waiting areas.
  • Follow all other isolation precautions as indicated by MWHC staff.
  • Wear a MWHC-provided procedural mask at all times, including while in the patient’s room.
  • Check in at the security desk upon arrival.
• The caregivers will have access to a restroom, food, and water in a manner consistent with infection control measures.
• The caregivers will be provided a visitor pass each day at the safety checkpoint entrance.

Clergy Visitation

Members of the clergy can visit inpatient and surgical patients in MWHC facilities.

Clergy visiting patients with airborne precautions must follow infection prevention protocols during their visit, listed below. MWHC offers infection prevention training for clergy.

• Check in at the security desk upon arrival.
• Wear a MWHC-provided procedural mask at all times, including while in the patient’s room.
• Follow all other isolation precautions as indicated by MWHC staff.
• Do not eat or drink while in patient rooms or in waiting areas.
• Use hand sanitizer before entering the patient’s room and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer upon leaving the room.
• Remain in the patient's room during the entire visit.
• Leave the building after your visit; do not walk the hallways or stay in the waiting areas.

Contact pastoral care at 540.741.1654 for questions.

All Other Departments and Offices

For all other departments and offices, such as laboratories and medical group practices, support persons may accompany the patient to their appointment. Visitors and patients may be instructed to wait outside the facility when space does not allow for social distancing.