Wellstar Health System’s Enhanced Visitor Guidelines
At Wellstar Health System, your health and safety are our top priorities. That’s why we have made important enhancements to our visitation policy in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to current COVID-19 concerns, in most cases, visitors are not being admitted. Each facility can make exceptions, as deemed appropriate.
At this time, visitors are not permitted at any Wellstar hospital or medical center, including:
- Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center
- Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center-South
- Wellstar Cobb Hospital
- Wellstar Douglas Hospital
- Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
- Wellstar North Fulton Hospital
- Wellstar Paulding Hospital
- Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital
- Wellstar Sylvan Grove Hospital
- Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
- Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital:
- Visitation is limited to non-COVID-19 patients between the hours of 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
For more specific information, please contact your local Wellstar hospital.
In General, Wellstar Health System
- Screens all visitors for symptoms.
- Ensures all visitors wear a mask throughout their stay.
- Strongly discourages visitors over the age of 65 and visitors with chronic conditions such as lung or heart disease since they have a higher risk of complications from COVID-19.
- Does not allow children under 18.
- Encourages the use of videoconferencing to help patients stay connected virtually.
Please Be Aware
- Patients will be limited to one designated visitor for their entire hospital stay, including discharge.
- Visiting hours will be limited to 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily.
- Visitors must wear the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) for the duration of the stay, including a mask.
- Visitors must remain in the patient’s room throughout their stay.
- Inpatient nursing staff will provide at least daily updates to the family member or support person.
Special Circumstances
- After-hours visitors who fall into the Empathy-First Exceptions will be asked to follow the procedure for entering the facility. Please see below for more details about Wellstar’s Empathy-First Exceptions.
- Overnight stays will be permitted.
- Persons Under Investigation (PUI) or confirmed COVID-19 patients will be allowed to have visitors, in special cases such as end-of-life or obstetrics.
Special Needs & Accommodations
Exceptions to the visitor policy may be made for patients with compassionate care needs or developmental or cognitive impairments.
Empathy-First Exceptions
Obstetrics
Obstetric patients may have one support person and a certified birth coach or Doula for labor and delivery.
- Must be the same designated visitor throughout the patient’s stay.
- Overnight stay exceptions may be granted for OB patients.
- The partner of the baby may be admitted as a support person, even if under 18.
Pediatrics
Pediatric patients (age 0-18 years) may have two designated visitors, such as parents.
- Must be the same designated visitors throughout the patient stay.
- Overnight stay exceptions may be granted for pediatric patients.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Babies may have both parents for a total of two visitors throughout their stay.
End of Life
Patients admitted for end-of-life evaluation and treatment, or patients being evaluated for and/or receiving hospice care, including PUIs, suspected COVID-19 and COVID-19 positive patients, may have two visitors at a time.
- End-of-life is defined as anticipated death with an active do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order in place and/or planned withdrawal of life-sustaining interventions (e.g., ventilator).
- Clergy are considered visitors and will be allowed for end-of-life situations.
- One clergy member will be allowed in addition to the two designated visitors.
Outpatient Surgery and Procedures
Patients undergoing outpatient surgery or procedures may have one designated visitor who will be permitted to assist with the arrival and registration process if needed.
- Visitor may wait in a designated area during surgery.
- Post-procedure, this individual will be allowed to come into the facility for discharge planning and education.
Outpatient Appointments
Patients may have one adult visitor if they need physical assistance for an appointment or support for cognitive or behavioral impairments (including, but not limited to, Power of Attorney). Visitor may wait in a designated area during surgery.
Inpatient Surgery
Patients undergoing inpatient surgery, or being admitted to the hospital, may have one designated visitor who will be permitted to assist with the arrival and registration process if needed.
- Visitor may wait in a designated area during surgery.
- One designated visitor will be allowed to visit for the duration of the hospital stay.
Emergency Department
Patients entering the ED may have one designated visitor/caregiver with them once they are roomed.
Exceptions include:
Patients with disruptive behavior, behavioral health, altered mental status, developmental delays, are minors and/or need assistance, or safety concerns in which a family member is key to their care may accompany the patient throughout the entire ED visit.
When the patient is roomed:
- Visitors must follow screening procedures, and wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), including a mask.
- Must remain in the room throughout the encounter.
If the patient has to wait in the lobby:
- Family members will be asked to wait in their car or a hospital designated area.
- Visitors will be asked to leave their cell numbers with staff.
- Visitors and/or caregivers will be kept informed through telephone and virtual communications.
- Visitors will be able to join the patient once they are escorted to an ED room.
As Wellstar continues to keep Georgia safe during this difficult time, we remain dedicated to providing the best and safest care possible to the loved ones in our care.
Based on COVID-19 volume, visitation policies may vary by location and region. For more specific information, please contact your local Wellstar hospital.