Press releases

Novant Health UVA Health System amends visitation guidelines for acute care facilities

Updated August 25, 2021

Screening criteria

• All visitors to Novant Health UVA Health System acute care facilities must be free of COVID-19 symptoms.
• Visitors are required to mask while inside Novant Health UVA Health System facilities.
• Visitors not meeting screening requirements are NOT allowed to enter Novant Health UVA Health System facilities, unless they meet one of the exceptions.
• Patients who are known COVID-19 positive patients or persons under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 may NOT have visitors, unless they meet one of the exceptions.​

Exceptions:

• Minors or adults requiring guardianship can be accompanied by two (2) designated adults.
• Laboring mothers can designate two (2) healthy adult individuals to support them for the entirety of their stay
• In accordance with HB2162 legislation, a patient who is a person with a disability has the right to identify a “designated support person” to accompany the patient during an admission. If care lasts longer than 24 hours, the patient may designate more than one designated support person.
• Nursing supervisors may grant visitation for end-of-life or other special circumstances.

General visitor guidelines

• Visitors should remain with the patient, or in the designated area mentioned below while in the facility.
• Cafeterias are open to visitors during operating hours for “grab-and-go” service. Cafeteria seating remains closed to visitors at this time.
• Waiting rooms are closed to visitors at this time. 

Department-specific guidelines

Emergency Department

• Emergency Department (ED) patients may have one (1) designated visitor accompany them during their time in the ED. Pediatric patients are permitted two (2) parents/guardians.
• Designated visitors must be 18 or older and must remain with the patient at bedside while the patient remains in the ED.

Inpatient (obstetrics only)

• Laboring mothers can designate two (2) healthy adult individuals to support them during their stay.
• Visiting hour restrictions do not apply to these visitors.

Inpatient (non-obstetrics)

• Admitted patients may have two (2) visitors to accompany them during visiting hours.
• Visiting hours for Novant Health UVA Health System inpatient patient care areas are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
• Designated visitors must be 18 or older and must remain with the patient at bedside.

Behavioral Health Inpatient

• Inpatient behavioral health patients may have one (1) visitor at a time accompany them during visiting hours (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

Surgical and procedural areas

• Surgical patients may have one (1) designated visitor accompany them on the day of surgery.
• Designated visitors must be 18 or older and must remain with the patient at bedside until the patient is taken into surgery.
• When the patient is taken into surgery, the visitor should remain in the patient’s room (if inpatient) or return to their vehicle (if outpatient) until notified that the patient is in recovery.

Outpatient areas (including imaging, clinics, and other ambulatory care areas)

• Adult patients in outpatient areas may have one (1) visitor accompany them as needed for support. Pediatric patients may be accompanied by two (2) adults.