The health and safety of our patients, families, team members, and physicians are always our highest priority. We also recognize how important it is for patients to have support during their hospital stay and welcome care partners and visitors.
We have implemented general guidelines for visiting hospitalized patients (inpatient visitation) and special guidelines for some specific locations as indicated below*.
Inpatient Visitation - Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus and Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus
-
Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
-
A temporary visitation policy restricts guests under the age of 16 from visiting anyone in the hospital.*
-
Don’t enter our facilities if you’re sick or if you have been exposed to someone who is, unless you’re a patient seeking care.
-
Patients may receive a maximum of two visitors at the same time during visiting hours. This includes the care partner and one other visitor. The visitors, including the care partner, can switch out.
-
All patients will be allowed one designated care partner with 24/7 access to visit.
-
All care partners and visitors are required to check in at the front desk—all visitors must show ID and receive a visitor badge. They must keep their visitor badge on at all times and must check out at the front desk before leaving.
-
Always follow the guidance posted outside the patient’s room if the patient is on isolation precautions.
-
Please wash your hands or sanitize before entering and when leaving a patient’s room.
Critical Care and Intensive Care Units (ICU)
-
All visitors must be age 18 or older.
Women’s Services
-
During active labor, patients will be allowed two care partners with 24/7 access to visit. Otherwise, one designated care partner with 24/7 access is allowed.
-
A second care partner, such as a doula, is permitted.
-
Care partners can be changed as needed to ensure the patient has a support person present.
-
Two hours after delivery, siblings are welcome to visit with adult supervision from 5 - 8 p.m.
Pediatrics
-
All patients will be allowed to have a designated care partner or both parents with 24/7 access to visit.
Cancer Care
-
Patients receiving infusions in Medical Oncology will be limited to one visitor.
Emergency Departments
(Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus; Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus; Bayhealth Emergency Center, Smyrna and Bayhealth Emergency and Urgent Care Center, Total Care - Milton)
-
All patients will be allowed two visitors in the patient care area with 24/7 access to visit.
Same-Day Procedure and Testing Waiting Areas
-
All patients will be allowed two visitors in the waiting areas for testing and same-day procedures, such as surgery, endoscopy, catheterization (cath lab), and diagnostic imaging, for the entirety of the test or procedure.
-
Visitation with the patient will be determined by the perioperative team.
Outpatient locations and medical practices
-
All patients will be allowed to have two visitors during appointments.
*Please be aware that visitation is always at the discretion of Bayhealth and the patient care team. We may need to limit or restrict visitors to protect the health, privacy and safety of a patient. Unit leadership may approve exceptions to age, hours and number of visitors during special circumstances such as end-of-life. If you have any questions or special requests, please discuss them with the patient’s care team prior to visiting.