With the best interests of our patients and workforce in mind, Columbus Regional Health has decided to further expand visitor options for people receiving inpatient and outpatient services on the hospital campus. 

Each inpatient or person receiving an outpatient service at the hospital will be allowed up to two designated visitors or support persons per day. Safety remains a top priority as the COVID-19 pandemic continues; therefore the increase in visitor options will be incorporated with continued strict safety protocols and guidelines, including symptom screening and mask requirements. 

The following guidelines apply to all visitors: 

• The person must be age 14 or older, and pass temperature and symptom screening. 
  
• Visitors must wear a mask; cloth masks are acceptable.
  
• Screening staff will provide a sticker to be worn at all times that identifies the person as a visitor who has passed screening criteria. 
  
• Visitors will be supplied an information sheet with instructions for the visit.
  

For Birthing Center patients, the visitation policy includes the following modifications:

• Two support persons over age 18, such as a spouse, partner, sibling, or another person chosen by the patient (e.g. a Doula) may be allowed while the mother is in labor and delivery only.
  
• One support person may be with the mother throughout her stay. 
  
• Postpartum, in addition to having one support person throughout her stay, the mother may have one visitor, age 18 or older, per day between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m.
• Two individuals may be designated to visit pediatric patients in the Level II nursery – only one support person may visit at a time each day. 

At this time, visitation is not allowed in the Mental Health Unit, or for COVID-positive patients, with the exception of end-of-life circumstances. 

Restricted entrances to the hospital facility remain in place. Visitors to the inpatient units should enter via Entrance 3. Emergency Department visitors should enter via Entrance 1. Visitors for outpatient and surgical services patients would use Entrances 2, 3 or 4, depending on the procedure location. For more information visit crh.org/virus