Northeast Georgia Health System continues to adapt to best practices regarding COVID-19. For the protection of our patients, staff and community, our visitation guidelines have been updated. We understand that it is difficult to be away from family especially during times of illness or injury and we appreciate your support.
Masking Notice:
Effective January 3, masks are required for employees, physicians and volunteers and recommended for patients and visitors.
Hospital & Facility Visitation Guidelines
Guidelines last updated on 8/30/2022
Please scroll left and right to view the table below.
|
Location |
Visitor Policy |
Waiting Room |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Care | NO CHILDREN UNDER 16 ARE PERMITTED TO VISIT PATIENTS. Non-COVID Patients: Two visitors (16 or older) at a time, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. COVID Positive/PUI Patients: One visitor (16 or older) during COVID+ visitation hours from 3-5 p.m. Visitation outside designated time is allowed by exception only. Visitors are required to wear appropriate PPE (mask, face shield, gloves and isolation gown). | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) | Non-COVID Patients: Two designated band holders may visit their neonate (unrestricted). COVID-19 Positive/PUI Patients: After meeting visitation criteria, 10 days from positive COVID test and symptom free at least 24 hours or more, two designated band holders may visit their neonate. (Ask NICU staff for more information.) Any band holder who is or becomes COVID-19 positive/PUI, may not visit the NICU under any circumstances. If both band holders are COVID-19 positive/PUI, then an identified designated visitor may visit. | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Pediatric Patients (under 18) regardless of inpatient unit | Two designated caregivers for the entire length of stay. | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Labor and Delivery | Non-COVID Labor Patients: One identified caregiver and one additional visitor. The visitor may switch in/out. No more than two per room at a time. No caregiver/visitor under 16 years of age. Triage/L&D OR/PACU: One identified caregiver 16 years of age or older. COVID-19 Positive/PUI Patients: One designated caregiver for the length of stay. No visitors under 16 years of age. | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Mother/Baby | Non-COVID Patients: Banded individual in addition to mother for length of stay. Visitors (two per room, 16 years of age or older) may visit daily and switch in/out from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Newborn’s siblings must be accompanied by an adult. *Banded individual and siblings are excluded from visitor total. COVID-19 Positive/PUI Patients: One designated caregiver for the length of stay. No visitors under 16 years of age. | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Long-term expectant mothers | Non-COVID Patients: One designated caregiver for the length of stay. Visitors (two per room, 16 years of age or older) may visit daily and switch in/out from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Mother’s other children must be accompanied by an adult. * Banded individual and siblings are excluded from visitor total. COVID-19 Positive/PUI Patients: One designated caregiver for the length of stay. No visitors under 16 years of age. | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Surgery and Procedures | Two visitors in the waiting room. No visitors under 16 years of age. | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Emergency Department and G Area | Non-COVID Patients: One visitor (16 years or older) at the bedside. COVID Positive/PUI Patients: One visitor (16 years or older) at the bedside. Visitors are required to wear appropriate PPE (mask, face shield, gloves and isolation gowns). | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| All others (including medical, surgical, EOU, COU and cardiac) | Non-COVID Patients: Two visitors (16 or older) at a time, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. COVID Positive/PUI Patients: One visitor (16 or older) during COVID+ visitation hours from 3-5 p.m. Visitation outside designated time is allowed by exception only. Visitors are required to wear appropriate PPE (mask, face shield, gloves and isolation gown). | Open – Social distance when possible. |
|
Inpatient Rehabilitation | Two designated visitors/caregivers (16 or older) daily from 4 p.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Friday and Noon–9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for length of stay. Two designated visitors (16 or older) during assigned family education/discharge planning sessions. | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Hospice | Non-COVID Patients: Two visitors (16 or older) at a time. Exceptions can be made depending on patient and family situation. COVID Positive/PUI Patients: Two visitors (16 or older) at a time. Visitors are required to wear appropriate PPE (mask, face shield, gloves and isolation gown). | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Imaging Centers | No visitors. | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) | Non-COVID Patients: One visitor (16 or older) is allowed. Exceptions can be made depending on the patient’s situation. COVID Positive/PUI Patients: No visitors. However, exceptions can be made depending on the patient’s situation. Click here to view visitation guidelines for NGPG practice locations. | Open – Social distance when possible. |
| Georgia Heart Institute | Non-COVID Patients: One visitor (16 or older) is allowed. COVID Positive/PUI Patients: No visitors. However, exceptions can be made depending on the patient’s situation. | Open – Social distance when possible. |
Your loved one’s health and safety is our top priority. For information regarding connecting with your family, and other helpful resources, click here. We also encourage everyone to do their part to prevent the spread of illness by practicing good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and by disinfecting surfaces.
Patients with disabilities may designate one support person to accompany them throughout their visit or stay at any NGHS facility.
Learn what NGHS is doing to address COVID-19 »
Open Entrances
NGMC Gainesville
| Entrance | Hours |
|---|---|
| North Patient Tower | 24/7 |
| South Patient Tower | M-F 5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat-Sun 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
| Outpatient Building | M-F 5:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Emergency Department | 24/7 |
| Wisteria Building | M-F 6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
NGMC Braselton
| Entrance | Hours |
|---|---|
| Main/Rotunda | 5:00 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
| Emergency Department | 24/7 |
NGMC Barrow
| Entrance | Hours |
|---|---|
| Main Entrance | M-F 5:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| Emergency Department | 24/7 |
NGMC Lumpkin
| Entrance | Hours |
|---|---|
| Main Entrance | 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
| Emergency Department | 24/7 |
Laurelwood
| Entrance | Hours |
|---|---|
| Main Entrance | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
New Horizons Lanier Park
| Entrance | Hours |
|---|---|
| Main Entrance |
|
New Horizons Limestone
| Entrance | Hours |
|---|---|
| Main Entrance |
|
All other entrances will be closed until further notice.