Visitor Guidelines for Patient Care Partners During COVID-19

Greater Baltimore Medical Center has reevaluated its Modified Visitation Policy. This policy provides details for the visitation of both inpatients and outpatients at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. This policy applies to the Hospital, its physicians and clinical staff members, and all other medical and ancillary departmental personnel involved in the decision-making process with respect to patient visitation. If a visitor does not follow hospital protocols, they may not be allowed to visit.

View Notice – Support Persons for Individuals with Disabilities

Effective: 11/10/2022

For All Visitors: Masks covering nose and mouth must be worn at all times, including in patient rooms, even if the visitor is fully vaccinated

Inpatient Adults

• Visiting hours for inpatient adults are between 9am and 8pm.
• Two adult visitors are permitted. In the circumstance of end-of-life care or decision making for a COVID-positive patient, two or more visitors may be allowed at a time with pre-approval.
• No visitors under the age of 18 are allowed in adult inpatient areas (including in waiting rooms and other public areas).
• Hospital employees, not involved in the care of the patient, who would like to visit must follow current visitor guidelines/restrictions. 
• One visitor to accompany a patient with disability, as defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
• Patients who are not suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 may receive religious services from clergy of their choice at any reasonable time if it can be provided without disruption to care. 

Emergency Department Adults

• No visitors under the age of 18 are allowed in Emergency Department areas (including in waiting rooms and other public areas), unless they are the parent of a child being treated.
• Hospital employees, not involved in the care of the patient, who would like to visit must follow current visitor guidelines/restrictions. 
• One visitor to accompany a patient with disability, as defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
• One visitor will be allowed to remain with the patient during their stay in the Emergency Department, as long as capacity allows per Baltimore County fire codes.
• One visitor at a time may accompany patient to assigned room and remain at the bedside of the patient.

Maternal Child and Pediatrics

• Visiting hours are not restricted
• One adult visitor may be in the triage room.
• Two adult visitors (support coach/significant other) may be in the birthing room, operating room, and PACU area. The visitors must be documented in the EMR and must remain the same for the patient's length of stay.
• One adult visitor during the outpatient surgical procedures.
• Two adult visitors for the Postpartum Unit (Unit 26). The visitors must be documented in the EMR and must remain the same for the patient's length of stay.
• Maternal Child visitors must present an acceptable form of photo ID to receive a visitor sticker.
• If a visitor does not pass the screening process or does not follow hospital protocols, they will not be allowed to visit.
• Visitors must be at least 18 years of age, unless they are the parent of a newborn.
• Patients who are not suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 may receive religious services from clergy of their choice at any reasonable time if it can be provided without disruption to care.
• Two adults are allowed to accompany each pediatric patient, one of whom must be a guardian or parent, except in certain specific circumstances (DSS, Social Worker, Correctional or Support Staff). The two adult visitors identified must remain the same during the pediatric patient’s visit.

Surgery and Procedure Areas

• One designated visitor may accompany the patient to the registration area regardless of visiting hours.
• The visitor can wait in the designated waiting area until they receive a call from us with updates or patient pick up time. Seating may be limited in the designated waiting area, so we offer the following alternatives for your comfort:
• Return home or wait at an off-site location (restaurant, mall, store, etc.)
• Park and wait on GBMC’s Farmhouse Hill surface lot. No fees will be charged for this location.
• Park and wait in any GBMC garage to be under cover from the weather. Please note, parking fees do apply.
• Visitors shall agree to abide by all hospital and infection control regulations
• One visitor is permitted in the pre-op or PACU area.
• Two parents/guardians will be allowed into the hospital with the pediatric patient under 12 years of age. The parents/guardians will be screened at a visitor station upon arrival to GBMC. If the parents/guardians screens positive, they will not be allowed to proceed until speaking with surgeon. They will not be allowed in the surgical area.
• For patients who are admitted post-surgery outside of the approved hospital visitation hours, the primary visitor will be permitted to visit the patient on the inpatient unit for a period of no more than 1 hour.