Piedmont Walton Visitor Information

Care Partner Policy (Updated December 4, 2024)

A Care Partner may be a relative, partner, friend or anyone (over age 18) that the patient chooses to have at their side during care. A Care Partner takes an active role in caring for their loved one in the hospital.

We encourage you to use digital resources to connect with your loved ones in the hospital and to assist them in their care. Below are free resources that are available to use.

Our focus remains on the safety of our patients and staff. The number of care partners allowed in a patient’s room is subject to change depending on their care needs. Some departments have limitations to visiting hours and/or the number of support persons allowed per patient:

• Adult patients are allowed two visitors at a time.
• ICU patients are allowed visitors. Two visitors at a time will be permitted in a patient's room. A supervisor or management must approve overnight visitors.
• Pediatric patients are permitted one parent or guardian to remain with them 24/7. Patients may have one additional visitor during visiting hours.
• Labor & Delivery/Family Care patients are permitted ONE identified support person to remain 24/7.
• Outpatient service patients are permitted one visitor per visit unless an exception is made – this must be communicated to registration.
• Emergency Department:
  • Limit of two (2) visitors for ED patients in treatment rooms.
  • Limit of one (1) visitor for ED patients in the hallway, triage, or other common area treatment stations.
  • Visitors of patients arriving by EMS will be asked to remain in the waiting room while the patient is being admitted to a room.
• Patients are encouraged to use electronic means of visitation, such as video call applications on cell phones or tablets.
• Care partners with exposure to known or suspected COVID-19 patients should be advised to report any signs or symptoms of acute illness to their healthcare provider for a period of at least 14 days after the last known exposure to the sick patient.

Visiting Hours and Guidelines

We welcome care partners daily with the following exceptions:

• Intensive Care Unit - Please check with staff. Overnight care partners are not permitted in the intensive care rooms unless approved by a hospital manager or supervisor.
• Maternity - No children under the age of 12 are permitted except siblings of newborns.
• Please do not visit if you have experienced a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, skin rash, vomiting, or diarrhea in the last 48 hours.
• Care partners must sign in at the front desk and wear an ID sticker while in the hospital. Visitors under the age of 16 have to be with a parent or responsible adult.
• Please do not bring food to patients without physician approval

No Patient Left Alone Act

During the 2024 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed the No Patient Left Alone Act, which was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on May 6, 2024, and made effective on July 1, 2024. This legislation establishes visitation rights for individuals admitted to hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Read the No Patient Left Alone Act