Patients & Visitors
Visitor Guidelines
Visitors must conduct a self check screening process which includes reviewing questions about symptoms and risk factors before entering the hospital. If a visitor has symptoms of COVID, or has tested positive, they should not enter the facility. Masks are required to be worn at all times while in the hospital. Masks are available, as well as hand sanitizer.
On weekends, access into the building is restricted through the emergency department only.
Visitation is allowed with the following restrictions:
- A limit of two (2) visitors per patient at any one time for non-COVID patients in the medical and intensive care units
- A limit of one (1) visitor per patient at any one time for non-COVID patients in the emergency, outpatient services, and surgery departments
- Visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times and by entry, agree to being free of COVID symptoms/exposure
- Visitors must remain in the patient’s room during their visit (except if dining in the cafeteria)
- Public waiting areas for inpatient units will remain closed
- Pediatric patients may have two (2) parents or legal guardians with them
- Exceptions to visitation will be considered by the patient’s physician and administration/nursing director/supervisor on a case by case basis
Care team members are asked to practice infection prevention:
- Sanitize your hands when entering the hospital and when entering or exiting patient rooms.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue; dispose of used tissues in the trash.
- Sanitize your hands after coughing or sneezing.
If you would like to drop off a card, gift or other message of encouragement, we are happy to deliver those to patients. You may also call a patient’s room so they can hear your voice and you can hear how they are doing. The hospital has free Wi-Fi, so you may visit patients using Facetime or another video communication app.
We appreciate your patience, understanding and compliance. With your help we can maintain a safe environment for all our patients and staff during this time of uncertainty.
At Merit Health Madison, we understand that coming to the hospital as a patient or as a loved one's support person can be a difficult, often overwhelming experience. Whether you’re preparing for a hospital stay or stopping by to see friends and family, knowing where to go and what to bring will help make your visit less stressful. To make your experience easier, we want to provide you with helpful information you may need to plan your visit, such as what to expect, parking instructions, transportation and more.