Visitor Information

At Southwest General, the health and safety of our patients, caregivers and visitors remains our top priority. Please review the following Visitor Guidelines before coming to see a patient on our Main Campus.

Visiting Hours

We encourage visitors for emotional support and recovery. We have a 24-hour visitation policy, but to minimize disruption to patient care, preferred visitation times are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. No more than two visitors are recommended in patient rooms in order to provide an atmosphere of rest and privacy.

The following units have restricted visiting hours as follows:

• Cosgrove Maternity Center
  11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Critical Care Units
  11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit
  Visiting hours are by appointment only. Call 440-816-8295 to schedule.
• Oakview Behavioral Health Services
  Visiting hours are by appointment only. Call 440-816-5755 to schedule.

Visitor Restrictions

• Do not visit or accompany a patient if you are sick, have a fever, have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 20 days, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
• Patients under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult other than the patient.
• Visitors to COVID-19 positive patients must be aged 18 or older.
• Do not bring latex balloons to the hospital.
• A visitor’s badge is required for all visitors who come to the hospital between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Visitors can check in and get their visitor’s badge at:
  - Southwest General Police Department (Building D entrance)
  - Building E lobby (first floor)
  - ER waiting room (first floor, Building E)

Cosgrove Maternity Center

During the cold and flu season, we see an increase in respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, flu and RSV. These viruses are very harmful to our fragile newborn patients.

To protect our fragile infants from exposure to illness, the following precautions will be in effect starting Dec. 1, 2023:

• Special Care Nursery
  No siblings or other visitors unless they are over the age of 18
• Postpartum Unit
  For normal newborns, no visitors under the age of 18 unless they are a sibling of the newborn

We understand that these restrictions may be difficult for your family, but they are out of concern for the health of your newborn. We do encourage virtual visits such as FaceTime on your personal device. Additionally, our staff can help set up a Zoom visit on a Cosgrove Maternity Center iPad at a time that is convenient for your family.

Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit

All visitors must be over the age of 18. Only two visitors per patient at any one time. All visits take place in the conference room.

Oakview Behavioral Health Services

All visitors must be over the age of 18. Only two visitors per patient at any one time.

Masking

Patients, visitors and staff at Southwest General are no longer required to wear masks in patient care areas throughout the organization. Wearing a mask is optional at this time with the following exceptions:

Masks will still be required for infection prevention in the following situations:

• Patients with respiratory symptoms while in waiting rooms
• Anyone entering the room of a patient on isolation precautions for which a mask is required. Additionally, visitors to patients who are COVID-19 positive must follow all additional safety guidelines specified by the patient care unit.
• Staff members who are returning to work after a respiratory illness. Employee Occupational Health Services will provide guidance on individual situations as needed.

All patients, visitors and staff are asked to follow the above guidelines and to be respectful of others who choose to wear a mask while in our facilities.

Visiting hours and restrictions are subject to change based on Southwest General requirements and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For additional information, call Patient Information at 440-816-8946.

*For details about visitor restrictions due to COVID-19 visit our COVID-19 Page.