Wyoming Valley Health Care System strives to promote interaction with our patients and their friends, families or significant others. Our visiting hours are intended to maximize the time available for visitors while ensuring adequate periods of rest and privacy for all our patients.

Visiting hours at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital vary by Patient Care Area. If you're unsure about visiting hours, please ask a staff member at the nursing station of the Patient Care Area you're visiting.

PATIENT CARE	VISITING HOURS
MEDICAL SURGICAL	11 AM to 8 PM
CRITICAL CARE UNITS (CCU, MICU, SICU, CTICU)	11 AM to 11:30 AM 1 PM to 1:30 PM 5 PM to 5:30 PM 7 PM to 7:30 PM
CARDIAC STEPDOWN UNIT (2W)	11 AM to 1:30 PM 5 PM to 7:30 PM
PEDIATRICS	11 AM - 8 PM. No children under 14 years of age are permitted to visit pediatrics. All visitors are required to sign in at the Nurse's Station before entering the pediatric department. One (1) parent is permitted to remain with a child overnight. A chair bed will be provided to the parent who is staying with the child. The other parent is welcome to stay in the waiting room near the center elevators.
OBSTETRICS/POSTPARTUM	Visiting hours for OB patients are 11 AM - 8 PM. An adult must accompany siblings of the newborn while they are visiting in the hospital. Children MUST leave at 8 PM when visiting hours are over. No children are permitted to stay overnight.
BIRTHING SUITE	Unlimited for up to three (3) designated support persons.
SPECIAL CARE NURSERY	Newborns in the Special Care Nursery may have either parent visit at any time, provided the infant is not undergoing specialized procedures. Two visitors are allowed at the bedside. Grandparents may visit for 15 minutes provided they are accompanied by one of the infant's parents.
OPERATING ROOM	Parents or guardians may remain in the holding room with children under 18-years-old until the child is taken to the OR. This is limited to a maximum of two (2) persons per patient. Visitors for patients over 18-years-old may only accompany patients to the OR suite.
DETOXIFICATION UNIT	Visiting is prohibited.
POST-ANESTHESIA CARE UNIT	Visiting is prohibited except at the discretion of the PACU Charge Nurse.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT	One (1) visitor per patient is permitted. Visitors must remain at bedside and must comply with ER staff direction.
TRANSITIONAL CARE UNIT	Family and friends: Unlimited
SHORT PROCEDURE UNIT	Visitors are restricted to immediate family or person(s) accompanying the patient. No more than two (2) visitors are allowed at the bedside. No children are permitted to visit in these units.

All visitors arriving at the hospital after 8 PM must report to the Emergency Department registration desk. They will be registered and receive a Visitor's Pass before proceeding to any patient care area.

Children under the age of 12 are discouraged from visiting patients except for those in Obstetrics/Postpartum or Pediatrics or with special permission. Children must be accompanied by an adult and must remain on the unit they are visiting.

Members of the Clergy are permitted to visit at any time. Clergy members must identify themselves to the nursing staff, and are expected to follow the direction of nursing staff during emergency or special situations.

Visitors in the Medical/Surgical Units are limited to three (3) visitors per patient bedside. In the Critical Care Units (CCU, SICU, CTICU), 2W & Pediatrics, visitors are limited to no more than two (2) visitors per patient at the bedside.

The hospital reserves the right to limit visiting hours and/or restrict visitors when it is in the best interest of the patient or when special circumstances (e.g. community-wide epidemic or emergencies) dictate.

A patient and/or family member or significant other(s) may request to limit visiting hours and/or restrict visitors.