Visitor Guidance

Visiting hours

Visiting hours at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) are 10 am to 8 pm daily.

If you need assistance accessing our facilities, please approach the main hospital entrance and push the emergency service button. This button is available for all urgent and non-urgent mobility assistance needs.

Masks

Masks are optional for patients, visitors, and staff at SVMC. If you have respiratory symptoms, please wear a mask to help limit the spread of respiratory viruses and bacteria. Masks can be provided by hospital staff, upon request.

Departmental visitor restrictions

The numbers of visitors allowed varies by department and the age and condition of the patient.

  • Two visitors allowed at a time to adult inpatients, including those using the Emergency Department, East and West Wings, and the ICU.
  • Adult outpatients—including all patients visiting practices in the Medical Office Building, the Operating Room, Endoscopy, Medical Infusion, Imaging, and Lab—may have one visitor with them. This includes prenatal patients.
  • Pediatric patients—both inpatients and outpatients, regardless of area—may have up to two visitors per day.
  • Adult patients birthing with Women’s and Children’s Services may have two birth partners plus two visitors at a time.
  • Patients at the end of life may have six visitors, who must remain in the patient room at all times. COVID-positive patients at the end of life may have up to two visitors at a time.
  • When visiting inpatient units, minors 12 and older are counted as a visitor. Minors under 12 will need approval by the clinical team, during the registration process. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Exceptions to the visitor policy may be made on a case-by-case basis. 

View and download a visual summary of the visitor policy (PDF)

Other visitor requirements

  • Everyone—patients, caregivers, and visitors—is required to stop at the check-in desk located at entrances in the hospital. All non-staff persons entering an SVMC building will be given a sticker marked with the date and department they are visiting and are asked to keep the sticker visible and remain in the area of service for the entire time they are in the building.
  • Those entering the Medical Office Building will be screened once they reach the practice they are visiting.
  • Everyone is encouraged to sanitize their hands upon entry and exit from the building, units, and patient rooms.
  • Both inpatients and outpatients who would benefit from additional support during a visit or stay should request the use of technology to bring important family and friends virtually into exam and hospital rooms.

Accommodations

Hampton Inn offers 15% off their best available rate for family members of current hospital patients.

Hampton Inn Bennington
51 Hannaford Square
Bennington, Vermont, 05201, USA
802-440-9862
Website

Workplace violence policy

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center does not tolerate abusive or violent behavior, including:

  • Threatening language
  • Foul language
  • Sexual comments
  • Physical violence
  • Inappropriate touching

These behaviors compromise the safety of patients, visitors, and staff and will result in removal from this facility and/or prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.