Visitor Guidelines

At Irwin Army Community Hospital we take seriously the protection of patients and staff while recognizing the role that friends and family have in healing and recovery. As such, our team has consulted with experts and public health officials to update our visitor policy effective immediately.

Visiting Hours

• Daily visitation hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• At 7:45 p.m., an announcement will be made notifying visitors that visitation will end in 15 minutes.

After-Hours and Weekend Access

• From 5 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday, and 24 hours on weekends and holidays, all visitors must enter through the Emergency Department.
• This will be the only public access point during these times. All other entrances are restricted to staff with card access.

All visitors must:

• Check in at the security desk (primary) or Emergency Department front desk (alternate)
• Present a valid state- or government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or military ID)
• Receive a visitor badge, which must be worn visibly above the waist at all times

Visitors accessing inpatient units must also:

• Provide the patient’s name, unit, and room number
• Wait while staff verify visitation eligibility before a badge is issued

Visitor Badge Process

• Visitors will temporarily exchange a state-issued ID for a visitor badge
• The badge allows access to designated areas and must be worn at all times
• Visitors must return the badge and retrieve their ID before leaving the facility

Additional Guidance

• Visitors coming for after-hours appointments, pharmacy ScriptCenter kiosk, or cafeteria access must still check in and follow badge procedures
• Hospital staff will verify that all individuals in the facility after hours are properly badged
• Individuals without proper identification or badges may be escorted to the Emergency Department for processing

Special Considerations

• Inpatient units may approve extended visitation hours on a case-by-case basis; however, these must be coordinated with hospital security
• For safety and privacy, staff may only confirm whether a patient is admitted; no additional patient information will be provided

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and allow additional time for check-in when arriving after normal duty hours.

Mask Requirements

Face masks are required at IACH if you:

• Have tested positive for COVID in the past 10 days
• Are having COVID or flu-like symptoms
• Have had close contact with someone with COVID in the past 10 days

If you are experiencing a cough, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, body aches, fever or any other signs of upper respiratory illness, please call the triage line 785 239-DOCS, option 7, instead of coming into the hospital unless it is an emergency.