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New Youth Visitation Policy during Flu Season

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the West Central Health District, most cases of flu-like illness (fever with cough or sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, nausea or vomiting) are occurring in children and young adults. In response to the current flu illness in the community, Columbus Regional has joined together with local hospitals to implement visitation restrictions to help protect our patients and visitors.

At The Medical Center, Doctors Hospital, Hughston Hospital and the John B. Amos Cancer Center, visitors must be 19 years of age or older to visit any area. This policy will become effective on Monday, September 14 at 6:00 a.m. In addition, visitors who present flu-like symptoms will not be permitted to visit patients.

In extenuating circumstances, exceptions may be allowed on the age restriction policy, but will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Visitors who are excepted from the policy will be required to wear a mask at all times while visiting within the hospital.

Security will staff the main entrances of the hospitals to enforce the visitation policy during the following hours:

  • The Medical Center from 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily
  • Doctors Hospital from 6:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. daily
  • Hughston Hospital from 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m., M-F, and 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m., weekends


Thank you for your cooperation.
As the region's leading provider of healthcare, Columbus Regional Healthcare System has touched the lives of most of the children and adults in this region through its comprehensive network of services. Located in the West Georgia city of Columbus, Columbus Regional was established in 1986 as a not-for-profit health services organization, but its roots can be traced back to 1836 when the local hospital was a small wooden building on the banks of the Chattahoochee River.