COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Visitor Limitations

Current Visitor Guidelines
(updated Feb. 9, 2024)

Visitation guidelines have been modified to enhance patient visitation while preserving the health and safety measures for our patients, visitors, and staff. We will continue to evaluate and adjust our visitors' policy with the guidance of our infectious disease experts as well as our city and State public health officials. 

General patient visitation

General exceptions and restrictions for all UI Health facilities:

1. Two visitors at a time during the visiting hours of 10 am-7 pm. Visitors must be 18 years or older. Exceptions may be granted by the patient’s unit clinical leadership for visitors under the age of 18 who are accompanied by an adult.
2. Click here for updated Masking Guidance.

Patient's support person:

1. A support person may be necessary and/or requested by the patient to provide emotional support and/or facilitate communication, and decision-making between the patient and hospital personnel. The patient or legal guardian may designate two support people, but only one support person may be present outside of visiting hours.
2. The support person needs to be 18 years or older.

Overnight stay:

An overnight stay is approved on a case-by-case basis only by nursing leadership. For pediatric patients, one support person is allowed to stay overnight as this is encouraged to support our minor patients for the duration of their hospital stay.

Siblings’ visitation is allowed as the following:

• Siblings of the age of 2+ years old are allowed to visit between the hours of 3 pm - 7 pm.
• Up to 2 siblings are allowed at a time when supervised by a banded caregiver.
• A maximum of 3 total visitors are allowed at the bedside during the sibling visitation time.
• If the sibling is showing any signs or symptoms of illness, they will stay home or be asked to leave.

Labor & Delivery unit:

• Two (2) visitors (which includes the significant other) are allowed to remain with the patient during their stay.
• Visitation is open 24 hours/day.
• Visitors must be 18 years or older.

OBER unit visitation:

• One (1) visitor is allowed to remain with the patient during their stay.
• Visitation is open 24 hours/day.
• Visitors must be 18 years or older.

Mother, Baby, and Antepartum units:

• Two (2) visitors (which includes the significant other) are allowed to visit during the visitation hours, from 10 am - 7 pm.
• One (1) visitor is allowed to stay overnight if the patient is in a private room.
• Visitors must be 18 years or older.
• Siblings ages 2+ are allowed to visit during regular visiting hours of 10 am – 7 pm.
• Up to 2 siblings are allowed at a time when supervised by a caregiver who is above the age of 18 (they cannot be left supervised by the patient without another adult)
• There will be a maximum of 3 total people allowed at the bedside during sibling visitation.
• When a patient requires isolation precautions other than Airborne or Droplet/Contact Plus, only healthy siblings 12 years old and older may visit during sibling visiting hours.
• If the sibling is showing any signs or symptoms of illness, they will stay home or be asked to leave.
• Siblings must remain in the mother’s room.
• If guidelines are not followed, siblings will no longer be allowed to visit.

Sibling Visitation for NICU and Pediatric units

1. Siblings ages 3+ years old will be allowed to visit between the hours of 10 am – 7 pm daily.
2. The sibling's guardian will be present for the entire visit to supervise.
3. Up to 1 sibling is allowed at a time when supervised by a banded caregiver.
4. There will be a maximum of 3 total people allowed at the bedside during sibling visitation.
5. If a patient requires Airborne or Droplet/Contact Plus (e.g., COVID-19) precautions, only parents are permitted to visit.
6. When a patient requires other types of isolation precautions, only healthy siblings 12 years old and older may visit during sibling visiting hours.
7. If the sibling is showing any signs or symptoms of illness, they will stay home or be asked to leave.
8. Siblings must remain at the patient’s bedside unless the volunteer invites them to play spaces and is able to supervise.
9. If guidelines are not followed, siblings will no longer be allowed to visit.

Neonatal ICU & Special Care Nursery (SCN):  

Welcomes the mother and one designated support person. Each family is allowed two visitors at any time. One of those individuals must be a band holder. Each family should decide who the two band holders will be, and these two should remain the same throughout the baby’s admission.                         

Psychiatry Units (Adults and Adolescents)

Adolescent psychiatry unit – visitation by exception only.

Adult psychiatry unit –password is required.

1. Visitation hours are on:

   • Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays: from 1 pm to 2:30 pm & 6:30 pm to 8 pm.

   • Mondays to Fridays: from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.

2. 2 Visitors per patient per day.

3. No food is allowed without the approval from the medical director/nurse manager.

Outpatient Visitation

Emergency Department

A patient is allowed to have one visitor.

Hospital Imaging, Surgery, and Diagnostic areas  

1. Patients 18 years or older may have one companion.
2. Patients under the age of 18 are allowed to have two companions.
3. For GI patients, visitation is by exception only.
4. Companions must be 18 years old or older.
5. Exceptions may be granted by the care team and need to be pre-arranged and approved.

Inpatient Visitation Guidelines for Patients in COVID-19 Isolation

1. Visitors must follow all infection prevention rules and instructions provided by staff, including wearing an N95 mask, gowns, gloves, and protective eye shields throughout the visit.
2. Visitors must remain in the patient’s room for the duration of the visit and must exit the hospital once the visit has concluded. Visitors are not allowed to frequent other areas of the hospital.
3. Anyone who fails to adhere to infection prevention rules, has a fever, or is showing signs of illness during screening will not be allowed to visit.

End-of-Life (EOL) Visitation Guidelines

If it is determined that a patient is at the EOL, two visitors are allowed to visit the patient at a time to accommodate family visitation and minimize transmission risks. Visitors must remain in the patient’s room for the duration of the visit and must exit the Hospital once the visit has concluded. Exceptions can be granted for two people to stay until the patient expires. EOL visitation may be granted for visitors under the age of 18 years of age.