COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Visitor Limitations

Current Visitor Guidance
(Effective as of February 24, 2023)

Our guidelines have been modified to enhance patient visitation. We will continue to evaluate and adjust our policy with the guidance of our infectious disease experts, City and State public health officials.  General exceptions and restrictions remain in effect as outlined below.

General patients’ visitation

These are the general exceptions and restrictions for all UI Health facilities:

1. Two visitors could visit at a time during visiting hours 10 am - 7 pm. Visitors must be 16 years or older. Exceptions may be granted by the patient’s unit’s clinical leadership for visitors under the age of 16 who are accompanied by an adult.
2. Visitation safety requirements:
   • Visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptomology and contact with an individual confirmed to have COVID-19.
   • Anyone showing signs of illness during screening or during visitation will not be allowed to visit or accompany the patient.
   • All visitors are required to wear a procedure mask or a 2-ply cloth mask covering the nose and mouth and follow all infection prevention rules and instructions provided by staff. Ventilated masks and neck gaiters do not provide required protection and are therefore not acceptable masking options.
   • Masks will be provided at all entry points at all times and must be worn at all times upon entering the hospital or care areas.
   • Safe and uninterrupted visitation involves adherence to preventive infection measures and compliance with all visitation guidelines.

Patients’ 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:

Overnight stay may be approved on a case by case only by the nursing leadership.

Pediatric Visitation

One support person is allowed to stay overnight. As this is highly encouraged to support our minor patients for the duration of their hospital stay.

Labor & Delivery unit:

1. COVID-negative patients: 2 visitors are allowed to remain with the patient during their stay in Labor & Delivery unit.
2. COVID-positive patients: only 1 visitor is allowed to visit and to stay for the whole time without leaving the patient’s room

Mother, Baby, and Antepartum units:

1. COVID-negative patients: 2 visitors are allowed to visit during the hospital visitation hours, and only 1 visitor is allowed to stay overnight if the patient is in a private room.
2. COVID-positive patients: only 1 visitor is allowed to visit and to stay for the whole time without leaving the patient’s room.

OBER unit visitation:

1. COVID-negative patients may have one visitor. Visitation is open 24 hours/day.
2. COVID-positive patients, no visitors are allowed.

Neonatal ICU & Intermediate Care Nursery (ICN):  

Welcomes the mother and one designated support person, both asymptomatic and confirmed negative for COVID-19. The negative COVID-19 test must be completed biweekly. Fully vaccinated individuals are exempt from testing.                         

Psychiatry Units (Adults and Adolescents)

1. Adolescent psychiatry unit – visitation by exception only.
2. Adult psychiatry unit –password is required.
3. Visitation hours are on:
   • Saturdays from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.
   • Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 6 pm to 8 pm.
4. Visitation is for 30 minutes per visitor.

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 needs 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.