Visitor Guidelines at UI Health Care

To protect the health of our patients, their families, and our employees, University of Iowa Health Care has modified visitor guidelines in place.

Visitor Guidelines

Visitor Ages

Any visitor under the age of 14 must always be supervised by an adult.

Visiting hours

For all inpatient units are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Face masks

Face masks are required in the following inpatient units:

All inpatient units within UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital
Level 12 of Stead Family Children's Hospital
Stead Family Children's Hospital Level 11 clinic
Children’s and Women’s Services (all units including 3JPP, 6JPP, and Labor and Delivery)
Adult Bone Marrow Transplant (3JCP)
Maternal Child Unit (downtown campus)

Current Restrictions, Effective December 2, 2025

Inpatient-Adult

Inpatient-Pediatric

No visitors under 12 years old
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
4 designated visitors are allowed per patient per hospital stay
- 4 visitors at a time
8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
2 parents/legal guardians

NICU

Visitors under the age of 18 must be a sibling of the patient or the patient’s parent

Pediatric bone marrow transplant patients

Inpatient-Behavioral Health

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
2 visitors per day
8 p.m. to 10 a.m.
No overnight visitors
Children under the age of 18 are not permitted unless approved by a physician
Patients who are discharged are not allowed to return to visit other patients until 3 months after discharge

Child and adolescent behavioral health

Visiting hours: 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays
Visitors can only be siblings over the age of 21, parents, guardians, aunts and uncles, and grandparents.
Visitors must be approved by a social worker.
Visitors under the age of 21 are not allowed.
No “significant other” visits are allowed.

Outpatient clinic visits-Adult and pediatric

Emergency Department

Surgery and procedure patients-Adult

Surgery and procedure patients-Pediatric

Labor and Delivery

No visitors under 12 years old
4 designated visitors plus birth support person or partner (father or designee of patient) per hospital stay
Doulas are considered part of the care team and do not count in the patient’s visitor total.

Postpartum/Mother and Child

No visitors under 12 years old
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
4 designated visitors are allowed per patient per hospital stay
- 4 visitors at a time
8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
2 visitors
The number of visitors allowed in a room may change by unit.

Must be free of symptoms of a respiratory or any other contagious illness.
Should be vital for the physical and mental well-being of the patient.
Clergy members are not visitors and do not count toward a patient’s number of visitors.
Visitors under the age of 14 must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Must stay in the chosen visitor area (such as the patient’s room or clinic waiting room) as much as possible.
Note: Visitor guidelines are different in some areas to protect the health and safety of patients.

Mobility assistance: Staff can assist patients with exiting/entering vehicles, wheelchair escorts, and directions.
Interpreter: Call 1-319-356-1967 or 1-800-777-8442 ahead of your visit to ask for an interpreter (preferred) or once you arrive by asking a staff member.
More information: The Main Entrance Information Desk is staffed 24/7 (call 1-319-356-2456 with questions), and the Office of the Patient Experience will have staff at major entrances to address concerns.