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Visitor Restriction FAQs for Family Members

Why are these visitor restrictions in place?

We are doing this because safety is our highest priority. UI Health Care is, and will remain, a safe place to receive care.

Are face masks required?

Face masks are optional for everyone in our facilities, except for those who have symptoms of a respiratory virus, for which face masks are required. Learn more about face masks at UI Health Care.

Will someone help my loved one get to their appointment?

Yes, staff at hospital entrances will assist patients and approved visitors with exiting/entering vehicles, wheelchair escorts, and directions. For those who need a wheelchair, a staff member will escort them from their car, through the screening station, and to their destination.

I’m not an approved visitor. How do I ask for an exception?

You may call 1-319-356-1616.

How can I stay connected with my loved one who is in the hospital?

Patients are encouraged to stay connected with their loved ones while being cared for at UI Health Care. Phone calls, text messages, video chats, and social media are available with free Wi-Fi for our patients.

Can I join my loved one’s appointment via phone?

If the patient chooses to have a support person available by phone during the appointment, they may use their own phone or device to allow another person to listen during the clinic visit to speak with the provider.

If I’m not able to go inside the hospital, where should I park/wait?

At Medical Center on the University Campus, you can park in any hospital parking ramp (first 30 minutes are free for visitors), or staff will guide you to complimentary parking in lots near the hospital. Parking Ramp 2 has free WiFi, which is helpful if you’d like to video chat with your loved one in the hospital.

ThinkIowaCity provides more information on community locations you can visit during your loved one’s appointment.

If I’m dropping someone off for an appointment and they don’t have a cell phone, how will I know when they are done?

When you drop off a patient at one of our hospital entrances, let the greeter know that the patient doesn’t have a cell phone. The greeter will provide you with a pager, and the clinic staff will page you when the patient is leaving with details on where to meet.

How do I video chat?

If both you and your loved one have a smartphone or device but are unsure how to make a video call, you may ask a staff member for assistance. Here are instructions for people with iPhones to use FaceTime and for Android users. Other common apps with video messaging include Facebook Messenger, Zoom, Skype, and WhatsApp. Your loved one will need to use the same app you are using.

I serve as an interpreter for my loved one. Can I come with them to the appointment?

Two visitor/support person is allowed for patients undergoing surgery or a medical procedure, so you are welcome to accompany your loved one.

We also suggest our in-house interpreters or interpretation services for patients needing language interpretation. Call 1-319-356-1967 or 1-800-777-8442 ahead of the visit to ask for an interpreter (preferred) or ask a staff member when arriving at the entrance. Interpretation and Translation Services has more information.

Can I drop off items for the patient?

Items for a hospitalized patient may be brought to the hospital Fountain Lobby Entrance or UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital main entrance for drop-off. You will need to put items in a sealed plastic bag no larger than a grocery bag and write the patient’s name on the bag with a permanent marker. Staff will greet you outside these two main entrances to pick up items for delivery to the patient. If no staff are outside, you may come inside to the Information Desk.

The patient I want to visit is in critical care and/or an intensive care unit. May I visit?

Hospitalized patients may have two visitor/support person per day. Other exceptions are made by the clinical leaders in the unit based on safety and the patient's unique circumstances. We are sorry for any frustration these temporary measures may cause.

Are you caring for non-COVID-19 patients at this time?

Yes, we are still here for all patients with essential health care needs. The vast majority of our patients are here for other reasons not related to COVID-19, and the few that do have COVID-19 are in separate, isolated areas with designated support staff. Keeping you and everyone in the building safe is our highest priority.

Sidebar content
  • Your Visit
    • Billing, Insurance, and Financial Assistance
      • Financial Counseling Services
      • Financial and Billing Assistance
        • Billing Checklist
        • How to Read Your Bill
        • Options and Steps for Paying your Bill
        • Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
        • Billing for Hospital-Based Clinics
      • Frequently Asked Questions About Billing, Insurance, and Records
        • Questions for Former Mercy Iowa City Patients
      • Insurance Coverages and Patient Registration
        • Frequently Asked Questions for Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Patients
        • Medicare Coverage
        • UI Health Care Insurance Contract List
      • Medical Records Request
    • Visitor Resources
      • Visitor guidelines
        • Face Mask Guidelines and Requirements
        • Visitor Restriction FAQs for Family Members
      • Things to Do in the Iowa City Area
      • Places to Stay in the Iowa City Area
        • Overnight Stay for Guests
        • Ronald McDonald House and Hope Lodge
      • Things to Do in the Hospital
      • Holiday Resources for Patients and Visitors
        • Holiday Hours
      • Send a Letter to a Hospitalized Patient
      • Send a gift
    • Patient Resources
      • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
        • Social Media Policy
        • Notice of Nondiscrimination
        • Health Content Permissions Policy
        • HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices in English
          • Avis sur les pratiques de confidentialité
          • Cuidado de Salud de la Universidad de Iowa Aviso sobre las prácticas de privacidad
        • Patient FAQ - Nabla
        • SMS Terms and Conditions
      • Get to Know MyChart
        • MyChart Care Companion
        • eCheck-in with MyChart
        • What to Know About MyChart as a Former Mercy Iowa City Patient
      • Spiritual Services, Medical Center Downtown Campus
      • Spiritual Services, Medical Center University Campus
      • Create a Patient Blog
      • Interpretation and Translation Services
      • Office of the Patient Experience
        • About Our Patient Experience Surveys and Provider Ratings
        • Our Commitment to the Patient Experience
        • Patient Relations Specialists
        • Patient and Family Advisory Board (PFAB)
        • UI Health Care's Commitment to Accessing Patient Care
      • Telephone Numbers at UI Health Care
        • Integrated Call Center
        • Is 319-338-2111 calling you? It's UI Health Care
      • We Ask Because We Care
    • Driving directions and parking
      • Medical Center University Campus
      • Traffic Notifications
      • Iowa River Landing
    • How to Prepare for a Visit
      • Have an Appointment Scheduled at a Former Mercy Location?
      • New to the US? - Find The Right Care
      • On-Going Care and Follow-Up Visits
        • Home Care Options and UI Community HomeCare
        • On-Going Care Options
        • Therapy Options
      • Understanding your Health Care Team Roles
    • Medical Center on the University Campus
      • Services and Amenities
        • Lost & Found
        • UI Home Solutions–Medical Supply Store
          • Mommy and Me Bedside Delivery
        • Banking Services
        • Dietitian Services
        • Discharge Lounge
        • Environmental Services
        • Fourth Floor Salon
        • Gift Shop - Wild Rose Gifts
        • Guest and Concierge Services
        • Mailboxes and Mailing Addresses
        • Patients' Library
          • Patient Library Catalog
        • Play Spaces
        • Project Art
          • Artist—Art and Illness Series
            • As I Live and Breathe
          • Medical Museum
          • Performing Arts
          • Project Art Online Gallery - Permanent Pieces
          • Project Art Staff Directory
          • Requesting art for patient-focused spaces
          • Temporary Exhibits
            • 45th Annual Staff Art Show
            • Become a Project Art Exhibitor
            • Past Temporary Exhibits
        • Wheelchairs and Patient Escorts
        • Wifi Network and Computer Access
      • Places to Eat
        • Atrium Dining Room
        • Compass Express
        • Patient Room Service
        • Rooftop Café and Rooftop Terrace
        • The Fountain Dining Room
        • The Marketplace
      • Driving Directions and Parking
        • Visitor Parking Pass Booklet
    • Medical Center Downtown
      • Chapel
      • Driving Directions and Parking
      • Gift Shop - Goldfinch Gifts
      • Guest Lodging
    • Medical Center on the North Liberty Campus
      • Driving Directions and Parking
      • Places to Eat
        • Patient Room Service
        • Today's Menu
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