Visitor Screenings and Restrictions at UI Health Care
Visitor Restrictions
All visitors
Must be at least 12 years of age.
Visiting hours
For all inpatient units are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Face masks
Are optional for everyone in our facilities, except for those who have symptoms of a respiratory virus.
Current Restrictions, Effective March 8, 2023
For adult patients (age 18+)
Adult inpatient
- Two visitors/support persons are allowed per patient per day.
- If a patient is admitted after 8 p.m., visitors are all allowed to go to the inpatient unit for one hour after patient admission.
- One visitor/support person is allowed overnight (8 p.m. to 8 a.m.).
Adult outpatients (arriving for a clinic visit, then returning home):
- Two visitors/support persons are allowed for patients aged 18–21.
- One visitor/support person is allowed for patients aged 22–64.
- Two visitors/support persons are allowed for patients 65 and older.
- One visitor/support person is allowed for prenatal appointments.
- One visitor/support person is allowed for postpartum patients and lactation visits up to eight weeks after delivery.
Adult surgical and procedural patients:
- Two visitors/support persons are allowed per patient per day.
- At least one visitor must be 18 or older.
For pediatric patients
Pediatric inpatients:
- Four visitors/support persons are allowed per patient per day.
- Two parents/legal guardians plus up to two other visitors as designated by the parents/legal guardians.
- Only parents/legal guardians (or their designated pediatric support person) may stay overnight.
- Visitors under the age of 18 are not permitted in the NICU and PICU/PCICU.
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit:
- Two adult visitors/support persons are allowed per patient per day.
Pediatric outpatients (arriving for a clinic visit, then returning home):
- Two adult visitors/support persons are allowed.
Pediatric surgical and procedural patients:
- Four visitors/support persons are allowed per patient per day.
- Two parents/legal guardians plus up to two other visitors as designated by the parents/legal guardian.
For All Visitors/Support Persons
These requirements must be met for visitors/support persons to be allowed entry into our facilities.
-
Should be a support person who is essential for the physical and mental well-being of the patient
-
Must be age 12 or older and healthy
-
Will be screened for symptoms of fever and illness when arriving and asked which patient they are visiting
-
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.
-
Stay in designated areas (such as the patient’s room for inpatients or in a waiting area for surgery and procedures) as much as possible
Further Assistance
- 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.
Staying Connected
Patients are encouraged to stay connected with their loved ones. Phone calls, text messages, video chats, and social media are available through free Wi-Fi connections.
These measures are for all our patient care facilities, including University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, clinics, specialty clinics, UI QuickCare, and UI Urgent Care.
Have More Questions About Our Visitor Guidelines?
Visitor Screening Rules
We continue to limit the number of public entrances to our hospital as one measure in our safety efforts. This allows us to effective screen everyone who comes into our patient care facilities for symptoms of COVID-19. These include:
- New or worsening:
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days?
- If the answer is yes, you will not be permitted to enter our facilities.
Visitors are not permitted to enter if they exhibit signs or symptoms.
Entrances Open to Patients and Visitors at UI Hospitals & Clinics and UI Stead Family Children's Hospital
- Main Entrance: 24/7
- Parking Ramp 3 Level 2 skywalk: 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. Monday to Friday
- UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital entrance: 24/7
- Pomerantz Family Pavilion, Level 2 from Parking Ramp 4 skyway: 24/7
- Pomerantz Family Pavilion Lobby Entrance: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday
*All other UI Health Care facilities should be considered open and accessible via the main entrance of that location, unless stated otherwise.
Entrances Open to Certain Patients:
- Family Medicine circle drive near Parking Ramp 4:
- Family Medicine Clinic: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
- Respiratory Clinic: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- This entrance is only for patients who have an appointment in the Family Medicine or Respiratory Clinic.
- Emergency Department: Patients and visitors will be able to enter the Emergency Department as usual. Patients coming in an emergency to one of the other entrances will be directed by screening staff to the Emergency Department.
- Labor and Delivery: The south door of John Pappajohn Pavilion is closed, but in an emergency or in labor, there is a call button at that door, where security can grant access.