Visiting Hours and Guidelines

We ask visitors to follow the visiting guidelines below. Our family-centered care philosophy offers flexibility for visiting. However, your health and overall safety and security affect the number of visitors and time they can spend with you.

Medical-surgical Units

Visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. No children under age 13 may visit without first checking with your nurse. Any person who is sick or has been exposed to an infectious disease (such as chicken pox) in the past three weeks should not visit.

A support person may be able to spend the night in a patient’s private room if needed. For some patients, it is confusing and difficult to be in the hospital. If you have a history of confusion, or if you appear to be confused or agitated, we will ask that a family member stay with you. Or we may ask that other arrangements be made. Arrangements should be made with your nurse. We can also give you information about private duty services. Please ask your nurse or social worker for information.

In the Intensive Care Unit, visiting guidelines may vary. Please see your caregiver for specific information.

Womancare Birth Center

Childbirth is a family event. The Womancare Birth Center welcomes visitors. We recognize the support that family and friends provide during your stay. Pleas be aware of some safety and security concerns. These are especially important with many people coming in and out of hospital areas. Please help us maintain a safe environment for you and your family. Ask your family and friends to follow these guidelines:

In case of illness: Anyone who is sick or has been exposed to an infectious disease (such as chicken pox) in the past three weeks should not visit.

In the Triage area: Visitors are limited to only one support person due to limited space.

During labor: No more than four visitors are permitted at a time in your LDR room. Labor can, at times, be overwhelming and emotional. It may be best to limit visitors to only those who are there to provide support. Visitors may be asked to step out if you wish or when we give you care.

During birth: One or two support people may be present. If delivery must occur in the operating room, only one support person may be present.

Following birth: The first two hours after delivery are an important time for you and your baby. During this time, encourage family and friends to visit only for a short time. Only the new baby’s brothers and sisters may visit in the Womancare Birth Center after your baby is born. We will provide special stickers for siblings so they can be properly identified. For safety reasons, no other children under age 13 may visit.

After transfer from the LDR to the Postpartum Unit: Your family and friends are welcome to visit you during regular visiting hours. After visiting hours, only your main support person is permitted on the Postpartum Unit.

Other Guidelines

Cell phones and wireless computers

Medical equipment may be affected by the use of wireless communication devices. Please read and obey all signs posted in the hospital about restricted use of cell phones, wireless computers, and other wireless devices that transmit radio signals. These devices include:

  • Cellular telephones (cell phones)
  • Two-way pagers
  • Portable two-way radios, such as walkie-talkies
  • CB (citizen band) radios
  • Wireless PCs (personal computers)
  • Wireless PDAs (personal digital assistants)
  • Computer communication devices
  • Any device that sends a radio signal

UPMC restricts use of wireless devices in these areas:

  • Ors (operating rooms)
  • ICUs (intensive care units)
  • Patient units
  • Heart-monitoring (telemetry) units
  • Testing (diagnostic) and treatment rooms
  • Clinical labs
  • Any area where equipment is used to diagnose or treat patients

In restricted areas, your wireless devices must be switched to “OFF.” Staff may use special cell phones to contact each other. These cell phones are adapted for safe use in restricted areas. Patients and visitors may use cell phones and other wireless devices only in these areas:

  • Waiting areas
  • Cafeteria
  • Common areas not posted as restricted, such as lobbies and hallways

You may not use wireless devices anywhere in the hospital to photograph, film, or record without approval by hospital management.

Clothes, jewelry, money

Leave at home all valuables. These include jewelry, expensive clothes, large amounts of cash, credit cards, important papers, and sentimental items. Remove all body-piercing jewelry. You may wear your wedding band. Have a small amount of coins and cash for coffee, newspapers, public phone calls, gift cart items, etc. A phone card is helpful, especially for long-distance calls. The hospital is not responsible for any personal belongings.

Electrical appliances

Please leave appliances at home. We can lend you a hair dryer if you need one. Your audio and video equipment must be battery-operated. Please do not bring any item that must be plugged in.

Glasses, dentures, hearing aids

When you are not using your eyeglasses, contact lenses, dentures, or hearing aids, put them in a protective case. Then place them inside the drawer of your bedside stand.The hospital is not responsible for breakage or loss of these items.

Identification (ID)

For safety and security, Magee has a system for identifying all patients and staff.