UPMC Visitation Restrictions

Inpatient and outpatient visitation is currently restricted, outlined below. All hospitals and facilities, except UPMC Chautauqua and Western Maryland, will follow these guidelines.

Non-COVID-19 inpatients and outpatients:

• Inpatients and inpatient surgery patients:
  • The patient should identify one support person. Support persons will be screened upon entry and must wear a facemask and a wristband, sticker, or tag.
  • The patient’s support person may visit within the location’s established support person hours.
  • Only one support person per patient is permitted inside the facility at a time. 
• Outpatient surgery patients: The same one support person is permitted pre-procedure, for post-surgery discussion, and for assistance with discharge.
  • If the patient is discharged, the support person may stay with the patient.
  • If the patient is admitted, the support person may accompany the patient to the inpatient unit.
• Outpatients in hospital clinics, physician practices, and UPMC Outpatient Center locations: One support person is permitted.
  • If patients plan to bring a support person, they must pick someone who is not showing symptoms (fever, cough, or shortness of breath) and who has not had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Support persons must pass a pre-appointment screening phone call and/or registration check-in screening.
• All pediatric outpatients, including Children’s Community Pediatrics: Support persons policy varies by location. Please contact your location for the most up-to-date information.
  • Support persons must pass a pre-appointment screening phone call and/or registration check-in screening.

Inpatients being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19:

• Those who are suspected of having COVID-19 or inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19, or a representative on their behalf may identify one support person to assist them for the duration of their hospital stay.
  • In addition, visits by UPMC-employed pastoral care or by non-UPMC-employed community clergy are also permitted.
  • We will provide a time-limited window for visitation.
  • Visits must be scheduled and coordinated with hospital leadership.
• Support persons must:
  • Follow our patient support person guidelines.
  • Pass the facility’s entry screening process.
  • Wear a UPMC-issued patient support person wristband, sticker, or tag.
• Before entering the room of patients who are suspected of having COVID-19 or COVID-19 inpatients, support persons will be required to put on personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by the nursing team, which will include a gown, gloves, a surgical mask with a face shield, or a surgical mask alone if a face shield is not available. A member of the hospital care team will assist them. This level of PPE is considered appropriate for support persons.
• When support persons enter an isolation room or area, a member of the hospital care team will assist them with PPE.
• When support persons exit an isolation room or area, a member of the hospital care team will help them safely remove their PPE.
• At the end of the visit, support persons will leave the hospital.

Obstetrics, pediatric inpatients, labor and delivery (L&D), and NICU inpatients:

• Obstetrics and L&D: Inpatients are permitted one support person for their entire stay. Patients may also have a doula during their stay in addition to their identified support person.
  • Support persons must wear facemasks at all times inside the unit, only removing their mask to eat.
• Peds and NICU: Support persons will be limited to the same two people per patient for the entire stay (i.e. parent, guardian).
  • Level III NICU and Level II Nurseries/NICUs: Support persons must wear facemasks at all times inside the unit, only removing their masks to eat.

Transitional care unit (TCU) patients:

• Follow long-term care visitation guidelines below. Screening will take place at the entrance of the facility.

• Patients at all UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (HCC) locations are permitted one support person for provider visits.
• The support person will:
  • Attend provider appointments and educational sessions with the patient.
  • Support the patient through provider visits by participating in discussions about treatment and care planning.
  • Share updates with family and friends as the patient wishes.

Behavioral health services (UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and all inpatient behavioral health settings):

• One support person may be identified for children and adolescents under the age of 18, with in-person support person visits only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
• One support person may be identified for patients with cognitive disabilities of all ages, with in-person support person visits only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
• No in-person support person visits are currently permitted for patients 18 years of age and older.
• Patients are permitted virtual visits on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
• The same one support person of child patients (i.e. parent or guardian) is permitted in the Psychiatric Emergency Services.

UPMC Chautauqua allows one patient support person from 3 to 7 p.m. each day for patients not admitted with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

• Patient support persons must be 18 years of age or older, except in rare exceptions determined by hospital leadership.
• Inpatients may have different patient support persons alternate during the designated visiting hours. However, only one support person per patient is permitted inside the facility at one time.
• The patient support person will enter through the designated hospital entrance where screening normally occurs.
  • The support person will be screened for COVID-19 exposure and symptoms with a questionnaire and no-touch temperature. They may not enter the facility if they report COVID-19 symptoms or exposure in the previous 14 days, or if their temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher at the time of screening.
  • The support person must wear a cloth face covering to enter the facility. If they do not have one, hospital staff will provide one.
    • The support person must continue to wear a facemask and other personal protective equipment (PPE) deemed appropriate throughout the facility. If not, they will be asked to leave.
  • The support person will receive visitation guidelines.
  • The support person will be provided a green ticket with date, time, and nursing unit listed on the ticket. They must keep this ticket visible while walking in the hospital and must present it at the nurses’ station.
• Patient support persons should proceed directly to the nursing unit and no other areas of the hospital.
  • Upon arrival to the nursing unit, the support person should present their green ticket to the staff. The staff will keep the green ticket until the support person leaves the unit.
  • The support person will sign in by listing their full name, phone number, address, the name of the patient they are visiting, and their entry and departure times. This information will be added to the patient’s record.
  • The support person should remain in the patient’s room during the duration of their visit. They may not remain in the room during aerosol-generating procedures or during other procedures during which hospital staff would normally ask visitors to leave.
  • The support person will be provided hand hygiene education documents and Donning and Doffing of PPE, if appropriate.
  • Staff will provide patient support persons with written and/or verbal information about potential risks and benefits of visitation.
    • Benefits include providing support to patient, communicating directly with patient and staff about the patient’s care, and communicating directly about discharge planning.
    • Risks include the potential exposure to COVID-19 or other diseases and the potential transmission of COVID-19 or other disease to patients and staff.
  • When the support person leaves the patient’s room, unit staff will return the green ticket.

Same Day Procedural and Surgical Patients

One patient support person may accompany the patient into the facility and may remain with the patient until the initial intake process is complete.

• As outlined above, the support person will receive a green ticket with date, time, and destination upon entry. He or she must provide that ticket when arriving to the nursing unit.
• After the initial intake process is completed, the support person must leave.
• Staff will contact the support person by phone when the patient is ready for discharge. The support person may rejoin the patient during discharge education and instructions.
• Support persons may not be present during procedures or in the recovery room, except for pediatrics, childbirth, and patients with an intellectual, developmental, or cognitive disability.
• Patients will receive instructions about the patient support person process before their procedures/surgeries and at the time of their arrival.

Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery (L&D), NICU, and patients with intellectual, developmental, or cognitive disability guidelines:

• Labor & Delivery: Patient support persons are limited to the same one support person per patient for the entire stay (i.e. partner or doula).
• Pediatrics and NICU: Patient support persons are limited to the same two designated support persons per patient for the entire stay (i.e. parent or guardian). Only one support person can be in the facility at any time.
• Patients with intellectual, developmental, or other cognitive disabilities: Patient support persons are limited to the same two designated support persons per patient for the entire stay. Only one support person can be in the facility at any time.
  • Before entry, all approved support persons will be screened for shortness of breath, fever, cough, and contact with someone who is under investigation for COVID-19. Those who do not meet screening requirements will not be permitted inside the facility.
  • All approved support persons will be provided a gown, gloves, and a surgical mask. They must wear these at all times in the facility. The facemask may only be removed while eating.
  • Support persons must be 18 or older. Because of the risk of COVID-19, support persons should be younger than 70.

In accordance with Maryland Governor Hogan's state order issued on Tuesday, Nov. 17, we are restricting support persons and visitors for UPMC Western Maryland inpatients and Emergency Department patients.

Exceptions to this order may be made with the approval of hospital leadership for compassionate care and end-of-life situations, and for patients with disabilities or who require additional support. 

Support persons are an essential part of the care team to help our patients manage and communicate about their care. We encourage our patients to use FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and phone calls to virtually connect with loved ones while they are in the hospital.

Exceptions for Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Labor & Delivery, and patients with disabilities:

Support persons are limited to those essential for the patient’s physical or emotional well-being, and all must comply with the above-mentioned requirements for All Support Persons in All Care Settings, including properly wearing a facemask upon entry and at all times, following distancing guidelines, passing facility entry screening, and being 18 years of age or older.

• Pediatrics: Support persons will be limited to the same two people per patient for the entire stay (e.g., parent, guardian).
• Obstetrics/Labor & Delivery: 
  • Inpatients are permitted the same one primary and one alternate support person for their entire stay, with only one support person permitted inside the facility at a time. We are allowing an alternate support person in case the primary support person cannot visit during the patient’s stay.
  • Doulas are documented as the alternate support person and may be on-site at the same time as the primary support person.
• Patients with disabilities and those who require additional physical assistance: 
  • Inpatients: Patients are allowed the same one primary and one alternate support person for their entire stay, with only one support person permitted inside the facility at a time.
  • Emergency Department Patients: The same one support person is permitted for persons with disabilities or who require additional assistance.
• Hospital-based outpatient services (including surgical services, diagnostics, and medical visits): The same one support person is permitted.

At each UPMC Senior Communities location, we are gradually begining to resume some on-site visiting hours and communal activities as soon as it is safe to do so. Visit our individual Senior Communities residence websites for location-specific details. We are continuing to evaluate the COVID-19 situation in our community and will share long-term care visitation updates as they become available.

Until each location resumes on-site visitation, visitors will be permitted only in special situations, approved by the facility administrator or designated manager. Special situations may include end-of-life visitation and when a visitor is essential for the resident’s emotional well-being and care.

A staff member will screen special-approved support persons, essential health providers, and vendors for COVID-19 exposure and symptoms at the entrances to UPMC Senior Communities. Screening for transitional care units will take place at hospital entrances.

We recognize the importance of visitation for the well-being of our patients and residents and their loved ones. We encourage virtual visitation by phone and video calls and “window visits,” where available. Our staff will help to coordinate these visits between our residents and their loved ones.

In addition to visitor restrictions, UPMC is temporarily restricting volunteer activities in hospitals and facilities. We are looking to ensure the safety of our volunteers and to protect against the spread of illness, including COVID-19.

We are beginning to safely reintroduce essential, approved volunteers in our hospitals. They will support areas that provide facility safety and positive experiences for patients and staff.

On-site volunteers:

• Must be ages 18 to 65, protecting older adults who are most vulnerable of COVID-19 illness.
• Cannot have a chronic disease or health condition that could put them at risk of COVID-19, such as cancer, or be receiving immunotherapy treatments.
• Must wear a facemask at all times inside the hospital, in accordance with our universal guidelines. The mask must be worn properly, covering the nose and mouth.
• Must be screened at the entrance upon arrival, including a no-touch temperature and COVID-19 questionnaire.
• Must follow COVID-19 prevention protocols, including frequent handwashing, sanitation, and proper social distancing.

Permitted volunteer activities include:

• Helping with facility entrance screening as screeners, greeters, or escorts
• Staffing information and greeter desks
• Making bereavement phone calls
• Providing phone, administrative, and clerical support, without interacting with patients
• Monitoring safety guidelines (physical distancing, facemasks) in waiting areas, entryways, and other high-traffic areas
• Serving as a liaison with outpatient support persons
• Supporting the mailroom
• Couriering food for staff
• Distributing equipment or supplies

We will continue to evaluate and update our volunteer protocols as needed.

Providers deemed essential to a patient’s care and wellbeing, and vendors necessary for patient care and/or hospital operations, may enter facilities in some circumstances. Those granted access must follow the same screening guidelines as all permitted visitors.

The following guidelines will apply:

Clergy and Pastoral Care

• Ongoing access to spiritual and pastoral care is considered an essential part of our patients’ care. UPMC-employed chaplains continue to provide care on-site as usual, following our standard precautions. Local clergy and chaplains are permitted on-site to visit individuals from their religious communities. They are encouraged to exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis.
• Like all employees and visitors who enter UPMC facilities, local clergy will be screened upon entry. If screening temporarily restricts a member of the clergy from entry, they are encouraged to identify an alternate person who may provide the needed pastoral visitation.

Hospice and Home Care Providers

• Hospice and home care providers may be essential health care providers at long-term care settings where nursing and clinical staff are not providing around-the-clock care, such as independent and assisted living and personal care.
• Hospice providers are additionally essential in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals when delivering direct patient care.

Post-Acute Liaisons

• Liaisons from non-UPMC post-acute facilities, such as long-term acute care, acute rehabilitation, and skilled nursing facilities, are restricted from working on-site in UPMC facilities.
  • During this time, post-acute liaisons should continue to work closely with UPMC care managers and/or social workers using virtual electronic and telephonic methods to ensure patients transition safely and efficiently to the next level of care.
  • Liaisons employed by UPMC facilities will continue to work with their direct leadership on any changes to their work processes or environment.

Vendors / Dock Deliveries

• Only vendors providing services deemed essential will be able to enter UPMC facilities via loading docks. Suppliers that are deemed essential and provided facility access via the loading dock will follow our facility entrance screening procedure, either at the dock or main facility entrance. Essential non-UPMC delivery personnel are encouraged to wear a UPMC-provided facemask while in the facility.
  • All other vendors will stage their deliveries at the loading dock as instructed by each facility. A UPMC employee who has already been clinically screened for the day will then deliver internally.

Other

• Other essential on-site direct care and support providers may include:
  • Adult Protective Services (APS).
  • Children and Youth Services (CYS).
  • Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
  • Legal counsel, attorneys, when needed.
  • Other, as approved by local command center.
  • Police, when needed.
  • Specialty pharmacies and durable medical equipment (DME) providers, for discharges.