UPMC Visitation Restrictions

Inpatient and outpatient visitation is currently restricted, outlined below. All UPMC hospitals and facilities will follow these guidelines, except when local or state regulations differ. Because of this, UPMC Chautauqua's visitation policies are listed separately below. UPMC Western Maryland follows UPMC visitation guidelines unless otherwise stated.

All non-COVID-19 inpatients, including Obstetrics, Labor & Delivery, Pediatrics, and NICU

• The patient should identify two support persons, who both can visit at the same time.
  • Support persons must wear a facemask and a wristband, sticker, or tag. They may visit within the location's established support person hours.
  • Support persons must be at least 18 years old. No children are permitted.
  • Clergy and doulas do not count as support persons. They can be present at the same time as the identified support persons.
  • All pediatric inpatients, including UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics and Emergency Department, are permitted two support persons at all times.

All outpatient, including procedural areas (GI lab and cath lab), ambulatory and surgical services, outpatient facilities (MRI, imaging, therapy, etc.), and physician offices

• The patient should identify two support persons, who both can visit at the same time.

All UPMC Hillman Cancer Center locations

• One support person is permitted. See the expandable section below for more details.

All UPMC Emergency Department locations

• One support person is permitted.

Inpatients being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19

• Those suspected of having COVID-19 or inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19, or a representative on their behalf, may identify one primary and one alternate support person to assist them for the duration of their hospital stay.
  • Only one support person is permitted inside the facility at a time during the provided time-limited visitation window. Visits must be scheduled and coordinated with hospital leadership.
  • In addition, visits by UPMC-employed pastoral care or by non-UPMC-employed community clergy are permitted.
  • Support persons who live in the same household as the patient who is diagnosed with or being tested for COVID-19 are permitted, as long as they are asymptomatic, wear a facemask at all times, and stay in the patient’s room and do not roam the hospital.
• Support persons must follow our patient support person guidelines and 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. This 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.
• 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 and NICU inpatients being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19

• Obstetrics patients being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19: One primary and one alternate support person may be identified.
  • Only one support person is permitted in the facility at one time.
  • If a support person has been exposed to COVID-19, is being tested for COVID-19, and/or has been diagnosed with COVID-19, visitation guidelines will be determined by the facility.
• NICU: One primary and one alternate support person is permitted. Only one may be present at a time. PPE guidelines are determined by the symptoms or exposure of the infant and their support persons.
  • NICU infant born to a mother who is COVID-positive or suspected to have COVID-19: No visitation restrictions for mother after she has completed isolation and been cleared by Infection Prevention.
  • Infant exposed to parent(s) with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 during NICU stay: No visitation restrictions for parent(s) after they complete isolation and are cleared by Infection Prevention.
  • A fully vaccinated parent or support person who has exposure to COVID-19 should not be excluded from NICU unless they develop symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2 or are considered a person under investigation for COVID-19.
  • When an asymptomatic infant is in quarantine from an exposure, support persons who meet support visit guidelines can visit following universal masking protocols; no other PPE required.
  • When symptomatic infant is no longer is airborne precautions and in quarantine (droplet-contact), the support person that meets support person guidelines can visit following universal masking protocols; no other PPE required.
  • When infant is in airborne precautions, the support person that meets support person guidelines can visit and must don full PPE, (gown, gloves, surgical mask, and face protection).

Outpatients and Emergency Department patients being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19

• Patients can identify one support person.

End of Life (any setting)

• Patient care team will determine visitation exceptions.

Transitional care unit (TCU) patients

• Follow the long-term care visitation guidelines below.

• 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.

• Two support persons may be identified and may visit at the same time. In-person support person visits are permitted on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
• Virtual visit options are open and are encouraged.
• Psychiatric Emergency Department patients are permitted one support person.
• Support persons are allowed in the building for:
  • Inpatient units (visiting hours may vary).
  • Emergency Departments.
  • ECT/TMS locations.

Beginning December 6, 2021, UPMC Chautauqua will allow two patient support persons from 3 p.m. 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.
• 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 the 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 with education documents about hand hygiene 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 the patient, communicating directly with the 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 diseases 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 the 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 two support persons 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).
• 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.
  • 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.

UPMC Western Maryland will follow UPMC visitation guidelines, unless otherwise stated below.

View the State of Maryland's Notice. Exceptions to this order may be made with the approval of hospital leadership for compassionate care, end-of-life situations, and for patients with disabilities ― as defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.

Support Person Exceptions (UPMC Western Maryland only):

• Emergency Department patients:
  • One primary and one alternate support person should be identified by the patient.
    • Both support persons must be documented in our hospital electronic medical records system.
  • Support persons must wear a facemask and wristband, sticker, or tag.
  • The patient's support person may visit within the location's established support person hours.
  • Only one support person, primary or alternate, is permitted inside the facility at a time for each patient.
    • For example, if the patient's primary support person visits in the morning and is unable to be on site in the evening, the alternate support may visit in place of the primary.

With many senior living residents and employees vaccinated across the country, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have issued updated guidance for long-term care facilities, impacting UPMC Senior Communities and our hospital-based Transitional Care Units (TCUs), lifting most on-site visitation restrictions.

• Residents and inpatients can have visitors as often as they would like regardless of the resident’s or visitor’s vaccination status.
• Visits do not need to be prescheduled.
• The number of visitors a resident may have at one time is not limited to a certain number, but should always follow the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention in order to not increase risk to other residents. This includes:
  • All visitors must wear a facemask masks (a gaiter or face shield are not acceptable alternatives), practice physical distancing by keeping at least 6 feet between people, and practice hand hygiene often during visits.
  • Visitors must be pre-screened before entering. Visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine, should not enter a facility. Facilities should be screening all who enter for these visitation exclusions.
  • Facilities should ensure that physical distancing can be maintained, especially during peak times of visitation such as at lunch time, after business hours, etc.
  • Large gatherings should be avoided, such as parties and events where large numbers of visitors are in the same space at the same time and physical distancing cannot be maintained.
  • Visits should take place in the resident’s room, visitor lounge, or in outside areas, unless a resident’s roommate is unvaccinated or immunocompromised (regardless of vaccination status), in which case visits should not be conducted in the resident’s room if possible.
  • Outdoor visitation is preferred when the resident and/or visitor are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • Virtual visitation by phone or video calls and “window visits” where available are still encouraged.

Families with questions should contact the specific facility for guidance on that location’s current support person visitation approach. Visit our individual Senior Communities residence websites for location-specific details.

In addition to visitor restrictions, UPMC is continuing to safely reintroduce essential, approved volunteers in our hospitals. They will support areas that provide facility safety and positive experiences for patients and staff. Volunteers will not have contact with COVID-19 patients or patients who are suspected of having COVID-19. We are committed to protecting the safety of our volunteers and all others in our facilities.

On-site volunteers:

• Must be 15 years of age or older. Individual programs may vary, with some requiring volunteers to be 18 or older.
• 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.
  • A gaiter or face shield are not acceptable alternatives to a facemask.
• Must follow COVID-19 prevention protocols, including frequent handwashing, sanitation, and proper social distancing.

Permitted volunteer activities include:

• Patient-facing positions, such as screener/greeter, front desk support, safety guidelines monitor, liaison for outpatient support persons, infant cuddlers, etc.
• Administrative support, such as phone and clerical support, staffing information, mailroom support, distributing equipment and supplies, etc.

You may contact hospital-based Volunteer Services departments for details specific to local programs.

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

Providers deemed essential to a patient's care and well-being, and vendors necessary for patient care and/or hospital operations, may enter facilities in some circumstances.

If possible, interactions with vendors should continue to be done via virtual options. If having a vendor on-site would have direct benefit to patient care, operations, and/or supports a strategic initiative, vendor visits can be coordinated on a case-by-case basis with hospital leadership. On-site vendors are required to abide by all masking and social distancing requirements in each of our facilities.

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.

Hospice and Home Care Providers

• Hospice and home care providers may be essential health care providers in long-term care settings where nursing and clinical staff are not providing around-the-clock care. This includes 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 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 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 the local command center.
  • Police, when needed.
  • Specialty pharmacies and durable medical equipment (DME) providers, for discharges.

We will provide regular updates as we continually evaluate vendors who may enter our facilities as operational needs grow.