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 and patients have the option of not wearing masks while inside inpatient or exam rooms.
- 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.