Hospital Visitor Safety Guidelines
February 22, 2023
Visitor Guidelines for COVID-19 Negative Patients as of February 22, 2023
Masking may be required in certain areas.
Hospital patients are allowed:
- Up to three visitors at a time (age 12 and older)
- Visitors may swap out during visiting hours
- All visitors under 18 must be with an adult (other than the
- patient) at all times
- With approval from the patient’s care team, children under 12 may be allowed for a brief visit during visiting hours
- Overnight visitors must spend the night in the patient room.
- 1 Adult overnight visitor allowed
Visiting Hours are 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Neonatal ICU (NICU) patients are allowed:
- One parent + one support person and up to four designated visitors for stay
- Up to three visitors at a time (age 12 and older)
- All visitors under 18 must be with an adult (other than the patient) at all times
- With approval from the patient’s care team, children under 12 may be allowed for a brief visit during visiting hours
- 2 Adult overnight visitors allowed
Visiting hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
End of life patients are allowed:
- Up to four visitors at a time
- Visitors may swap out
- All visitors under 18 must be with an adult (other than the patient) at all times
- With approval from the patient’s care team, children under 12 may be allowed for a brief visit during visiting hours
- 1 Adult overnight visitor allowed
Visiting hours are 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week
Patients with outpatient appointments are allowed:
- No restrictions on the number of visitors
Emergency Department patients are allowed:
- Two visitors per patient visit (age 12 and older)
- Visitors may swap out
- In emergency situations, and with approval from the patient’s care team, children under 12 who can wear a mask may be allowed
- Visitors must sign out of the Guest Tracking System and exit through the Emergency Department when leaving the hospital. Visitors must re-enter through the main lobby if the patient is admitted
Patients having surgery or procedures are allowed:
- Up to three visitors at a time (age 12 and older)
- All visitors under 18 must be with an adult (other than the patient) at all times. Must be 18 or older to enter pre-op and post-op areas
- Visitors may swap out during visiting hours
Visitors are allowed during normal hours of operation
Visitor Guidelines for COVID-19 Positive Patients
Patients who are not hospitalized for “End of Life” care are allowed:
- One adult (age 18 and older) visitor at a time
- Up to two hours in the room per visit
- Must remain in patient’s room unless asked to leave the room for certain procedures
- Must read the notice of risks and wear appropriate PPE at all times while with the patient. PPE includes a mask, gloves, gown, and eye protection
- No overnight visitors allowed
Visiting hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
End of life patients are allowed:
- Four designated adult visitors
- Up to four visitors at a time
- Must remain in patient’s room unless asked to leave the room for certain procedures
- Must read the notice of risks and wear appropriate PPE at all times while with the patient. PPE includes a mask, gloves, gown, and eye protection
- Visitors may swap out
Visiting hours are 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week
Emergency Department Patients are allowed:
- One visitor at a time if the patient is COVID-19 positive or being tested for COVID-19 due to symptoms. Visitors may swap out
- Must remain in patient’s room unless asked to leave the room for certain procedures
- Must read the notice of risks and wear appropriate PPE at all times while with the patient. PPE includes a mask, gloves, gown, and eye protection
*Stem Cell, NICU, Labor & Delivery, and Psychiatric Institute patients may have additional guidelines. Ask your care team for more information. Clinical team members may make exceptions based on patients’ clinical needs.
- A clergy member or religious or spiritual support person may visit patients in addition to the visitors outlined above.
- High-risk areas such as intensive care units, the NICU, cancer treatment areas may require visitors to wear a face mask.
- Hospital and Emergency Department visitors must wear a Guest Tracking System badge with their name and photo at all times.
- Visitors may leave UAMS and return the same day during visiting hours.
- Visitors who have respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, loss of taste or smell or who have tested positive for COVID in the past 10 days are not allowed at UAMS.
- Visitors to non-COVID patients are welcome in all UAMS dining locations during visiting hours.
- Visitors may not use a CPAP machine while in the hospital as this puts those around them at increased risk of infection.
- Patients and visitors are encouraged to use smartphones, tablets, and other technologies to keep patients engaged with others.
Visitors who do not follow these guidelines will be asked to leave UAMS.
UAMS strongly recommends that visitors be fully vaccinated and boosted.
All visitation exceptions outlined in the UAMS Visitor Guidelines are made pursuant to A.C.A. § 20-6-401 et. seq., The No Patient Left Alone Ac
Some of these documents have been developed based on current needs and experiences. UAMS is an entity of the state which may have different requirements under federal and state law than your hospital, doctors, and other providers. This information is provided as a public service in response to continuing questions from various community providers. All information is subject to change as our response to this pandemic challenge continues. Consult your practice or facility leadership before adopting any practices or protocols provided here.