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  1. UAMS Health
  2. COVID-19
  3. Hospital Visitor Safety Guidelines

Hospital Visitor Safety Guidelines

Last modified: September 8, 2023
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Visitor Guidelines for COVID-19 Negative Patients as of September 1, 2023

Masking may be required in certain areas.

Hospital patients:

  • Up to three visitors at a time
  • 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 during visiting hours
  • One adult may stay overnight with adult (non-ICU) patients in the patient room
  • Patients near the end of life may have up to four visitors 24/7

Visiting Hours are 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Neonatal ICU (NICU) patients:

  • Check in at the nursing desk on the 5th floor for a visitor badge
  • Siblings under age 12 who pass a health screening may visit from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Check with your nurse about staying overnight in the baby’s room

Visiting hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

End of life patients:

  • Allowed up to four visitors

Visiting hours are 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week

Patients with outpatient appointment:

  • No visitor restrictions

Emergency Department patients:

  • Two visitors per patient at a time (age 12 and older)
  • In emergency situations, and with approval from the patient’s care team, children under 12 may be allowed
  • One visitor at a time if the patient is COVID-19 positive or being tested for COVID-19 due to symptoms. Visitor must read the notice of risks and wear a mask, gloves, gown, and eye protection and must remain in patient’s room unless asked to leave the room for certain procedures

Patients having surgery or procedures are allowed:

  • Visitors are welcome during normal operating hours for each surgery and procedure area
  • Visitors must be age 12 or 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 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 visitor (18 and older) at a time during visiting hours
  • 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
  • Patients near end of life may have up to four adult visitors at a time
  • No overnight stays unless patient is near end of life

Visiting hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

End of life patients are allowed:

  • Patients near end of life may have up to four adult visitors at a time
  • Overnight stays are permitted

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. Visitor must read the notice of risks and wear a mask, gloves, gown, and eye protection and must remain in patient’s room unless asked to leave the room for certain procedures

*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.

  • Staff may ask visitors to leave for the safety and comfort of patients at any time.
  • High-risk areas such as intensive care units, the NICU, cancer treatment areas may require visitors to wear a mask.
  • 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 smart phones, 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

Attachments

UAMS Visitor Guidelines 0923[81]
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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.
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Phone: (501) 686-7000
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