Visiting the NICU

Visiting Hours

Due to COVID-19 (Corona Virus) visitation is currently restricted. Our Infection Prevention department is closely monitoring community transmission rates and restrictions will be relaxed or lifted when we can do so safely.

The UAMS Women and Infant Service Line staff are dedicated to providing excellent care for you and your baby.
Because safety is a priority for us, we have made some changes to our standard visitation and unit guidelines as we deal with public health and patient safety concerns related to COVID-19. We want this to be a safe place for you, our mothers and infants. Everyone has a huge role in helping us reach this goal. THESE RULES MAY BE CHANGED AT ANY
TIME, AS NECESSARY TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND PATIENT SAFETY. To help ensure the safety of everyone on the unit and to ensure you enjoy your stay with us, here is a current list of some of the safety measures we will use on our unit:

1. Only one visitor will be able to stay for the duration of labor and up to 48 hours post-partum. There will be no swapping-out of visitors.
2. Only one visitor will be able to stay in the NICU throughout the infant’s hospital stay. This will either be the mother or a person designated by the mother. There is no swapping out of visitors.
3. Visitors must wear a mask at all times.
4. L&D and Postpartum visitors will not be allowed to leave the room under any circumstances. This includes smoking or going out to get food. NICU visitors may use the restrooms, showers and microwaves on the NICU and should stay in the vicinity of their baby’s room. UAMS will provide guest meal trays. Please advise NICU staff assisting you of any known food allergies.
5. All visitors will be asked health screening questions every 4 hours by a staff member.
6. All visitors will have their temperature checked by a staff member, and this will be recorded on the visitor log.
7. No visitors may use a CPAP machine while in the hospital.
   If a mother is discharged before her baby, she will be allowed to stay on E6 with her baby, and no other visitors will be allowed. after the post-partum visitor’s 48-hour visitation has expired.?

• Please check-in at the nursery front desk when you arrive. All parents and visitors who enter the NICU must be in good health.
• Please do not visit if you feel ill at all, which includes:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Rash
• Remember to wash your hands before and after touching or holding your baby. There are also hand gel dispensers and device-cleaning stations (with wipes for your cell phone or other devices) around the unit.

Appropriate behavior is expected of all parents and visitors. Raised voices, foul or abusive language, or other disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

An ID badge must be worn in the NICU at all times, and visitor badges are required in all other maternal and infant areas.

Other Guidelines

• Please keep your cell phones on vibrate or silent when in the baby’s room, to help us keep noise levels to a minimum.
• UAMS is a smoke-free campus. This includes e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
• Please keep your personal items in the family area of your baby’s room. UAMS is not responsible for lost or stolen items, so please keep your valuables with you at all times.
• Certain appliances may not be used in the baby’s room. These include, but are not limited to, the following: hairdryers, curling irons, fans, and separate TVs or gaming stations. If you have any questions about other devices or equipment, please check with your baby’s nurse.
• Home infant safety or monitoring devices that have not been approved by the UAMS Clinical Engineering Department may not be used in the NICU.
• Please do not tape or otherwise mount anything to the painted walls or cabinets in your baby’s room, as this can damage the walls and surfaces.