Visitor Restrictions for Hospitals, Emergency Departments and Clinics

Visitors to our hospitals or acute care facilities need to show proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test done within the past 72 hours. Please see below for more information about how to show proof, which locations are affected and any exceptions. This requirement is due to a state health order.

In addition, the number of visitors to all UC San Diego Health hospitals and clinics is limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, and children younger than 12 years of age are not allowed. All visitors must follow certain guidelines, including wearing a face mask. See Visitor Guidelines below for details.

COVID-19 Vaccine or Testing Requirements for Visitors

COVID-19 vaccination verification or proof of a negative test is required if you are visiting someone who is having surgery or staying overnight at one of these UC San Diego Health locations:

• UC San Diego Medical Center, Hillcrest
• Jacobs Medical Center (including Thornton Pavilion), La Jolla
• Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, La Jolla
  

In addition, the same is required for all visitors to Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla (all areas, including Infusion Center and clinics) to protect immunocompromised patients.

Vaccination or testing is not required to accompany patients to appointments at other UC San Diego Health facilities, including most outpatient clinics.

Exemptions and temporary exceptions:

• A temporary exception (generally not exceeding 72 hours) may be granted during urgent or emergency circumstances for visitors accompanying the following patients: People seeking urgent or emergency care; labor and delivery patients during the initial triage process; pediatric patients (parent or guardian); and patients with a physical, intellectual or developmental disability where a visitor's presence is required as a reasonable accommodation.
• Visitors for patients in critical condition where death may be imminent are exempt from this requirement.

How to Show Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test

Fully vaccinated visitors can show proof of vaccination with one of these state-approved methods:

1. Preferred method: Digital vaccine record, which you can retrieve via your MyUCSDChart account (if you were vaccinated at UC San Diego Health) or from the state website (if you were vaccinated anywhere in California)
   
2. COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (issued by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control & Prevention or WHO Yellow Card), which includes the name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided and the date of last dose administered 
3. Photo of Vaccination Record Card as a separate document
4. Photo of Vaccination Record Card stored on a phone or electronic device
5. Documentation of COVID-19 vaccination from a health care provider

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors will need to bring documentation of a negative COVID-19 test performed within 72 hours of your visit. The test must be performed with an FDA-authorized test or a CLIA-certified lab. Visitors can schedule a COVID-19 test at UC San Diego Health if desired.

Visitor Guidelines

Number of visitors:

• Most patients who have been admitted to the hospital ("inpatients") or are having surgery can have two visitors or support persons at a time. These visitors can change from day to day. Visitors who don't follow instructions will be asked to leave.

  Some floors or areas may have policies that differ slightly. Please check with your care providers. Exceptions include:

  • Labor & Delivery, postpartum and antepartum patients are allowed two designated visitors or support persons. They must be the same individuals for the entire hospital stay and cannot change from day to day. Patients may request a UC San Diego Health volunteer doula upon admission or have a personal doula who will count as one of their two designated visitors.
  • The two visitors for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients must be parents or guardians.
  • Patients who have COVID-19 or who are suspected of having COVID-19 can have only one visitor at their bedside at a time, and their visitors must wear KN95 masks. We'll supply a KN95 mask if they request it.
• Patients at most medical appointments, outpatient procedures or emergency room visits ("outpatients") can have one visitor or support person.
  
• Some areas are still not allowing visitors in order to protect patient safety:
• Apheresis and chronic dialysis units: Visitors are not permitted to accompany patients to appointments unless an exception is approved in advance.
  

Guidelines: All visitors and support people will be subject to these guidelines:

• Visitors will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 at all hospitals. At some clinics, patients will be asked to self-screen for symptoms.
• All visitors must be 12 years or older, unless an exception has been granted. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Visitors are required to wear a face mask at all times while in our facilities, and they must comply with any instructions related to personal protective equipment (PPE). Learn more about our face mask guidelines.
• Visitors must comply with any instructions related to physical distancing (6 feet or more) from staff or other patients.
  
• Visitors must remain in the patient’s room and can leave the room only to go to the restroom, cafeteria or exit the hospital.
• Visitors for COVID-19 patients should not eat or drink in the patient’s room, and can only leave the room to use the restroom or exit the hospital.
• Visitors should leave the medical facility right away after finishing their visit.

We also encourage people to stay connected with their loved ones through electronic means such as phone, Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp. ADA service animals may accompany visitors and patients.

Other Hospital Information

Food Services

Learn more about meal services, cafés and vending machines.

Lodging Options

There are a variety of lodging options near both of our hospital locations in Hillcrest and La Jolla. View more information on lodging near UC San Diego Health.

Gifts for Patients

Reading materials, flowers, gifts and toiletries are all available at the gift shop.

Use of Cellphones

Patients and visitors may use cellphones in most areas of the hospital. Cellphones are not allowed in certain restricted areas with “no cell phone” signs. As a courtesy to others, please turn your cellphone ringer down low or set it to vibrate.

Picture/video and audio recording features may not be used in any area of the hospital. Note that sometimes your doctors or nurses may need to speak on their cellphones to address clinical issues. Photos of patients with family and/or care team members are permitted only with the verbal consent of all individuals who are part of the picture, and if it doesn’t violate the privacy of other patients or staff.

Security Services/Lost and Found

If you have questions or concerns about safety while visiting patients, day or night, or have lost or found an item, please call our Security Services Office. For the Security Services Office at UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest, call 619-543-3762; for Jacobs Medical Center (including Thornton Pavilion) in La Jolla, call 858-657-6420.

ATM Locations

• Hillcrest
  • UC San Diego Medical Center: First-floor hallway by the Emergency Department
• La Jolla
  • Jacobs Medical Center/ Thornton Pavilion: The Cove cafe, first floor (walk through checkout area, and the ATM is in a room to the right)
  • Moores Cancer Center: Second-floor hallway near restrooms