Updated Visitor Restrictions for Hospitals, Emergency Department and Clinics

We believe families and other loved ones are an important part of the healing process. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), we must take extra steps to protect our patients, staff, visitors and community. As a result, all routine visitation at our hospitals and clinics is suspended until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat.

We encourage people to stay connected with their loved ones through electronic means such as phone, Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp.

See exceptions for:

• Inpatient Rooms (Acute Care)
• Emergency Department
• Outpatient Appointments (Ambulatory Care)

Please be aware that:

• Patients who qualify for an exception to visitor restrictions may have 1 designated visitor per day. The designated visitor can change from day to day, but only 1 person can visit the patient each day.
• Visitors who are permitted must stay in the patient’s room for the duration of their visit. Once the visitor leaves the patient room, they must leave the medical center.
• All visitors to any hospital or clinic will go through a health screening for the following respiratory symptoms: fever, new cough or new shortness of breath. Anyone with a positive screen will not be able to enter.
• Visitors will not be allowed for patients with a pending or positive COVID-19 test.

In all cases, the following individuals are restricted from visiting any areas:

• Children 12 and under (unless they are a patient)
• People with any of the respiratory symptoms
• Anyone who has had contact with an individual who is being ruled out or was diagnosed with COVID-19
• Those who have traveled to high-risk countries outside of the United States in the past 14 days

Exceptions to Visitation Restrictions

We recognize there are times when having a visitor is crucial to our mission of delivering exceptional care. In these cases, visitors will be allowed based on the exceptions below.

Inpatient Rooms (Acute Care)

• Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients may have 1 parent.
• Labor and Delivery patients may have 1 accompanying birth support person.
• Patients who are at the end of life may have 2 visitors.
• Patients with disruptive behavior, developmental delays or altered mental status where a caregiver provides safety or comfort may have 1 visitor.
• Minors under age 18 may have 1 accompanying support person.
• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures may have 1 visitor on the day of consent, day of procedure/surgery, and day of discharge.
• Patients who require a home caregiver to be trained for ongoing home care may have 1 visitor for the training. The caregiver must stay in the designated room for the duration of the visit.

Emergency Department (ER)

• All patients and visitors entering ERs will be screened for respiratory symptoms prior to entry into the facility.
• Any patient presenting with respiratory symptoms is required to wear a mask upon entry.
• Any accompanying individual with a positive screen for respiratory symptoms will be denied entry.
• For patients suspected of having COVID-19 or who test positive for COVID-19, no accompanying individuals will be permitted.
• For pediatric patients (regardless of COVID-19 status), 1 accompanying support person will be permitted.
• Adult patients are permitted 1 support person.

Outpatient Appointments (Ambulatory Care)

• Only patients with appointments are permitted into waiting areas, treatment areas, or examination rooms (except for patients restricted above).
• Patients who require a home caregiver to be trained for ongoing home care may have 1 visitor for the training. The caregiver must stay in the designated room for the duration of the visit.

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 hospital locations. 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. Due to concerns about COVID-19, deliveries of gifts to patient rooms are suspended. This includes items sent from outside the hospitals.

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 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