Visitor Restrictions for Hospitals, Emergency Department and Clinics

Note: UC San Diego Health staff, please refer to Visitor Policies on Pulse (staff log-in required).

We believe families, friends and loved ones are an important part of the healing process for our patients. However, as part of our commitment to managing and minimizing COVID-19 exposure, and in accordance with local and state guidelines, we have taken extra steps to protect our patients, staff, visitors and community by suspending routine patient visitation at our hospitals.

Exceptions for certain types of units or patients are detailed below. All visitors who are allowed through these exceptions will be:

• Screened for symptoms of COVID-19
• Asked to observe visiting hours of 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Required to wear a mask or face covering
  

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

Visitor Screening

Upon entering any UC San Diego Health facility, all visitors will be asked if they are experiencing the following COVID-19 symptoms:

• Fever
• New cough
• New shortness of breath
• Loss of smell or taste

The following are restricted from visiting any areas:

• Those with a fever or other COVID-19 symptoms (listed above)
• Children 12 and under (unless they are a patient)
• Anyone who has had contact with a person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 or pending testing

Exceptions to Visitation Restrictions

We recognize there are times when allowing visitors is crucial to our mission of delivering exceptional care. In these cases, visitors are permitted between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. based on the exceptions below.

Inpatient Rooms

• Intensive Care Unit (ICU): 1 visitor during patient's care within ICU. Patients on transmission-based precautions for infectious diseases may not have visitors. Note: Once an ICU patient improves and transitions to standard inpatient hospital care, visitation will be discontinued in accordance with the visitation guidelines. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in abiding by these restrictions and protecting all of our patients and team members.
• Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU): 2 parents or guardians
• Labor and Delivery: 1 visitor for the duration of the hospital stay for delivery. Postpartum mothers who are readmitted can be accompanied by their baby and a support person throughout their hospital stay.
  Please note: This is a change from the previous policy that allowed a visitor and a private doula for labor support. Due to increased COVID-19 concerns, private doulas are now allowed only if they are the 1 visitor / support person for the patient throughout the hospital stay. You may still request an on-call volunteer doula from UC San Diego's Hearts & Hands Program on admission. Volunteer doulas are provided as available.
  
• Patients at the end of life: 2 visitors. If patients who are at the end of life have a pending or positive COVID-19 test, their 2 visitors must adhere to requirements for personal protective equipment.
• Patients with behavioral issues, developmental delays, dementia or altered mental status: 1 visitor
• Pediatric patients (under the age of 21): 1 visitor
• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures: 1 visitor on the day of consent, day of procedure/surgery, and day of discharge. Visitors will not be allowed to remain in surgery prep or surgery recovery areas while the patient is in surgery.
  
• Patients whose treatment plan requires caregiver education or training: 1 visitor for the purpose of completing that training
• "Goals of care" discussions: 1 visitor permitted for discussions with treatment team

In all cases, visitors must stay in the patient's room except when leaving to go to the restroom or cafeteria. Visitors who get food from the cafeteria must return to the patient’s room with it. Once visitors end their visit and exit the room, they must immediately leave the medical facility.

Emergency Department (ER)

• Adult patients: 1 visitor. Patients who are suspected of having COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 may not have visitors.
• Pediatric patients (under the age of 18): 1 visitor, regardless of the patient's COVID-19 status.

Outpatient Appointments (Ambulatory Care)

• Pediatric patients (under the age of 18): 1 visitor.
• Infants (12 months and younger): 2 visitors.
• Visitors are not permitted in waiting areas, treatment areas or examination rooms unless an exception has been granted. Limited exceptions are granted on an individual basis and should be discussed with the treatment team prior to a patient's appointment.

Moores Cancer Center and Cancer Services Locations

• Pediatric patients (under the age of 18): 1 visitor.
• Visitors are not permitted in clinic areas, infusion centers or radiation treatment areas unless an exception has been granted. Limited exceptions are granted on an individual basis and should be discussed with the treatment team prior to a patient's appointment.

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