Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates for UC San Diego Health patients and visitors. Learn More

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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 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. 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.

Calling or Checking the Status of a Patient

  • To call a patient at any UC San Diego Health hospital or check on their status, call 858-657-7000 and ask for the patient by name.
  • If you are a member of the media who is checking the status of a hospital patient, please see Contacts for Journalists.

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 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

  • Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients may have 1 parent or guardian.
  • Labor and Delivery patients may have 1 UC San Diego Health doula for labor support and 1 accompanying birth support person for the duration of the hospital stay.
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients may have 1 visitor, except for those who are on transmission-based precautions for infectious diseases.
  • Patients who are at the end of life may have 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, or patients who are intubated and/or sedated, may have 1 visitor.
  • Pediatric patients (under the age of 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. 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 may have 1 visitor for the purpose of completing that training.
  • Patients may have 1 visitor present for "goals of care" discussions with treatment team.

In all cases, visitors must remain in the patient's room. They may leave the patient's room only to use the restroom or get food from the cafeteria. If visitors go to the cafeteria, they must return to the patient’s room with the food. Once visitors end their visit and exit the room, they must immediately leave the medical facility.

Emergency Department (ER)

  • Adult patients may have 1 accompanying visitor, except for patients who are suspected of having COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Pediatric patients (under the age of 18) may have 1 accompanying support person, regardless of the patient's COVID-19 status.

Outpatient Appointments (Ambulatory Care)

  • 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.
  • Pediatric patients (under the age of 18) may have 1 accompanying support person.
  • Infants (12 months and younger) may have 2 accompanying support people.

Moores Cancer Center and Cancer Services Locations

  • 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.
  • Pediatric patients (under the age of 18) may have 1 accompanying support person.

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