COVID-19 updates, including vaccine information, for our patients and visitors Learn More

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Visitor Restrictions for Hospitals, Emergency Department and Clinics

Calling or Checking Patient Status

  • 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.

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 that has been in effect since Aug. 11, 2021.

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:

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; 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: The number of visitors that patients are allowed is still limited at UC San Diego Health facilities:

  • Patients who have been admitted to the hospital ("inpatients") can have two visitors or support people per day. These two visitors can change from day to day, but no more than two named visitors can visit in a single day.
    • Note: Patients in critical condition where death may be imminent may have two visitors at a time. These visitors can switch throughout the day, but no more than two visitors may be present at once. Other visitors will be asked to wait outside of the facility and only enter when the previous two visitors have left.
  • 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.
  • Patients who have COVID-19 or who are suspected of having COVID-19 can have visitors only if approved in advance.

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

Visiting hours

You can visit a patient from 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

  • 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 are required to wear a mask or face covering 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 remain in the patient's room or exam room and comply with any instructions related to physical distancing from staff or other patients.
  • 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