Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Visitor Restrictions
Visitor Policy Changes at UChicago Medicine for COVID-19
For the protection of our patients, staff, and community, we will continue restrictions on visitation to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Visitor restrictions are evaluated on an ongoing basis under the guidance of our infectious diseases experts, in consultation with state and city public health officials.
Visitor Restrictions
Last updated: May 22, 2023
Visitor access is limited and outlined below. In some cases, visitor access may not be allowed at all. Limited exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
- Masking: Masks are welcomed at the University of Chicago Medicine and may be mandatory in certain spaces within our medical facilities as well as for some patients, visitors and staff. These policies and guidelines are subject to change. In addition, as a patient, you and your family can request that your healthcare providers wear masks during appointments or during your hospital stay. Let our teams know about this request when you check in and you will be given a teal sticker to wear. Visit our masking page for the latest information.
- Entryway health screening: Visitors will be required to undergo a health screening. Anyone with a fever, cough, or flu-like illness will not be allowed to visit patients or accompany them to appointments. Visitors who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 10 days will not be allowed. No visitors under 18 will be allowed.
- Social distancing: To ensure there is adequate, safe space for the increased foot traffic, visitors for adult and pediatric patients must stay either in patient rooms or the Sky Café on the 7th floor of the Center for Care and Discovery. Otherwise, they must be outside the buildings.
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Dining: Hours and options of some on-campus dining options may be limited.
Additional restrictions for adult patients:
- Inpatient units: Adult inpatients may have multiple visitors each day. Visitors are allowed to be interchanged on any given day. The number of visitors allowed at the bedside at any one time is two.
- Adult inpatients who are positive for COVID-19, or adult inpatients under investigation for COVID-19 infection, may have one adult visitor.
- Emergency department: Patient may have one visitor once they are in a emergency department treatment room.
- Procedural and surgical areas: Patients may have two visitors pre-procedure and in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) on CCD 5 & 6. Patients having outpatient procedures in DCAM will be able to have one visitor.
- Labor and delivery: For the latest updates, read our Family Birth Center visitor guidelines.
University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital Visitor Restrictions
For the latest updates, read our Comer Children's visitor guidelines.
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital Visitor Restrictions
Last updated: February 24, 2023:
At UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey:
- Two visitors are allowed per patient per day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Adult inpatients who are positive for COVID-19, or adult inpatients under investigation for COVID-19 infection, may have one adult visitor.
- The visitors are allowed to come and go from the hospital during the designated visitor hours, but are encouraged to stay in the patient’s room or with the patient during their visit. Additionally, the visitors cannot swap out with another visitor during the course of a day.
- Visitors must consent to a COVID-19 entrance screening and attest that they are free of symptoms.
Limited exemptions to our visitor policy will be granted in extreme circumstances, such as end-of-life care.
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Ambulatory Care Clinics Visitor Restrictions
One visitor is allowed in the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial ambulatory care clinics with the following exceptions:
- In cases where an additional assistant or caregiver is required for a patient, that person may be asked to wait in a designated area and/or in their vehicle after assisting the patient to the Registration Desk.
- At the Urgent Aid locations (Flossmoor, Tinley Park and Calumet City) one visitor is allowed per patient.
- Anyone with a fever, cough or flu-like symptoms may not enter the clinics unless they are seeking care.
All safety rules posted in the clinics must be followed.
Limited exceptions may be granted.
We do not make these decisions lightly, but believe they are a necessary step to protect our patients, their families, our healthcare workers, and the community during a public health crisis. We understand that these restrictions will create a significant hardship for many people, but we ask for your understanding and cooperation during this difficult time.
Frequently Asked Questions about Patient Care
In addition to in-person visits, we are also offering video visits, which allow you to see and talk with your provider through the camera on your phone or your computer to assess your condition and discuss a course of treatment. If you have an upcoming appointment with your provider, you may be contacted to set up a video visit. In some cases, we still need to see you in person and, if so, we will do everything to ensure your safety.
In addition to video visits, you can also connect with your provider remotely through e-visits or online second opinions.
Virtual visits are not for emergencies. If you have an urgent medical need, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department or urgent care facility. All patients who are able should utilize their online patient portal (MyChart or Ingalls Care Connection) to communicate with their care teams.
First and foremost, if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 — which include fever, muscle and body aches, cough and sore throat — stay at home, self-isolate and rest. You may also complete a MyChart screening questionnaire. Our providers will determine if you are eligible to be tested.
Monitor your temperature and drink plenty of fluids. Continue to wash your hands often, disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home and stay away from other people as much as possible. If your condition worsens, reach out to your doctor. This is particularly important if you experience more severe symptoms, are over 60, or have additional health issues. People with hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes, who have weak immune systems, who smoke, with underlying lung disease, or who take medicines to suppress their immune systems because they have cancer or an autoimmune condition are at higher risk for COVID-19.
You’ll need to stay home for 72 hours after you recover.
Testing is available for those with COVID-19 symptoms, which include fever, cough, stuffy nose, sinus pain, difficulty breathing, inability to smell or taste and body aches. However, you must be screened before you can be tested. Complete a MyChart screening questionnaire. Our providers will determine if you are eligible to be tested.
COVID-19 testing is not available without an appointment. Swab collection visits typically take several minutes to complete. You will receive information on how to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms after your visit and will get follow-up phone calls with your test results in one to two days.
The hospital and emergency room should be used by people who are concerned about life-threatening symptoms, such as trouble breathing and chest pain. If you’re just a little bit sick, the best thing you can do is self-isolate and try to keep the virus from spreading to others. You should also get test for COVID-19.
If you are over 60 and have other chronic medical problems in addition to less-severe symptoms of the virus, you should consider contacting your doctor to see if they recommend you go to the emergency room.
Yes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor restrictions are in place at this time. Limited exceptions will be granted on a case-by-case basis. We recommend calling ahead and checking with your patient's clinical team.
These visitation restrictions will continue until our infectious diseases experts, in consultation with state and city public health officials, determine it is safe to resume hospital visitation on a limited basis.
Yes. Our surgeons are offering virtual video and telephone visits to help you plan for upcoming operations, answer your questions and prepare you for in-person visits to the medical center. Use the below link to find more information on each surgical specialty area.
Yes. Visit our dining options page to learn more about on-campus eateries. Please note: some options may only be available for carry out.
Yes. For hours and location info, visit our pharmacy support and information page.