Visitor Guidance for UAB Medicine

ALL HOSPITAL AND CLINIC SITES
UPDATED NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Visitor Guidelines for all UAB Medicine Hospital and Clinic Sites

UAB Medicine recognizes the importance of caregivers in the healing process for our patients. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recommend continuing to limit visitors to UAB Medicine in order to reduce possible exposure to COVID-19, particularly when community transmission levels are high. This updated guidance reflects both high levels of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity and the availability of effective treatments and prevention tools for COVID-19. All visiting caregivers must adhere to the following:

• Those who are COVID-positive should not visit patients. 
• Masks should be worn in UAB Medicine facilities by those who have had contact with anyone within the past 10 days who has COVID-19 or by those who have any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, body aches new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, or congestion.
• In general, up to 2 visitors at a time are allowed in a patient room where space permits. Certain exceptions depending on patient needs will be determined by the care team.
• The patient has the right to refuse or limit visitation.
• Visitors must practice appropriate hand hygiene and limit the touching of surfaces in patient care areas.
• Designated entrances will only be open between 5 am and 8 pm. No visitation is allowed after 8 pm. Any emergency needs should be escalated to Guest Services at its 24/7 locations (University Emergency Department, UAB Hospital-Highlands Emergency Department, Women and Infants Center, and the second floor of the North Pavilion).

Exceptions to this visitor policy are listed below and are based on patient care needs or space limitations:

• Emergency Departments – 1 caregiver per patient due to space limitations

• Center for Psychiatric Medicine – Visitors by appointment only, according to the therapeutic plan

• COVID-Positive or Person Under Investigation (PUI)
  • During their first visit, caregivers will receive education on personal protective equipment (PPE) and guidance to help ensure a safe patient visit. The caregiver must wear PPE supplied by the facility and follow current facility guidelines.
  • Only one caregiver is allowed per block of time.
  • Caregivers cannot be present during aerosol-generating procedures.
  • Caregivers are encouraged to stay in the patient’s room.
• Obstetrics and Neonatal Areas
  • Children 12 years old and younger will not be allowed to visit during flu season (October 1 – March 31)
• Labor and Delivery
  • A maximum of 5 visitors in the labor and delivery rooms
  • 2  support persons present for during delivery
  • 1 support person in OR for non-general anesthesia cases

• Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit/Critical Care Nursery: 
  • Parents (mother, father/significant other) and 4 designated caregivers may visit at any time, 24 hours a day
  • Daily visitors may visit between the hours of 8 am to 10 pm when accompanied by a parent
  • The number of visitors allowed at the bedside at any given time may be restricted based on acuity of the patient, space available in the room, and /or any seasonal restriction affecting visitation guidelines
  • Sibling visitation is limited to 8 am – 10 pm as children may not stay overnight in neonatal areas

• Infusion Therapy/Apheresis Services
  • The Infusion Clinic can accommodate one seated visitor during a patient’s treatment. The visitor must be age 12 or older and is encouraged to ask questions about the patient’s treatment.
  • Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the infusion waiting room or patient care areas.
  • Exceptions to the visitor policy can be made and will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the patient’s nurse or the nursing supervisor. If the clinic is crowded, or if patient safety could be affected, we may not be able to accommodate a family member or other visitor.
  • The patient has the right to refuse or limit visitation.

• Spain Rehabilitation
  • Two visitors are permitted anytime until 8:30 pm. Visitors must stay in the patient’s room unless they are scheduled to participate in caregiver training in the gyms.
  • After 8:30 pm, one adult, 18 years or older, may stay with the patient.