University of Utah Health announced a revised visiting policy for its hospitals and clinics on May 10, 2021. The organization stated that while the support of friends and family is an important part of healing, it was necessary to balance that belief with the need to protect patients, visitors, and staff from the potential spread of COVID-19.
Under the policy, all individuals accompanying patients to University of Utah Health facilities were required to be free of COVID-19 symptoms. Both patients and companions were required to wear a face mask at all times while inside the facilities, though bandanas, buffs, and neck gaiters were not considered adequate face coverings.
For inpatients, two healthy individuals aged 18 or older were permitted to be present in a room at a time between 9:00am and 9:00pm. These individuals could be replaced by others on the same visiting day. For scheduled surgeries or procedures, two healthy individuals aged 18 or older could accompany a patient for the entirety of the procedure.
For ambulatory and COVID-19 vaccine clinics, two healthy individuals aged 12 or older could accompany a patient to scheduled appointments. In these settings, adults could attend visits for themselves or a child with multiple children under age 12.
Specific protocols were established for patients with active COVID-19. In these cases, up to two healthy individuals aged 18 or older could accompany a patient for the duration of the hospitalization following screening and authorization by the nursing inpatient unit. These individuals were required to remain in the patient's room, wear required PPE, and meet specific health or vaccination criteria.
In the Emergency Department, one healthy individual was allowed to accompany a patient. If a patient was admitted, the support individual could stay for the check-in process. If admission occurred after visiting hours, the individual could accompany the patient to the admitting unit to review a welcome packet before returning during normal hours.
The policy included exceptions for end-of-life treatment, where up to six individuals could be present each day to support a patient, with no more than two in the room at a time. For childbirth, two healthy adults were permitted to be present during labor, delivery, and the postpartum stay, with one additional healthy adult allowed during visiting hours from 9:00am to 9:00pm. Newborns could be visited by two healthy adults at any time.
At the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, adult and youth patients isolated with COVID-19 were not permitted to have visitors. For adult patients at the institute, two designated healthy adults aged 18 or older could visit each day if arrangements were made with a unit coordinator. Youth patients could be visited by two healthy adult guardians aged 18 or older each day when scheduled with a unit coordinator.
University of Utah Health stated it would regularly review and update the visiting policy as needed, which could include the addition of more restrictive guidelines.
