Appointments & Visitation

Learn about our COVID-19 hospital visitor policies and updates for your upcoming appointments and procedures

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We are taking thoughtful, careful steps for everyone’s safety. Learn more about our hospital visitor policies and what to expect at your next appointment with IU Health.

Masks must be worn inside all IU Health facilities. We will provide a medical-grade mask upon your arrival, at no cost to you.

Mask Policy

Masks must be worn inside all IU Health facilities. We will provide a medical-grade mask upon your arrival, at no cost to you.

IU Health is updating its temporary visitor guidelines to support personal connections with loved ones while keeping patients, visitors and team members safe.

Hospital visitor guidelines - patients without COVID-19

For patients without COVID-19, one adult (18 and older) visitor may visit during a 24-hour period. Visitation hours are not restricted, but visitors are asked to not sleep in the IU Health facility and follow the guidelines listed below.

  • Visitors must screen negative for COVID-19 and follow all COVID-19 protocols while on site.
  • Visitors must wear a hospital-provided mask at all times, including in the patient’s room.
    • Face masks may be removed while eating or drinking. Please put your face mask back on as soon as you are done.
    • If you are eating or drinking and someone enters the room, please put your face mask on immediately.
  • Visitors must wash hands or use hand sanitizer often, including upon entry and exit from the patient’s room.
  • Practice physical distancing, including in the patient’s room.
  • If a visitor needs to leave the hospital during their visit, they may not return on the same day.
  • Visitors should remain in the patient’s room, except to get food inside the hospital and then return to the room, or to exit for the day.
  • Visitors should not sleep overnight in a patient room, except in special circumstances that are reviewed and approved in advance with hospital leadership.
    • For pediatric patients, one parent or guardian may be present and stay in the patient’s room.

    Exceptions will be considered in the following areas where a patient may receive two consistent designated visitors:

    • Neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU)
    • End of life situations

    Hospital visitor guidelines - patients with COVID-19

    Beginning Monday, March 8, 2021, most patients with COVID-19* may have one adult (18 and older) visitor per day under the following guidelines:

    • The COVID-19 patient may designate two close contacts as visitors for the duration of their stay.
    • One of the two designated visitors may visit per day for a maximum of 4 hours between the hours of 8 am and 9 pm.
    • Visitors must screen negative for COVID-19 and follow all COVID-19 protocols while on site.
    • When entering a patient unit, visitors must check-in at the nurse’s station before entering the patient’s room. An IU Health team member will assist you in putting on all required PPE (personal protective equipment).
    • Once in the patient’s room, visitors are not allowed in-and-out privileges; drinking, eating and using the restroom in the patient’s room are not allowed.
    • Before leaving the patient’s room, visitors should call a nurse or hospital team member to help with removing their PPE safely.

    *Patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPS) may not have visitors unless prior approval is obtained.

    Hospital Visitor Policy

    IU Health is updating its temporary visitor guidelines to support personal connections with loved ones while keeping patients, visitors and team members safe.

    Hospital visitor guidelines - patients without COVID-19

    For patients without COVID-19, one adult (18 and older) visitor may visit during a 24-hour period. Visitation hours are not restricted, but visitors are asked to not sleep in the IU Health facility and follow the guidelines listed below.

    • Visitors must screen negative for COVID-19 and follow all COVID-19 protocols while on site.
    • Visitors must wear a hospital-provided mask at all times, including in the patient’s room.
      • Face masks may be removed while eating or drinking. Please put your face mask back on as soon as you are done.
      • If you are eating or drinking and someone enters the room, please put your face mask on immediately.
    • Visitors must wash hands or use hand sanitizer often, including upon entry and exit from the patient’s room.
    • Practice physical distancing, including in the patient’s room.
    • If a visitor needs to leave the hospital during their visit, they may not return on the same day.
    • Visitors should remain in the patient’s room, except to get food inside the hospital and then return to the room, or to exit for the day.
    • Visitors should not sleep overnight in a patient room, except in special circumstances that are reviewed and approved in advance with hospital leadership.
      • For pediatric patients, one parent or guardian may be present and stay in the patient’s room.

      Exceptions will be considered in the following areas where a patient may receive two consistent designated visitors:

      • Neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU)
      • End of life situations

      Hospital visitor guidelines - patients with COVID-19

      Beginning Monday, March 8, 2021, most patients with COVID-19* may have one adult (18 and older) visitor per day under the following guidelines:

      • The COVID-19 patient may designate two close contacts as visitors for the duration of their stay.
      • One of the two designated visitors may visit per day for a maximum of 4 hours between the hours of 8 am and 9 pm.
      • Visitors must screen negative for COVID-19 and follow all COVID-19 protocols while on site.
      • When entering a patient unit, visitors must check-in at the nurse’s station before entering the patient’s room. An IU Health team member will assist you in putting on all required PPE (personal protective equipment).
      • Once in the patient’s room, visitors are not allowed in-and-out privileges; drinking, eating and using the restroom in the patient’s room are not allowed.
      • Before leaving the patient’s room, visitors should call a nurse or hospital team member to help with removing their PPE safely.

      *Patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPS) may not have visitors unless prior approval is obtained.

      We are taking careful steps to protect you and our team. If we do not contact you to reschedule, please plan to arrive for your appointment at your scheduled time.

      • Patients may bring one adult (18 and older) companion to an appointment. Visitors must screen negative for COVID-19 and follow all COVID-19 protocols while on site.
      • If the companion is a parent or guardian of a minor and does not pass the screening, another adult can be screened or the appointment can be rescheduled.

      Here is what you can expect at your in-office appointment for your safety:

      • All office staff and providers will be wearing a mask.
      • All patients and visitors age 2 and older will be required to wear a mask, which we will provide.
      • We follow strict procedures for cleaning surfaces between each patient visit.
      • We have spaced out waiting areas to enable social distancing and set up new ways to limit your time spent in waiting areas.

      If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19:

      Learn more about the steps we’re taking to keep you safe. Besides in-person visits, we continue to offer Virtual Visits based on your needs. If you have questions or would like to confirm your appointment, please call your provider’s office.

      Rest assured v1

      Outpatient Appointments

      We are taking careful steps to protect you and our team. If we do not contact you to reschedule, please plan to arrive for your appointment at your scheduled time.

      • Patients may bring one adult (18 and older) companion to an appointment. Visitors must screen negative for COVID-19 and follow all COVID-19 protocols while on site.
      • If the companion is a parent or guardian of a minor and does not pass the screening, another adult can be screened or the appointment can be rescheduled.

      Here is what you can expect at your in-office appointment for your safety:

      • All office staff and providers will be wearing a mask.
      • All patients and visitors age 2 and older will be required to wear a mask, which we will provide.
      • We follow strict procedures for cleaning surfaces between each patient visit.
      • We have spaced out waiting areas to enable social distancing and set up new ways to limit your time spent in waiting areas.

      If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19:

      Learn more about the steps we’re taking to keep you safe. Besides in-person visits, we continue to offer Virtual Visits based on your needs. If you have questions or would like to confirm your appointment, please call your provider’s office.

      Rest assured v1

      Elective Procedures

      IU Health has resumed some elective surgeries for our patients. If you had an elective surgery canceled in the last few months and your physician has decided you may now safely have the surgery, you will be contacted by your physician’s office to reschedule.

      As you may understand, there are many appointments to be rescheduled, so please don’t worry if you don’t hear from us right away. We appreciate your patience and know that we will be calling soon. Some patients will need to be tested for COVID-19 prior to the procedure for their safety and the safety of the care team.

      Rest assured that our team will address any concerns you may have regarding your surgery prior to scheduling. If you have questions, or your condition changes, please contact your physician’s office.

      Upcoming Procedures

      Elective Procedures

      IU Health has resumed some elective surgeries for our patients. If you had an elective surgery canceled in the last few months and your physician has decided you may now safely have the surgery, you will be contacted by your physician’s office to reschedule.

      As you may understand, there are many appointments to be rescheduled, so please don’t worry if you don’t hear from us right away. We appreciate your patience and know that we will be calling soon. Some patients will need to be tested for COVID-19 prior to the procedure for their safety and the safety of the care team.

      Rest assured that our team will address any concerns you may have regarding your surgery prior to scheduling. If you have questions, or your condition changes, please contact your physician’s office.

      Staying connected with loved ones while you receive care is vital to your health and well-being. Phones, tablets, and computers offer free and easy ways to communicate with your friends and family through video, voice, or text.

      Patients are welcome to use personal devices. Patients who do not have access to personal devices can use in-room telephones or ask their care providers about the availability of IU Health loaner iPads. Learn more about resources available to you so you can stay connected to your loved ones.

      Watch: Coping with Visitor Restrictions

        Stay Connected Virtually

        Staying connected with loved ones while you receive care is vital to your health and well-being. Phones, tablets, and computers offer free and easy ways to communicate with your friends and family through video, voice, or text.

        Patients are welcome to use personal devices. Patients who do not have access to personal devices can use in-room telephones or ask their care providers about the availability of IU Health loaner iPads. Learn more about resources available to you so you can stay connected to your loved ones.

        Watch: Coping with Visitor Restrictions

          Virtual Visitation Resources

          Stay Connected with Virtual Visitation

          How to Connect with a Patient or Family Member

          Learn how to use IU Health Wi-Fi in the hospital. Find steps to use common apps such as FaceTime, Zoom and Skype.

          View Instructions (PDF)