Visitor & Appointment Updates

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.

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.

Up to four visitors - including children, if accompanied by an adult - to visit together, in all IU Health facilities. All visitors must follow all COVID-19 protocols while on-site. One adult may stay overnight for patients 18 and older. For pediatric patients, two adult visitors may stay overnight. All visitors age 2+ must follow guidelines for masks and social distancing.

Hospital visitor guidelines - patients without COVID-19

For adult patients without COVID-19, up to four care partners may visit at the same time. Visitation hours are not restricted. Adult patients may have one care partner stay overnight. Pediatric patients may have two overnight visitors.

• Visitors must screen negative for COVID-19 and follow all COVID-19 protocols while on site.
• Visitors (age 2+) 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 immediately put your face mask on.
• Visitors must wash hands often or use hand sanitizer, including upon entry and exit from the patient’s room.
• Practice physical distancing, including in the patient’s room.
• 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.

Exceptions may be made in consultation with chief medical and nursing officers for situations involving end-of-life care, obstetric services including labor and delivery, and when the benefits of more inclusive visitation outweigh the risk.

NICU visitor guidelines

Due to a steady increase in RSV cases, it is necessary to put additional visitor guidelines in place in Riley at IU Health NICUs. These guidelines include Riley Hospital for Children and in the Riley at IU Health NICUs at IU Health Methodist and North hospitals. These guidelines will also be in place in the IU Health North Labor, Delivery, Postpartum and Pediatric in-patient areas as well the IU Health West Special Care Nursery.

NICU visitations restrictions will allow:

• Two parents/guardians plus 4 designated visitors 18 years or older
• Only two parents/guardians can stay overnight
• Only two visitors in the room at a time
• Visitors can switch out between parents/guardians and designated visitors as frequently as they wish outside the unit

Maternity Visitor Guidelines

Due to an increase in RSV cases and the focus on keeping patients safe, Riley at IU Health has expanded current NICU RSV visitor guidelines to Maternity units at Riley at IU Health and IU Health Methodist hospitals.

Maternity unit visitation guidelines will allow:

• Four visitors during the day. Visitors must be 18 or older (with an exception for the significant other of the patient)
• Up to four visitors are allowed to remain for labor and birth 24/7
• One adult visitor may stay overnight with Mom/Baby and antepartum
• Only two visitors are allowed in the room at the time after delivery. Visitors may switch out outside of the maternity unit

Hospital visitor guidelines - patients with COVID-19

Most patients with COVID-19* may have up to four adult visitors (18 and older) at a time under the following guidelines:

• 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).
• 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 have up to two adult (18 and older) visitors at a time unless the visitor is the parent of a patient or approved before the visit. Visitors must wear enhanced PPE provided to ensure safety during the visit.

IU Health Safe Care Pledge

Universal Mask Mandate

Providers and patient-facing team members will wear masks at every IU Health facility. Patients and visitors will be required to wear masks also, provided at no cost to you.

Social distancing

We support social distancing guidelines by displaying six-foot distances and have redesigned spaces in our facilities wherever possible.

Limited waiting room time

We are working hard to significantly decrease the time you spend in waiting rooms.

Enhanced cleaning

We are enhancing our disinfecting procedures so that everything remains thoroughly clean throughout the day.

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