What You Must Do to Enter an Intermountain Facility

UPDATED: 1/18/2022

  • Be 12 or older. Minors under the age of 12 may not visit hospitals or emergency departments (except to seek care for themselves or under certain exceptions outlined below).
  • Visit between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. We currently do not allow visitors to stay overnight with patients, unless there is a clear need. Exceptions include visitors of pediatric patients, laboring and postpartum mothers and patients who are suffering from dementia or are critically ill or at end of life. One visitor may accompany a patient to a late-night InstaCare location if needed. Facilities and units have the discretion to adjust visiting hours for patient or caregiver needs.
  • Be in good health. We don’t allow visitors with signs of illness, those who have active COVID-19, those that have had anyone in their household that has tested positive or exhibited symptoms, or those with a pending COVID-19 test result.
  • Complete a screening in the facility. This includes a short series of questions about symptoms. If visitors are experiencing symptoms, we ask that they refrain from visiting and recommend they reach out to their healthcare provider for advice and potential COVID testing.
  • Wash their hands or use alcohol sanitizer before entering and after leaving our facilities and rooms to prevent the spread of viruses on high-touch areas.
  • Maintain social distance from others while in the facility. This includes staying six feet away from other visitors or patients and avoiding gathering in waiting rooms, lobbies, or entrances.
  • Wear a mask at all times. All visitors in all areas must be masked. We encourage you to bring your own cloth face coverings or masks. Children over the age of two must be masked and can only be in the hospital when they are seeking care. In some circumstances, masks and other protective equipment will be provided. Visit our Masking Guidelines page for more information.
  • Visitors are encouraged to support their loved ones and stay in the patient room. Please leave the facility after visitation. We ask that you don’t linger in common spaces. There may be times when you are asked to wait in a waiting room. The care team will inform you. Visiting hours are 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • We continue to encourage hospital patients to communicate electronically or by phone with loved ones and friends. We understand that communicating with loved ones and friends is still an important part of a patient’s healing. Video chat, voice, and texting options are digital alternatives and help patients and loved ones feel connected. Should patients desire to visit others virtually and lack a device (e.g. smartphone or tablet), please let the patient care team know so we may help you with devices and technical support.
  • We currently do not allow visitors to the Adult Behavioral Health Units in Intermountain hospitals. Unlike other hospital units, Adult Behavioral Health Units have more open and communal spaces to promote interactions between patients and staff, so this makes supporting in-person visitation during the pandemic more of a challenge. We will escalate and work to accommodate in-person meetings with visitors based on patient care and need and continue to accommodate virtual communication between patients and visitors.

Intermountain Hospitals and Emergency Rooms

For visitors (effective 1-18-2022)

  • Hospital, inpatient surgical, and ED: Two designated visitors per day allowed in the patient room in most situations, including inpatient surgery. No visitors allowed overnight. Exceptions include visitors of pediatric patients, laboring and postpartum mothers and patients who are suffering from dementia or are critically ill or at end of life. Visiting hours are 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
    • Obstetric and neonatal units: Due to the increased exposure risks inherent to labor and delivery (close contact to a patient who is exerting extreme effort) and the vulnerability of a newborn infant, visitation to obstetric and neonatal units will be as follows. More information will be made available upon admission and is subject to change.
      • Laboring and postpartum moms may have ONE designated visitor for the duration of the stay. The one designated visitor can stay the night. A mother's certified Doula is considered part of the medical team.
      • Non-laboring pregnant mothers may have one visitor during daytime visiting hours, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
      • Babies in the NICU are allowed TWO designated visitors for the duration of the stay. One of the two designated visitors may stay overnight.
  • Outpatient (ambulatory, same-day) surgery: One designated visitor per day is recommended in outpatient areas and same-day surgery to accompany an adult or pediatric patient. If additional visitors are requested for safety or other needs (small children, etc.), please talk to your team at check-in.
  • A clergy or spiritual advisor visitor can be appointed in addition to our two-visitors-per-patient guideline.
  • A mother's certified Doula is considered part of the medical team.
  • Some units may have some additional restrictions that will be shared on admission (e.g., Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Pediatric Behavioral Health.
  • The care team will work with patient and family to arrange attendance at clinical conferences or care planning discussions.
  • For patients at end of life, the unit charge nurse will work with family / loved ones to arrange visitation and support needs.
  • The number of visitors at the bedside can be limited by the care team (i.e., nurse, charge nurse, unit manager, nurse supervisor) based on safety for the patient, visitors, and/or caregivers, as well as the care team’s ability to provide patient care.
  • Any exceptions to these hospital and emergency room guidelines will require approval through the hospital and medical leadership at the facility.

Additional guidance for visitors of patients that ARE COVID-19 POSITIVE (or are suspected to be positive):

  • One designated visitor of a COVID positive or suspected adult patient per day; two designated visitors of a COVID positive or suspected pediatric patient per day. Visitors of COVID patients will be asked to wear personal protective equipment provided by the facility. The staff present will assist with how to use it properly to ensure safety.
  • Visitors will be asked to wear personal protective equipment provided by the facility. The staff present will assist with how to use it properly to ensure safety.
  • In Emergency Departments (EDs, also known as Emergency Rooms or ERs) and Intensive Care Units (ICUs), visitation may be more limited because of facility resources and patient treatments. More information will be made available upon arrival.

Intermountain Clinics and InstaCares, and Primary Children's Outpatient Clinics

Patients at our clinics are encouraged to come alone or to bring only visitors who are necessary for the visit or for the patient’s personal safety (for example, the care of a dependent adult). Whenever possible, patients should please make childcare arrangements. If a child must accompany a patient, all children ages two and older must be masked at all times. If your clinic appointment is in a hospital facility, please stay in the clinic area and exit the facility when your visit is completed.

Please see above guidance for additional details.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

For additional guidance related to visitation, please call the specific location:

Stay Connected

Connect with your loved one with AmWell Now

We encourage family and friends to stay connected with the patient during their stay with us. If patients do not have their own devices to connect with loved ones, iPads will be provided to patients inorder to connect during their stay.

AmWell Now

AmWell Now is a software platform used by Intermountain Healthcare on Intermountain provided iPads that will allow patients to connect with loved ones. The software will send a link via text message or email.

  1. The invitation will appear with a link
  2. Click on the link to launch the program
  3. Enter your name and click, "Join Visit"

 

Thank You

Intermountain Healthcare appreciates your help in protecting our community from the transmission of COVID-19. We all hold an important public health responsibility in supporting the rules and recommendations set forth by the CDC, local health departments and healthcare organizations which include visitor guidelines in healthcare facilities. Moving forward, we will continue to monitor the risk of COVID-19 closely and will adjust our visitor guidelines as appropriate to keep our patients, visitors and caregivers safe. If you have a question about our visitation guidelines, please contact us.