What You Must Do to Enter an Intermountain Facility

UPDATED: 4/16

  • Be 18 or older. Minors under the age of 18 may not visit hospitals or emergency departments (except to seek care for themselves or under certain exceptions outlined below). 
  • 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 at the front entrance of a hospital facility. This includes a short series of questions about symptoms performed by greeters at all facility entrances. (Note: This “screening” does not mean visitors must get a COVID-19 test. However, if visitors are experiencing symptoms, we ask that they refrain from visiting and recommend they reach out to their healthcare provider for advice.) 
  • 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 guests and avoiding gathering in waiting rooms, lobbies, or entrances. 
  • Wear a mask at all times. All visitors must wear a face covering and are encouraged to bring their own cloth face coverings or masks. In some circumstances, masks and other protective equipment will be provided. Visit our Masking Guidelines page for more information.
  • A “designated visitor” may not switch with other individuals through the course of a hospital stay. For example, if a patient younger than 18 designated their mother and father as visitors, the father may not switch with a grandparent.  
  • 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 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 of patients who ARE NOT COVID-19 POSITIVE (or are not suspected to be positive):

  • Patients who are 18 or older may have a maximum of two designated visitors throughout their stay and at their bedside at one time. A clergy or spiritual advisor visitor can be appointed in addition to our two-visitors-per-patient guideline.  
    • For mothers in labor, a doula is considered one of the two designated visitors.  
  • Patients 17 or younger may have a maximum of two designated visitors throughout their stay and at their bedside at one time as determined by patient acuity and ongoing treatment in an intensive care area. More instruction will be made available on admission (e.g., Neonatal or Pediatric Intensive Care Unit).  
  • As determined by the care team, a maximum of four designated visitors will be allowed in clinical conferences or care planning discussions; and still only two at a bedside at one time. 
  • Visitors who have cognitive or physical needs and require support to safely arrive at their destination may be allowed help from one companion to enter the facility. Please speak with the front desk upon arrival about specific circumstances. 
  • Intermountain Chaplains are on-site at most of our large hospitals and available to meet with patients and families to provide emotional and spiritual support as needed. The Chaplains can be reached at the following hospitals:
    • Primary Children’s Hospital, 801-662-3782 (24/7)
    • Utah Valley Hospital, 801-357-3826 (Monday-Friday, daytime)
    • McKay-Dee Hospital, 801-387-2254 (Monday-Friday, daytime)
    • St. George Regional Hospital, 435-251-1047 (Monday-Friday, daytime)
    • Note: If a patient prefers a visit from their specific faith group representative, clergy and other religious representatives can visit patients to perform requested rituals of religious support. 
  • For patients at end of life, up to eight total designated visitors will be allowed for the patient and can be allowed in the facility. However, the number of visitors in the patient room at one time will vary depending on the location. These visitors must be 12 or older and must wear specific protective equipment as directed by the clinical team. 
  • 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.  

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

  • Patients 18 or older admitted with COVID-19 may have a total of two family member visitors if the family members have proven recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days or proof of vaccine series completion at least 14 days prior (Labor and Delivery, and Primary Children’s, excluded*). They may visit after coordinating with the patient’s nurse by filling out a questionnaire.**
    • *For laboring mothers, two designated visitors will be allowed at the bedside during delivery. A doula may be considered as one of the designated visitors. Only one visitor will be permitted to stay in postpartum and this person will be required to stay in the room throughout the stay to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread. The visitors do not need proof of recent COVID-19 recovery and/or proof of vaccination.  
  • Patients 17 or younger may have a maximum of two designated visitors at their bedside.** More instruction will be made available on admission (e.g., Neonatal or Pediatric Intensive Care Unit).  
  • For patients at end of life, up to eight total designated visitors will be allowed for the patient and can be allowed in the facility at a time; however, the number of visitors in the patient room at one time will vary depending on the location. These visitors must be 12 or older and must wear specific protective equipment as directed by the clinical team. 
  • Visitors who have not had COVID-19 or the vaccine series may not visit COVID patients at this time.
  • **Visitation of COVID-19 patients in Emergency Departments (EDs, also known as Emergency Rooms or ERs) and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) may be more limited owing to facility resources and patient treatments. More information will be made available upon arrival.  

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

We recommend that adult patients (18 and older) come alone unless they need assistance. Patients may then have a maximum of two healthy adults accompany them to an appointment. Patients who can’t make childcare arrangements should please call the clinic in advance of their visit. 

Patients 17 or younger may be accompanied by two healthy adults, parents, or guardians.  

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.