Visitation Guidelines for Positive COVID-19 Patients and PUIs

UPMC is allowing one support person for hospitalized patients who are persons under investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19 (i.e., are being tested) and inpatients who are COVID-19 positive. 

Inpatients being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19: 

• Those who are suspected of having COVID-19 or inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19, or a representative on their behalf, may identify one support person to assist them for the duration of their hospital stay. 
  • Visits by UPMC-employed pastoral care or by non-UPMC-employed community clergy are also permitted. 
  • We will provide a time-limited window for visitation. 
  • Visits must be scheduled and coordinated with hospital leadership.
     
• Support persons must:
  • Follow our patient support person guidelines. 
  • Pass the facility’s entry screening process. 
  • Wear a UPMC-issued patient support person wristband, sticker, or tag.
     
• Patients who are suspected of having COVID-19 and COVID-19 inpatients are kept in isolation rooms. Before entering a room, support person will be required to put on personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by the nursing team, which will include a gown, gloves, a surgical mask with a face shield, or a surgical mask alone if a face shield is not available. A member of the hospital care team will assist them. This level of PPE is considered appropriate for support person. 
• When support persons enter an isolation room, a member of the hospital care team will assist them with PPE. 
• When support persons exit an isolation room, a member of the hospital care team will help them safely remove their PPE. 
• At the end of the visit, support persons will leave the hospital.