COVID-19 Resources

Effective starting January 10, 2022

UC Medical Center and West Chester Hospital

• One (1) visitor per patient permitted per day. Each patient will need to designate their visitor for the day. The following are exceptions:
  • Patients receiving end-of-life care, at the discretion of the care team.
  • Emergency Departments: In some cases, a visitor swap within a 24-hour period may be permitted, with only one visitor at the bedside at any time.
  • Maternity patients can have up to two (2) adult visitors per day.
• Visitation hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the following exceptions:
  • Patients who at the discretion of the care team may be harmed by not having in-person visits from family at all times will be permitted a visitor 24 hours a day. For example: juveniles, special needs, sightless, dementia, etc. (This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list and is not limited to only the four conditions listed.)
  • Emergency Department Hours: Visitors are allowed in our emergency departments 24 hours a day. 
  • UC Medical Center adult ICUs hours: Visiting times will be during a two (2) hour period determined as follows:
    • Odd-number rooms: 1–3 p.m.
    • Even-number rooms: 4–6 p.m.
  • West Chester Hospital ICU and Stepdown unit hours: 2–4 p.m.
  • Neonatal Intensive Care (UC Medical Center) & Special Care Nursery (West Chester Hospital): Visitors are allowed 24 hours a day.
• Visitors may stay for the duration of visiting hours or at the discretion of the care team, but if they leave the hospital during those hours they will not be permitted to return the same day.
• Visitors must be at least 15 years of age.
• If visitors are older than 65 years of age, we encourage them to review CDC and ODH guidelines for individuals with advanced age and chronic medical conditions. If any of these apply, we recommend avoiding visits to patients in our hospitals.
• No visitors are permitted to patients under investigation for COVID-19 or those with confirmed COVID-19. Loved ones are encouraged to use video chat on their personal devices to connect with patients who are not permitted visitors. Please see the following exceptions:
  • Patients receiving end-of-life care.
  • Patients who at the discretion of the care team may be harmed by not having in person visits from family. For example: juveniles, special needs, sightless, dementia, etc. (This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list and is not limited to only the four conditions listed.) 
• Visitors will be screened upon entry and must be free of any COVID-19 symptoms.
  • An employee will ask them a series of questions about symptoms and exposure and give them a visitor sticker (UC Medical Center) or a bracelet (West Chester Hospital).
• While visitors are in the hospital, they must agree to the following, no exceptions:
  • Be screened at visitor entrances and pass the screening criteria.
  • Wear an approved dated sticker (UC Medical Center) or bracelet (West Chester Hospital) in a visible area.
  • Wear an approved face covering that covers the nose and mouth, or the surgical mask that we provide. Cloth masks are not allowed.
  • At all times while visitors are in the facility, their mask must cover their nose and mouth, even when they are in the patient’s room. Visitors who are unwilling or unable to comply with the surgical mask requirement will not be allowed to enter or remain in the building.
  • Before reporting to the patient’s unit, report to the main information desk where you enter to ensure you are able to visit the patient.
  • Once the visitor arrives on the patient’s floor or unit, please report to the nurse’s station prior to entering the patient’s room to ensure the patient is ready for them and to ensure that they are the visitors designated by the patient.
  • Wash their hands (or use hand sanitizer) prior to entering the patient’s room and when leaving.
  • Remain in the patient’s room the entire time that they are visiting, unless to visit the cafeteria.
  • Always stay at least 6 feet away from the patient (social distance).
  • Check out at the nurse’s station when they are ready to leave.
  • Visitors who do not follow these guidelines will be asked to leave the facility.
  • No public access is allowed to the cafeteria or restrooms.
    • Exception: An approved patient visitor can use cafeteria while visiting.

Outpatient and Ambulatory Clinics

• Only one (1) visitor/guest is permitted per patient, with some exceptions:
  • Patients with children are encouraged to safely leave children at home (with supervision) to limit exposure. If this is not possible, children are permitted to attend appointments.
  • For pediatric patients or adult patients with legal guardians, up to two (2) parents/guardians are allowed to accompany the patient to their ambulatory appointments.
  • This policy may vary for certain areas, including Infusion and Oncology offices. Please check with your provider for the latest information.

Daniel Drake Center for Post-Acute Care

Daniel Drake Center allows limited visitors on its campus. Per the Ohio Department of Health and CDC guidelines, our visitor policy takes into account the various levels of care we provide at Daniel Drake Center. The visitation guidelines below are applicable for the Long Term Acute Care Unit (LTAC), the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)* as well as the Extended Care Unit (ECU) at Drake. 

• Patient visitation at Daniel Drake Center is allowed seven days a week from 10am – 7pm.
• One (1) visitor per patient per day.  
• All visitors should report to the HUC stations located on each patient floor to be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entering a patient’s room.  Any visitor presenting with symptoms of COVID will not be permitted to visit Drake patients to limit the risk of exposing them to this dangerous virus.   
• No visitors are permitted to patients who have COVID-19 or are recovering from COVID-19 (as noted in their medical records).
• All visitors are required to follow all COVID-19 precautions while in the Daniel Drake Center, including wearing a mask at all times and following social distancing guidelines.
• Visitors must be at least 16 years of age.

*The policy for the Skilled Nursing Facility is subject to change due to evolving regulatory requirements of the Ohio Department of Health for nursing facilities.

Mask Requirement

Because of the increased transmission of the delta and omicron variants, we require masking in all of our facilities.  Visitors must wear a simple/surgical mask. Cloth masks are not permitted.

If a patient or visitor cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, we ask that they bring a note from the medical provider.

If they cannot wear a mask, we ask that they wear a face shield. If that is not possible because of their medical condition, we will place the patient in a private room as soon as possible.

Anyone who refuses to wear a mask for other reasons or does not have a letter from their medical provider will be asked to change their visit to a telehealth visit. Procedures may be delayed until the patient and visitors are able to wear a mask.