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Updated May 11, 2023

Current Level: Green (Visitation Permitted)

At University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), we know that patients need the important people in their lives to help them in their healing journey.

In order to maintain a safe and healing environment, we have developed a visitor policy that outlines what's expected of patients, visitors and team members when care partners are present.

Visiting Hours - Daily 8 am to 8 pm

Visitation Rules

All visitors must follow these rules:

  • See masking guidelines for patients, visitors and team members to learn when and where masks are required in UMMS facilities.
  • No disruptive, threatening or violent behavior, including the use of obscene language or gestures, will be tolerated. No weapons of any type are permitted.
  • Appropriate clothing is required. Clothing with obscene language is prohibited.
  • All patients have a right to privacy, which should be respected. Federal law requires that hospitals comply with strict laws to protect patients' privacy. Staff will provide condition updates to a designated spokesperson or upon patient request.
  • Due to patient privacy policies, taking photos or videos in common areas of the hospital is not permitted. In a patient room, you may not photograph, videotape or record audio unless you have the permission of anyone being recorded. This includes physicians, nurses, staff or other patients.
  • No smoking or vaping is allowed in any indoor or outdoor space on our campus. To promote the health and wellness of the people we serve and our staff, UMMS provides a smoke-free environment at all our facilities.
  • Visitors may not give patients cigarettes, or any nicotine-related items, medications or drugs not prescribed by the patient's physician, or weapons of any type.
  • In order to create a healing environment, visitors must show respectful and quiet conduct towards all patients, other visitors and staff at all times.

Who May Visit or Accompany Patients

  • Care Partners (Visitors) are the friends and family who the patient has a significant relationship with and who provide support during the patients' stay. Care partners are chosen by the patient or, in the case of children (or others for whom another person has been empowered to makes decisions), by their parents, guardians or appointed decision maker.
  • Designated Support Persons are a type of care partner who the patient specifically chooses to be physically present at the hospital to support the patient. This person may be a friend, family member, personal care assistant or disability service provider and may or may not be legally authorized to make decisions for the patient. The patient may change the designated support person throughout their stay.
    • Communication with Designated Support Persons: If a patient with disabilities does not have a designated support person present at the hospital, staff will attempt to communicate relevant information with a patient's designated representative, in alignment with patient privacy requirements. Effort shall be made to communicate in advance of admission, if possible. The hospital shall inform the patient and any designated support persons, or care partners, of this policy.

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