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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

Visiting Hours for Other Units

Intensive Care Unit

Family members, caregivers and/or surrogate decision makers may visit but hours may be limited based on the needs of the patient. A waiting room is adjacent to the unit with an intercom so you can speak with the staff.

Birthing Center (University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton only)

Birthing Center Visiting Hours – 12 to 8 pm

Access to this unit can only be gained by proper identification and by ringing for assistance. Fathers and support individuals will be given special armbands for increased visitation during the laboring process.

Because we care about the health and well-being of our newborn patients, it is recommended that visitors who have been exposed to any of the following diseases should not visit:

  • Chickenpox (exposure within the last three weeks)
  • Measles (exposure within the last three weeks)
  • Whooping cough (exposure within the last three weeks)
  • Fever (experienced within the last 24 hours)
  • Diarrhea (experienced within the last 24 hours)
  • Vomiting (experienced within the last 24 hours)

Pediatric Unit (UM Shore Medical Center at Easton only)

UM Shore Medical Center at Easton Pediatric Unit Visiting Hours – 12 to 8 pm

Parents or guardians have unlimited visitation rights. One parent or guardian is encouraged to stay overnight. Visitors are limited. In consideration of all of our patients, we appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a quiet environment.

Emergency Department

In the interest of patient and team members' safety, visitors are not permitted in the Emergency Department at this time, due to COVID-19. We are allowing a Designated Support Person to accompany Emergency Department patients who require additional assistance to facilitate care due to conditions such as age, frailty, dementia, mental status challenges, deafness, blindness, etc. If you feel your loved one needs a Designated Support Person, please speak with the nursing staff. They will be happy to assist you. If admitted inpatient to the hospital from the Emergency Department, visitors must follow the Inpatient Visitors Policy.

Surgical Services

The Secondary Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) will allow one visitor to be with the patient until discharge.

Visitation Rules

To ensure a safe and respectful environment for patients, visitors and staff, we ask that you follow these visitation rules.

Visitor Guidelines

Visits from family and friends are important to your recovery. Our visitation program is designed solely to aid the recovery of our patients by providing a secure, supportive, and healthful environment. Please ask your friends and family to observe the visitor guidelines posted at the hospital.

  • We require all visitors to sign in at the Information Desk so that, in the event of an emergency, we are able to best serve our patients and visitors.
  • All visitors must behave in a quiet, respectful manner.
  • We ask all visitors to use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting a patient's room.
  • Please observe contact precautions/isolation signage and check with nursing before entering a patient's room with this signage. During flu season, further restrictions to visitation may be necessary.

Masking

  • See masking guidelines for patients, visitors and team members to learn when and where masks are required in UMMS facilities.

Behavior and Safety Expectations

  • No disruptive, threatening or violent behavior, including the use of obscene language or gestures, will be tolerated. No weapons of any type are permitted.
  • In order to create a healing environment, visitors must show respectful and quiet conduct towards all patients, other visitors and staff at all times.

Patient Privacy Policy

  • 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.
  • 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

  • No smoking or vaping is allowed in any indoor or outdoor space on our campus.
  • Visitors may not give patients cigarettes, or any nicotine-related items, medications or drugs not prescribed by the patient's physician.

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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