Visiting Hours and Guidelines

Our No. 1 priority is to keep our patients, staff and visitors safe. As the COVID-19 situation develops, we are adjusting our policies as necessary to protect our patients and our physicians, nurses and staff.

Please note: Visitors are not allowed if they are sick or have COVID-19. This applies to inpatient as well as outpatient locations.

Inpatient visitor policy

Visitors will be required to wear face coverings (mask or shield) throughout the building and are encouraged to bring their own from home.

Overnight guests are approved by exception upon request of the House Manager or Office of Patient Experience. Visitors are permitted during the following hours:

  • 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (University Hospital, Missouri Orthopaedic Institute, Children's Hospital and Women's Hospital).
    • Women's Hospital visitors are asked to check in at the front desk in the main lobby.
    • Children's Hospital visitors can check in by entering University Hospital on the second floor of the Patient Visitor Garage from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Otherwise, visitors should enter from the first floor of the Patient Visitor Garage.
  • 4 to 8 p.m. (Missouri Psychiatric Center).

We will continue using Zoom and FaceTime to help patients connect with loved ones who cannot be present in person.

Patients who are staying overnight at MU Health Care hospitals will be allowed two visitors per patient room at a time. If you have more than two visitors, please ask them to wait in the first-floor lobby and rotate their visits.

  • If the patient is COVID positive, they will be allowed to designate two visitors for their entire hospital stay. Visitors must wear masks and may not leave the patient's room except to exit the facility.

Women who are in labor and women who are inpatient on maternal newborn will be allowed three visitors per room at a time. Labor and delivery visits are welcome at any time. Maternal newborn patients will be allowed one designated overnight visitor.

Pediatric patients may have two visitors per room during normal visiting hours. Parents or guardians may visit at any time. (Two parents or guardians will also be allowed for patients with COVID-19.)

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients are allowed two bedside visitors at any time, except from 10-11 p.m. when IV lines are changed.

  • Parents and guardians can designate four additional support visitors and a family hour to allow siblings 3 years and older to visit. Parents and guardians only during nursing shift changes (7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

Outpatient visitor policy

Adult emergency room patients may have two visitors. Pediatric emergency room patients may have two parents or guardians.

Adult urgent care and quick care patients may have two visitors. Pediatric urgent care and quick care patients may have two parents/guardians.

Patients undergoing same-day surgery and testing, and those attending clinic visits at MU Health Care hospitals, will be allowed to designate two visitors at registration who will be allowed to accompany the patient.

Visitors will be required to wear face coverings and are encouraged to bring their own from home.

We will continue using Zoom and FaceTime to help patients connect with loved ones who cannot be present in person.

Public entrances

  • University Hospital, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, Children's Hospital and Missouri Psychiatric Center: Entry will be limited to the first level of the Patient and Visitor Parking Garage. The Emergency Department entrance will remain operational for patients needing care.
  • Women’s Hospital: Entry for the public is through the main lobby entrance. The Emergency Department entrance will remain operational for patients needing care.
  • Missouri Orthopaedic Institute: Entry is through the second-floor circle-drive entrance on the east side of the building.
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