Visitor Policy

Updated March 29, 2023

Current Level: Green (Visitation Permitted)

In order to keep patients, staff and the community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) put in place additional visiting restrictions for both inpatient and outpatient care.

We understand that many patients need trusted care partners (visitors) to help them heal and maintain their best health. To balance those needs with our safety measures, we created a tiered, color-coded system that allows more flexibility as conditions change.

Current Visitation Level: Green (Visitation Permitted) Learn more about the current visitation level.

Visiting Hours - Daily 8 am to 8 pm

Visitation Rules

All care partners must follow these rules:

• See masking guidelines for patients, care partners (visitors) and team members, including when masks are required in UMMS facilities. 
• Care partners may not smoke in any area within or outside of the facility.
• Care partners may not give patients any nicotine-related items, medications/drugs not prescribed by the patient's physician, or weapons of any type.
• Care partners must follow the directions of UMMS staff members.
• In order to create a healing environment, care partners must comply with respectful and quiet conduct towards all patients, other care partners, and staff at all times.
• Violation of any UMMS facility policy will result in the care partner being removed from the premises, and the care partner may be barred from any further visits.

Who May Visit or Accompany Patients

• Care Partners (Visitors): Care partners are the friends and family who provide support and with whom the patient has a significant relationship. Care partners are chosen by the patient or, in the case of minors or those without decision making capacity, by their surrogates.
• Designated Support Persons: A designated support person is one type of care partner who the patient specifically chooses to be physically present at the hospital to support the patient. Designated support persons are not limited to patients with disabilities. 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. 

Visitation Levels:

Current Visitation Level: Green (Visitation Permitted)