Visiting Hours and Guidelines

MU Health Care supports the presence of visitors of the patient’s choice. Visitors are encouraged to visit during the hospital’s visitation hours, in general from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. daily, with up to two visitors in the patient’s room at a time. Some units may have more specific requirements to meet the needs of its patients.

Visitors who are under the age of 13 must be accompanied by and directly supervised by an adult.

Situations may allow for specific exceptions to our visiting hours and guidelines. Please speak with the care team if you have any questions.

  • Visitors to Birthing Center-Columbia who are age 16 or older must check in at the information desk and receive a visitor badge. Please bring your photo identification.
  • Visitors to the Missouri Psychiatric Center must follow additional guidelines: Regular visiting hours are daily, including weekends and holidays, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.. Visitation at times outside of regular visiting hours may be prearranged and preapproved by the social worker and nurse manager/acting supervisor when staffing and scheduling permit.
    • Visitors must be over the age of 18. A special arrangement may be made for visitors under the age of 18 if staffing allows and the safety of the patient, minor visitor, and others on the unit can be provided.
    • All visitors must be listed on the contact sheet and be approved by the patient, parent, or legal guardian before contact is permitted.

Overnight visitors

University Hospital and Missouri Orthopaedic Institute:

  • Adult inpatients - Patients shall be permitted one overnight compassionate care visitor in single patient rooms, when reasonably appropriate during a hospital admission. We will continue to have the option to limit visitation/overnight stays if clinically indicated and/or if the visitor is not behaving in the benefit of the patient and becoming a disruption for staff.
  • Pediatric inpatients – Two parents, guardians or primary support persons are welcome 24 hours per day.
  • Overnight visitors will need to obtain a daily overnight tag (process outlined below).

Birthing Center-Columbia:

  • Labor and Delivery – patients may have up to 3 visitors at the bedside at a time. Visitors may stay overnight during their stay on the Labor and Delivery unit. Overnight visitors must be 18 years and older. Children less than 18 years old are welcome during visiting hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Maternal Newborn/Postpartum – patients may have up to 3 visitors at the bedside at a time. Limit of 1 compassionate care visitor for overnight hours. Overnight visitors must be 18 years and older. Children less than 18 years old are welcome during visiting hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • NICU – we allow two adults at the bedside per family. Up to four individuals can be designated as visitors. Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily, except during rounding and evening shift change.

Visitor limit

Please limit visits to two people at a time. Family and friends who are waiting to see you may make themselves comfortable in the visitor lounges and lobby.

Children

An adult other than the person who is admitted to the hospital must accompany children younger than 13 at all times.

Security and health considerations

For security and health reasons, visitors’ personal belongings and food may not be stored in patient rooms or visitor lounges. A visitor should not enter patient care units if he or she has cold or flu symptoms or he or she (or a member of his or her family) has recently been exposed to an infectious disease.

Updates on your loved one's status

If you’ve been approved to receive updates on your loved one's status, please provide your telephone number to the nursing unit. A staff member from the unit will contact you, if necessary. You're also welcome to call during the night to get an update on your relative’s condition.

What you need to know

  • Visiting hours will be offered each day from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. at all facilities except Missouri Psychiatric Center, where the hours are 4 - 8 p.m. daily. Currently, there are no changes in the visitor process at Birthing Center-Columbia.
  • Overnight visitors must be at least 18 years old.
  • Daily visitor overnight tags will help keep our patients, visitors, and employees safe.
  • Visitor can get an overnight tag at the following locations:
    • University Hospital Information Desk – 1st floor lobby
    • MOI Nursing Station
  • All overnight visitors may be asked to provide a photo ID. If they do not have a photo ID, they may discuss this with check-in station personnel.
  • Each tag (currently we will be using colored wrist bands) will have an expire date written on them and are valid for 24 hours.
  • Visitors must check-in or show overnight tag when entering the hospital and/or unit after visiting hours. Please keep overnight tag visible and arrive to the patient room by 9:00 p.m.
  • MUHC may limit visitation/overnight stays if clinically indicated and/or if the visitor is not behaving in the benefit of the patient and becoming a disruption for staff.
    • For questions regarding our visitor policy, please contact
      • M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m Office of Patient Experience 573-884-0000
      • Non-business hours, House Manager or Security
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