Visitors
Visitor Guidelines
Mask / Face Covering Guidelines
As we move forward to transition into a new phase of delivering safe care alongside COVID-19, our masking guidelines will be aligned with local community transmission levels.
Levels may be Low/Moderate, Substantial or High.
Current COVID-19 community transmission level: MODERATE
If you have an appointment or are visiting a patient at a UnityPoint Health location, please follow these guidelines:
- Masking is optional at all area UnityPoint Health facilities for most patients, visitors and fully vaccinated team members.
- Patients, visitors or team members who would like to continue wearing masks are encouraged to do so.
- Individuals who should continue to mask, regardless of community transmission levels, include:
- Unvaccinated team members
- Patients, visitors and team members who have had a known COVID-19 exposure or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days
- All visitors/support people must be in good health. Please follow the self-screening guidelines provided upon entry.
- Anyone who has recently been exposed, is symptomatic, or has tested positive for COVID-19 should not visit until they have met the CDC's guidance for discontinuation of isolation.
Please note: If/when community levels change, we will appropriately amend the masking requirement.
Hospital Visitor Guidelines
All ages allowed: children 2+ must wear masks
- There are no visitor limits for inpatients with the exception of:
- Ambulatory Surgery: 2 visitors per stay allowed
- Emergency Department: only 2 visitors allowed per patient
- Outpatient Services / Clinics: only 1 visitor allowed per patient; children may also accompany parents
- Patients in isolation for COVID-19: no restrictions for inpatients.
- Individual departments may have more specific guidelines based on their patient population
- Visitors must follow Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) instructions as per any isolation guidelines:
- If PPE supplies become an issue or overall COVID-19 patient levels change in a manner that is concerning, visits to patients in any type of isolation may be suspended.
- Religious visitations by clergy, Eucharistic ministers and other faith-based leaders are allowed. These visitors are subject to screening for illness upon entry, required to wear a mask and perform hand hygiene according to hospital policy.
- Visiting hours: It is recommended that patients be visited between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. to assure they get needed rest. After 7 p.m., all visitors are asked to use the emergency department entrance.
- Visitors are reminded to wash and sanitize their hands upon entering and exiting a patient's room.
- UnityPoint Health team members have the right to request individuals who do not meet restriction criteria to leave the premises.
We appreciate your understanding during these uncertain times. Our goal is to protect our patients, team members and the community.
Clinic Visitor Restrictions
Adult appointments
- One support person allowed per patient, if needed
Pediatric appointments
- Both parents or guardians may be present, no siblings
All visitors or support people must be in good health (no fever, runny nose or cough in the last seven days).
Hours
Visitors can be good medicine for patients, and family members and friends are welcome to visit. However, a patient's care and well-being are our primary concerns at UnityPoint Health –Marshalltown. To enhance the quality of care, specific hours have been established. Visiting hours for most hospital units are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
Children
Children may visit patients on most floors and special units. However, we ask that children who are younger than 14 be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for the child's behavior. We ask that children stay in a patient's room or lounge throughout their visit.
Staying over night
If you wish to stay with your loved one overnight, please discuss this with the nursing staff so arrangements can be made.
Visiting Guidelines
- UnityPoint Health - Marshalltown is a tobacco-free campus. This affects both our indoor and outdoor properties. We are dedicated to providing a smoke-free environment for all patients, employees, visitors and staff. This policy complies with state law.
- Visitors must be dressed appropriately and must wear shirt and shoes.
- Visitors should maintain a quiet environment and avoid unnecessary noise.
- People with colds, sore throats or any contagious disease should not visit patients.
- Visits should be kept short.
- Visitors may be asked to leave the room during tests or treatments or when the physician or nurse needs to see the patient.
Waiting Areas
There are specially designated lounge areas for visitors on each patient floor, including the emergency department and main lobby.
A volunteer is on duty in the main lobby during regular business hours Monday through Friday. These volunteers are available to assist families waiting in the lobby area during their family member's surgery.
The volunteer on duty keeps family members informed about the progress of the surgery and the patient's condition.