Visitor Guidelines
Mask / Face Covering Guidelines
As we move forward to transition into a new phase of delivering safe care alongside COVID-19, masking guidelines are aligned with local community transmission levels.
Levels may be Low/Moderate, Substantial or High.
Current COVID-19 community transmission level: SUBSTANTIAL
If you have an appointment or are visiting a patient at a UnityPoint Health location, please follow these guidelines.
- Masking is required at all UnityPoint Health facilities for patients, visitors and team members.
- All visitors/support people must be in good health and will be screened prior to entrance into the hospital for recent exposure to COVID-19 and symptoms related to COVID-19.
- 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
- Visitors who are not in good health but MUST be present in the facility must wear a mask at all times
Please note: If/when community levels change, we will appropriately amend the masking requirement.
Hospital Visitor Guidelines
- All visitors must be over the age of 12
- Ambulatory Surgery & MHU: 2 visitors per day allowed
- ICU & NICU: 4 visitors per day allowed
- There are no visitor restrictions for inpatients in departments not listed above
- Individual departments may have more specific guidelines based on their patient population (e.g. ICU, labor & delivery, NICU, MHU, pediatrics, hospice, etc.)
- Emergency Department: only 2 visitors allowed per patient
- Outpatient Services / Clinics: only 1 visitor allowed per patient; children may accompany parents
- Patients in isolation for COVID-19: no restrictions for inpatients; individual departments may have more specific guidelines
- Visitors must follow PPE instructions as per any isolation guidelines
- If personal protective equipment (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 will be 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 (Entrance 4)
- Visitors are reminded to wash and sanitize their hands upon entering and exiting a patient's room
- Allen Hospital 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, staff and the community.
Entrance Closures
Allen Hospital has closed entrances 1, 3, 5, 6 and 9 to the public.
- Entrance 2 will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday
- Emergency Entrance 4 will be open 24/7, as usual
- Entrance 8 will remain open Monday-Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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) and must be 16 years of age or older.
For more ways to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, and for the latest updates and guidance in this rapidly evolving situation, please visit the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov or Iowa Department of Public Health at www.idph.iowa.gov.
UnityPoint Clinic Alerts
Prescription Pick Up
Curbside, Drive-thru or Pick-up at Our Retail Pharmacies
Allen Clinic Pharmacy and Prairie Parkway Pharmacy offer in-store medication pick-up, drive-up service (curbside and drive-thru pick-up), home delivery and mail out services. If picking-up inside of the pharmacy, please follow masking guidelines provided upon entry into either Allen Hospital or UnityPoint Health – Prairie Parkway.
- Drive-thru and Curbside options are great grab and go options!
- Allen Clinic Pharmacy — call (319) 235-3777, option 3 to have your prescription delivered to your car
- Prairie Parkway Pharmacy — call (319) 222-2906 ext 4 to have your prescription ready before coming to the drive-thru
- Free Mail Out and Home Delivery options are available too. Give us a call!
Clinic Visitor Restrictions
In our clinics, we're restricting visitors to one support person for adult appointments and two support people (with no siblings) for pediatric appointments. All visitors/support people must be in good health (no fever, running nose or cough during the last seven days) and must be age 16 or older (including siblings).
Virtual Clinic Visits
When appropriate, more clinic visits are being completed over the phone to limit face-to-face interaction and promote physical distancing. Situations best-suited for a telephone visit include follow-up on chronic medical conditions, medication management or other appointments for established patients that don't rely on a physical examination from a provider.
Virtual Waiting Rooms
UnityPoint Health has partnered with WELL Health, Inc. to create a virtual waiting room. This has been implemented in the Waterloo region allows patients to notify the healthcare facility when they arrive by responding to an automated appointment reminder. The patient will then receive text instructions on registration and when and how to safely enter the building.
Cancellations & Updates
Classes, Support Groups, Meetings & Events
Breastfeeding Support Group
The Breastfeeding Support Groups will begin again in June 2022.
- Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. — Allen Hospital (Waterloo): OB Classroom
- Thursdays, 4-5 p.m. — UnityPoint Health – Prairie Parkway (Cedar Falls): Conference Room 1
Please call (319) 235-3620 for help with your questions or to set up individual lactation consultations.
Changes in Department or Business Hours
Gift Shop Open
The Allen Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Universal masking and social distancing guidelines remain in place. Please follow masking guidelines provided upon entry to Allen Hospital.
Visitors may also call (319) 235-3880 during open hours to place an order or order anytime online and we will be happy to deliver to the patient.
Vendor Restrictions
As of March 10, 2020, UnityPoint Health is restricting in-person, vendor visits for sales and marketing calls, routine business reviews, and any other non-critical meetings. Vendor visits required for direct patient care or business critical functions (ex: equipment repair) are permissible with the appropriate screening and precautions. This change is to reduce risk of exposure to patients, team members and vendors during the global outbreak of COVID-19.
We will communicate accordingly when in-person vendor visits are reinstated. Thank you for your cooperation.