Currently, Penn Medicine has protocols in place to maximize the safety of all who enter our hospitals and facilities. These safety policies include limiting people from accompanying patients to appointments or seeing them in the hospital.
Hospital Visits
Due in part to different directives from the Pennsylvania and New Jersey state governments, our hospitals and facilities are operating differently with regards to their visitor guidelines. Please visit the location website listed below for more details about the visitation policy there.
Doctor's Office Visits
Restrictions on Visitors, Families and Support People of Patients
To keep all patients and staff safe, Penn Medicine is not allowing anyone besides patients and staff into our facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes children under the age of 18.
As an exception, patients may bring one support person with them to a doctor's office visit (outpatient appointment) in the following situations only:
- The patient is a minor under age 18. (All patients under 18 must have one healthy parent or guardian accompany them to their appointment.)
- The patient requires a caregiver to provide physical support for the duration of their appointment or to help them understand care instructions. (The support person must be healthy and over the age of 18.)
If you must have someone with you, please contact your doctor’s office.
If someone drives you to your appointment, unless they are an approved support person, they will not be permitted to wait for you inside the building, including in the lobby or cafeteria. They must wait for you outside of the building until your appointment is complete.
We realize that these restrictions may create challenges, and we are very sorry for any difficulties they may cause. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Patient and Guest Relations, and they can try to assist you.
Patient Visits: What to Expect During COVID-19
Watch our video guide on what to expect when you arrive for your next appointment.
Screening for COVID-19
One day before your appointment, we will send you an automated text or call to screen you for COVID-19 symptoms. If you have any symptoms that could be consistent with COVID-19 (these include fevers, chills, cough, loss of sense of taste or smell, muscle pain, headache, or sore throat), a Penn Medicine nurse will follow up with you to review your symptoms and determine next steps.
When entering any Penn Medicine hospital or outpatient facility, all patients and visitors are required to complete a health screening, which may include having your temperature checked and answering some questions about your health and any recent travel.
To save time checking in, complete our online symptom screening, called PennOpen Pass, before you arrive. This prescreener will generate a pass for you to enter the building. Once you get here, a Penn Medicine employee will check your pass, which you can show right on your mobile phone. Please do not fill out the screening more than 72 hours (3 days) before your appointment or visit.
Complete the PennOpen Pass prescreener
Any visitor who is sick, has a high risk of prior exposure or has traveled from a high-risk geographical area will not be permitted to enter any hospital or facility under any circumstances.
While you’re in the hospital or facility, visitors may have periodic monitoring.
In addition to patients, all staff, including physicians, surgeons and nurses, are being screened for COVID-19 symptoms and exposures before entering any of our facilities. Staff with any symptoms of COVID-19 are being tested, and staff with possible exposure to COVID-19 may require quarantine for a period of time prior to returning to work.
Face Coverings and Masks
To help maintain a healthy environment, we are requiring all patients and visitors to wear a face covering or mask at all times. We ask that you bring your own face covering or mask to wear.
- Your face covering or mask must fully cover both the nose and mouth.
- Cloth masks, surgical masks and regular N95 construction masks are permitted in Penn Medicine hospitals and facilities.
- Any mask with exhalation valves, gaiters, bandanas, scarves and gas masks will not be permitted in Penn Medicine hospitals and facilities.
- Face shields should not be worn instead of a mask, unless for medical reasons.
If you do not have a face covering, we will provide one.
In addition to covering your face, you should practice social distancing and try to restrict your mobility as much as possible.
We very much appreciate your cooperation.
Valet Parking
To limit COVID-19 exposure, valet service is currently closed at all Penn Medicine locations, with the exception of the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine and the Farm Journal Building at Pennsylvania Hospital. Valet parking at the Perelman Center and Pennsylvania Hospital is for patients who need assistance and can't park their cars themselves. If you can park, please use our parking garages.
Garage and outdoor parking, drop-offs, shuttle service and patient escorts are available at all locations.
If you choose to use valet service at the Perelman Center or Pennsylvania Hospital, please know that we are making it as safe as possible for you and our staff. Valet staff are being screened for COVID-19 each day. Each valet associate is issued PPE, including gloves, masks and safety goggles, and are given frequent breaks for hand-washing. We are also using PPE inside the actual vehicles, including steering wheel covers, shifter covers and seat covers.
We have made the handling of keys contact-less. You simply need to drop your keys into a clear bag: If the key has a metal stem for ignition, it will penetrate the bag, so the associate is only touching the plastic bag to turn on and off the car. If you use a key FOB, it will remain in the bag until delivery.
All vehicle PPE will be removed and disposed of prior to returning your car to you.
Get more information about parking at the site you will be visiting