Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania visitor policies

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania building entrance and valet
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Visitors are welcome at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. All visitors must check in at the front desk and wear a visible visitor pass.

Doctor’s office visits

We have policies and guidelines to help make sure you receive high-quality care in a safe, respectful, and dignified environment. Our guidelines may change in response to increases in COVID cases or other respiratory illnesses in our region.

Please review our Code of Conduct, safety information, and visitor guidelines, which cover masking, visitation, and service dogs and emotional support animals in our facilities.

View information for procedure or surgery visits

In-patient visits

We welcome family members as care partners and ask everyone to support a respectful environment for all patients by following the Penn Medicine Code of Conduct.

  • One adult family member can visit at the patient’s bedside at any time.
  • Visitor limits depend on patient needs, unit activity, and space and may change during the stay. For a break, visit the Family Caregiver Centers, or check out our amenities.
  • COVID-19 patients may have two healthy visitors during regular visiting hours. Some units may have additional limits.
  • All visitors must follow infection precautions, including wearing masks, gowns, and gloves as needed. Hand hygiene is required when entering and exiting rooms.
  • Children must be supervised by an adult other than the patient or care team. The Family Caregiver Centers have activities, books, and support for children.

Masking guidelines

Updated Jan. 13, 2026

There are high rates of flu and other respiratory viruses in our region. To help keep everyone safe, Penn Medicine suggests that all patients and visitors wear masks in our hospitals and practices. Patients with a cough, runny nose, or other respiratory symptoms will be asked to wear a mask during their visit, and visitors with symptoms will be asked not to visit.

Patients, visitors, and staff must continue to wear masks in areas where patients with weakened immune systems receive care. This includes:

  • Emergency Department and urgent care waiting rooms
  • Dedicated cancer, radiation oncology, and transplant clinics
  • Infusion centers

Staff will also wear masks while directly caring for all patients.

Procedure or surgery visits

To help ensure the safety of our patients and staff, you may only bring healthy visitors with you on the day of surgery. Both you and your visitors must be fever free, cannot show any other signs of illness, and must not have tested positive to or been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 10 days.

If you choose not to have a visitor escort you, we can make arrangements to keep your family updated.

Schedule an appointment

We can help you schedule an appointment or you can search our directory of specialists.