Masks are optional for:

• Patients without COVID-19 symptoms, staff, visitors, volunteers and vendors.

Masks are strongly encouraged for:

Cancer and transplant patients, and those visiting or escorting these patients.

Masks are required for:

• People in the rooms of patients with some infectious health conditions.
• People with symptoms of respiratory illness.
• When requested by patients or family members of patients.

Masks will remain available at all our locations.   

One or two visitors may accompany each patient for clinical or procedural appointments. All outpatient visitors must:

• Not have symptoms of COVID-19 and follow masking and hand hygiene guidelines.

Learn more about what to expect when you arrive for your next visit

Nebraska Medical Center

• We allow one visitor in the waiting room for all patients.
• If waiting room becomes overcrowded, visitors may be directed to Storz Pavilion or Clarkson Cafe inside Clarkson Tower to wait.
• Two visitors can accompany a patient once patient is roomed.
• All visitors must follow hospital safety protocols.

Bellevue Medical Center

• Two adult visitors may accompany each patient.
• All visitors must follow hospital safety protocols. 

Inpatients can have two healthy visitors at a time.

Those wanting to visit patients with COVID-19, or those suspected of having COVID-19, must wear personal protective equipment.

General visitor hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Overnight visitor hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., seven days a week. One adult family support person (19 years or older) is allowed to visit during this time.

• Follow the masking guidelines in the patient's care area.
• Do not eat or drink in patient rooms or waiting areas.
• Wash your hands before entering and upon leaving patient rooms.
• Stay in the patient's room during the entire visit.
• Respect our visitor rules. One or two visitors are allowed at one time.
• The family support person may switch out during overnight hours, but only one person is allowed at a time.

Visitors and escorts will be asked to leave if our guidelines aren't followed.

• Only two visitors at a time.
• Be respectful of other patients if you are sharing a room.
• Keep visits short. Be sensitive to patient discomfort and the need for rest.
• Visitors may be asked to leave in order to honor the patient’s privacy, provide medical care or to ensure safety.
• Persons with infectious illnesses are asked not to visit. If you are not sure if you have a contagious condition, please speak with the nursing staff. Visitation may be restricted during outbreaks of infectious illnesses.
• For the health and safety of our patients, visitors may be asked to provide information on recent vaccines.
• Please respect our patients and visitors by refraining from entering restricted or private areas while playing smartphone games.
• The family support person may switch out during overnight hours, but only one person is allowed at a time.
• We ask that you share in our commitment to promote an environment of healing and restfulness for all patients. View our CARES pledge below. 

We are committed to creating a restful and healing space for our patients. Please join us by using these positive and respectful actions.

• Compassion: Be kind. Offer support.  
• Appreciation: Value everyone’s efforts. Honor individual differences.
• Respect: Be respectful in your actions and words. Show others they are valued.
• Empathy: Listen without judging. Seek to understand.
• Safety: Protect everyone’s physical and emotional well-being. 

Violence, threats, verbal abuse, aggression or discrimination will not be tolerated by anyone for any reason.

Nos comprometemos a crear un espacio de descanso y sanación para nuestros pacientes. Únase a nosotros utilizando estas acciones positivas y respetuosas.

• Compasion: Sea amable. Ofrezca apoyo.
• Aprecion: Valore los esfuerzos de todos. Respete las diferencias individuales.
• Respeto: Muestre respeto en sus acciones y palabras. Muestre a los demás que son valorados.
• Empatia: Escuche sin juzgar. Busque comprender.
• Seguridad: Proteja el bienestar físico y emocional de todos.
   

Nadie tolerará la violencia, las amenazas, el abuso verbal, la agresión o la discriminación por ningún motivo.

General visitor hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Visitors and escorts will be asked to leave if our guidelines aren't followed. 

Our goal is to create a calm, quiet and healing environment. Each unit has designated quiet hours. Ask your nurse what those hours are. Headphones and earplugs are available upon request. If you have a concern about the noise level in your area, please contact a member of your care team.

Overnight visitor hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., seven days a week. One adult family support person (19 years or older) is allowed to visit during this time.

Overnight visitors are not allowed at the Fritch Surgery Center at Lauritzen Outpatient Center.

After 10 p.m., visitors may enter through the main entrances of the Durham Outpatient Center, Clarkson Tower or the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. Upon security clearance, visitors will be issued a name tag at the security checkpoint. For Intensive Care Units, families are asked to designate one family member to communicate with the nurse by phone to allow the nurse more time with the patient. For Labor and Delivery Units, visitors may be limited and will be required to sign in upon entrance.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children are not allowed to stay overnight.

Visits are allowed outside regular visiting hours on the day of surgery. A special surgery waiting room is available on level two in Clarkson Tower at the Nebraska Medical Center and on level two of Bellevue Medical Center.

Guests are asked to use common courtesy and observe the posted quiet hours of 1 to 3 p.m. on all units.

• Parents may visit any time, including overnight stays.
• Grandparents, siblings and others may visit during regular visiting hours.
• Younger siblings may visit by special arrangement.
• Visitors under age 14 will be screened for illness.

• Spouses may visit at any time.
• Siblings may visit by special arrangement with the nurse.
• Others may visit from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.
• Visitors may be limited during the patient’s hospital stay and will be required to sign in upon entrance to the units.

Please note: access to the following areas are restricted as part of the Nebraska Medicine Newborn Infant Security System:

• Labor and Delivery West (level four, University Tower)
• Newborn Intensive Care Unit (level four, Hixson-Lied Center)

• Critical Care waiting areas are provided outside each intensive care unit.
• Clergy may visit any time at the discretion of the patient’s nurse.
  Visiting hours are unit specific. Visitors should discuss visiting guidelines and appropriate visiting hours with the nursing staff.
• After 10 p.m., visitors at the Nebraska Medical Center may enter through the main entrances of Clarkson Tower or the Durham Outpatient Center.
• Upon security clearance, visitors will be issued a name tag at the security checkpoint.

Families are asked to designate one family member to communicate with the nurse by phone to allow the nurse more time with the patient.