Visiting hours and welcome centers

At UF Health, we recognize that loved ones and family members, however they are defined, have an important role in each patient’s support system ― and they are vital members of a patient’s health care team.

UF Health Shands Hospital and adult hospitals

• General visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Hours may vary by floor. We also encourage "quiet hours" to help with the healing process, so please confirm details with your nurse.
• Visitors under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult who will be asked to complete a child visitation screening form. This form asks about the general health of the child and recent exposure to communicable diseases such as measles, mumps and chicken pox. Please see a nurse for details.
• Visiting children should have their immunizations up to date. Having your child immunized is the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of childhood diseases.
• It is usually best to limit visitors to two at a time, to respect the comfort of all of our patients.
• For the protection and safety of all patients, we are unable to accept visitors who are ill or have recently been exposed to any communicable diseases. This includes any visitor exposed to or having a communicable disease such as measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, pertussis or impetigo.
• For tips and caregiver information, please visit the For the Caregiver page.

Emergency rooms and centers

Pediatric E.R.

• Two visitors will be allowed at a time.
• Any visitor under the age of 14 must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Adult E.R. and UF Health Emergency Centers

• One visitor will be allowed in the ED bay.

Labor and delivery units

Normal vaginal delivery

• One visitor at the bedside for triage.
• Two visitors at the bedside during labor, birth and two-hour recovery period after birth.

C-section delivery

• One visitor at the bedside for triage.
• One visitor in the operating room and recovery room (PACU).
• No unsupervised children under the age of 14 are permitted to visit, except siblings of newborns.

Mother/Baby unit (Antepartum and Unit 95)

• Visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• No unsupervised children under the age of 14 are permitted to visit, except siblings of newborns.

NICU (Neonatal ICU)

• Two adult visitors, including the newborn’s mother, will be allowed for the duration of the patient’s stay and must rotate so there are only two adult visitors at a time.
• No children under the age of 14 are permitted to visit.

UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital

• Two visitors may be at the bedside during visiting hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• One visitor may remain overnight at the bedside.
• Visitors are required to have a Passage Point sticker. Please visit Guest Services on the first floor of the children’s hospital. You must have a government issued photo ID to get a sticker.

Siblings

• In addition to two adult visitors, no more than two children are allowed at the bedside during the visit.
• All visitors under 14 years of age must be supervised by an adult at all times. If multiple siblings are visiting, they will need to rotate.
• An adult patient is not allowed to be the supervising caregiver.
• Patients 17 years old and older do not need approval by a parent/guardian to have visitors. Visitors must follow all guidelines.
• Screening criteria set by infection control must be met.
• No child will be allowed to visit if they have signs or symptoms of an infection.

UF Health Psychiatric Hospital

• Two visitors at any given time.
• No children under the age of 18 are allowed to visit.
• Visitor self-screening is required for entry; visitors who have signs and symptoms of illness, including fever, cough or shortness of breath are not allowed to visit.

Daily visitation hours

• Adolescents — 5 to 7 p.m.
• Adults:
  • East — 4 to 6 p.m
  • West — 4 to 6 p.m.
  • North — 5 to 7 p.m.
• Please call (352) 627-0034 for questions regarding visiting hours.

Outpatient practices

We try to be respectful of all patients by managing the total number of people in our clinical spaces. When others must accompany a patient to an appointment, please limit it to the least number of guests possible (for example, parents of a child or support individuals for a vulnerable individual).

Welcome Centers

When you arrive, please visit our Welcome Centers. Our volunteers will provide you information about UF Health and the Gainesville community:

• Maps for UF Health and Gainesville maps

• Parking information and long-term parking permits

• Shuttle bus and public transportation information

• Visiting hours for UF Health units

• Information and directions for hotels, motels, restaurants, retail and local entertainment

• Locations of pharmacies, supermarkets and laundromats

Welcome Center locations

UF Health Shands Hospital

• East Lobby Entrance
  Monday–Friday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.,
  Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  (352) 265-0111 ext. 4-5758
• Atrium
  Monday–Friday, Hours Vary
  (352) 265-0111 ext. 4-5354

UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital

• Guest Relations
  Monday–Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  (352) 265-0111 ext. 3-0914
• Oak Hammock Concierge Center
  Located in the Andy & Toni Crawford Lobby
  Monday–Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  (352) 265-0111 ext. 3-0914

UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital

• Monday–Sunday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  (352) 265-0111 ext. 4-5674

Medical Plaza

• Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  (352) 265-0111 ext. 5-8280

The Davis Cancer Pavilion

• Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  (352) 265-0111 ext. 8-7882

Face mask policy for UF Health facilities

Generally speaking, face masks are not required in UF Health facilities. However, to ensure the health and safety of our patients, visitors and employees, properly worn face masks will be required under special circumstances.