Hospital Visitor Policies During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many hospitals have enacted “No Visitor” policies that prevent patients in the hospital from having family members or caregivers visit them in the hospital. Visitor policies are developed by each individual hospital or hospital system. Thus, visitor policies vary from hospital to hospital. The “No Visitor” policies have been implemented to try to reduce the number of people exposed to COVID-19. These policies are challenging for patients and their loved ones, especially patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities who may have difficulty communicating their needs or understanding and coping with care plans and treatments.