Your comfort

Family and visitor guidelines

family

UCLA recognizes the vital role family members and friends play in enhancing the health and well-being of patients. Immediate family members and others designated by the family are encouraged to visit or to call for information about the patient's condition. If the patient consents, it is recommended that a family spokesperson be chosen to relay information to others who may not be able to visit.

The well-being of patients is the most important consideration when making decisions regarding visitors and visiting hours. The number of visitors allowed will depend on the needs of the patient and space considerations.

  • Our patients, if able, determine who visits them and when. If the patient wishes, visitors and families are welcome 24 hours a day. This may be modified at times by the nursing staff to meet the needs of the patient.
  • Please do not visit if you are ill with an infectious disease such as a cold or the flu.
  • To prevent transmission of germs, please clean your hands with soap and water or waterless hand sanitizer.
  • For patient safety, visits by children require clearance from the medical team and primary nurse to ensure that a sick child does not expose patients to other illnesses. For the child's safety, a responsible adult is required to be present at all times to supervise the child. Child Life specialists are available to help prepare children for visits with hospitalized parents or immediate family members.
  • With the exception of service dogs and UCLA pet-therapy dogs, no animals are permitted in the hospital.
  • Visiting hours in Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA are determined according to program needs.

Food services 310-267-9218
UCLA is proud to offer healthy, gourmet meals to patients. Dieticians work closely with your doctors and nurses to ensure that your nutritional needs are met during your stay. They can provide you and your family with information on special diets and discuss any nutritional concerns.

Hotel-style room service is available and may be ordered from 6:45 am until 7:30 pm. You will receive a menu that complies with the diet ordered by your physician. There is a signature dining button on your phone, or you can call x79218.

Television
Every patient room is equipped with a television. A complete listing of TV channels and stations is available on Channel 10.

Using your telephone
For your convenience, your bedside telephone has its own direct telephone number and is available to you for outgoing calls, 24 hours a day. Telephone calls inside the UCLA campus and calls to local Los Angeles telephone numbers (selected prefixes within the 310, 323, 213 and 818 area codes) are free. Long distance calls will incur a charge.

  • Quick dialing tips:
    • For all phone calls within the hospital or any on-campus departments, simply dial the five-digit extension (the last five digits).
    • For local calls, dial 8, then 1, then the area code and number.
    • For long distance calls, dial 80# and wait for the operator to answer. Calls placed through the operator will be charged at a higher operator-assisted rate.
  • Cell phones
    Visitors and families are permitted to use cell phones.

Internet access

internet

Convenient wireless high-speed Internet is available through MedGuest to patients and family members throughout the medical center. Patients and family need to provide their own laptop. The password to access the Internet is available from the Information Desk, Patient Affairs or the nursing station.

Faxing and copying
Patient Affairs, located on Level 1, can assist with faxing and copying.

Automated Teller Machine (ATMs)
For your convenience, an ATM is located near the Gift Shop.

Resources

Cashiering Services 310-267-9400
Cashiering Services is located on Level 1 adjacent to the Gift Shop. Cash, personal checks, traveler's checks and most major credit cards are accepted for payment of hospital charges and other services. The office hours are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

playroom

Chase Child Life Program 310-267-9440 Child life/child development services are available to provide counseling and emotional support for chronically and acutely ill children and their families during medical events. Through play, education and other therapeutic interventions, children and their families have the opportunity to develop positive coping skills, increase understanding, optimize developmental potential and express concerns. Child Life specialists provide individualized and group therapeutic intervention at the bedside or in pediatric activity areas on a regular basis. Visit the Chase Child Life Program website to learn more.

International patients 310-794-8759
All patients receiving care at UCLA who reside outside of the United States should contact the International Relations Department for assistance with physician appointments, review of medical records, facilitation of care, and information about transportation, housing and other resources.

Interpreter Services 310-267-8001
The UCLA Health Interpreter/Translation Program is available to all UCLA Health inpatients, outpatients and their relatives. Every attempt is made to provide services in any language, either by an in-person interpreter or by telephone. Written translations of certain medical documents, correspondence and patient-education materials are available. However, in-house translation services are limited and some requests will be referred to outside agencies and independent translators.

For the hearing impaired 310-267-8001
A telecommunications device is available to help hearing-impaired patients or patients who want to communicate with a hearing-impaired relative or friend. Arrangements can be made through Interpreter Services to have a sign-language interpreter assist a hearing-impaired patient.

UCLA Health Ethics Center 310-794-6219
Specialists in ethics, in conjunction with the UCLA Ethics Committee, are available to help patients, their families and the healthcare teams address ethical issues. An effort is made to assess the values and the concerns of those involved and to facilitate understanding of goals of treatment, the plan of care or decision-making when patients are unable to do so for themselves. 

Notary public 310-267-9114
If you need a notary public, the Patient Affairs Office can provide a list of private notary publics who are not affiliated with the university. These private notaries charge for their services.

Private-duty nursing 310-267-9671

child

You, your family or your doctor may request private-duty nursing. Since insurance carriers typically do not cover it, there is an additional cost for this service. To request a private-duty nurse, call the Nurse Staffing Office at 310-267-9671.To pay for private-duty nursing, please call Admissions at 310-267-8000.

Religious services 310-825-7484
An interfaith Meditation Room/Chapel, located on the first floor, is available for private prayer and meditation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Religious services are available in the hospital and on campus. Interfaith chaplains are always available for spiritual care and assistance and sacramental ministries.

Programs for healing

PAC (People-Animal Connection) Program 310-267-8184
PAC is a volunteer group that provides animal-assisted therapy and companionship to aid in the comfort and healing of critically ill patients and their families at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Evidence shows that PAC visits help patients lower blood pressure, speed the healing process, improve results of physical therapy and improve mental well-being. If you are interested, please discuss the option with your physician to make sure you are medically cleared for a pet visitation. For more information, visit the PAC website.

Massage therapy 310-206-3055
Massage therapy for relaxation and stress reduction is available for patients and families. Ask your nurse for more information.

Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program
An integrative therapy session incorporates three gentle healing modalities - Reiki, essential oil therapy and yoga therapy - to address the primary symptoms of pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, constipation and exhaustion. Ask your nurse for more information.

Special services for patients and families

Information desk West 310-267-9119 | East 310-267-9120
Information desks are available to assist you and your visitors with a variety of services:

  • Locate patient rooms and hospital services
  • Locate UCLA campus and neighboring services
  • Provide maps
  • Provide a list of hotels and RV parks near the medical center

Food and beverages
The Edward D. and Anna Mitchell Family Foundation Dining Commons offers a diverse selection of meals in an inviting indoor or outdoor setting. The Dining Commons is located on Level 1 and is open Monday through Friday, 6:30 am to 10:00 pm, and on weekends and holidays from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm.

For your convenience, grab-and-go snacks, sandwiches, salads and beverages are available at the Café, located on Level B. Vending machines are located on Level B near the Café.

Gift Shop 310-267-9522
Operated by the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Auxiliary, the Gift Shop offers flowers and plants, greeting cards, candy, gifts, toys, games, sundries, magazines and UCLA signature items. Delivery of gifts to patient rooms is complimentary. The Gift Shop is located on Level 1 and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm, and from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday. For more information, visit the Gift Shop website.

Lodging

tiverton

Tiverton House is a guest hotel designed to meet the needs of patients and families. Tiverton House offers comfortable accommodations, complimentary continental breakfast, laundry facilities, an exercise room, a children's playroom, a community kitchen and more. It is located within walking distance to the medical center, and shuttle service is available Monday through Friday. Please call 310-794-0151 for Tiverton House reservations.

The Patient Family Assistance Program helps families in financial need by offering affordable lodging options near UCLA.

Parking
Patients and visitors to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA and UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital have valet parking available on Westwood Plaza. When leaving, you will retrieve your vehicle from the Valet Lobby located on Level P. Patient drop-off is available at all entrances. Alternate parking is available at UCLA Medical Plaza and on campus.

For information regarding long-term discounted parking permits, contact Patient Affairs 310-267-9113. For current parking rates and more information, go to transportation.ucla.edu or call 310-825-3618.

Security and escort services 310-267-7100
If your visitors would like to be escorted to their car after dark, we will provide an escort for their safety. Ask your nurse or the clerk at the nursing station to make the call, or you may call yourself at the number above.

Maddie's Room (Surgical Waiting Room)

maddies room

Maddie's Room is a comfortable surgical waiting area located on the first floor near the eastside Information Desk. A volunteer from the Recovery Room will call the surgical waiting area to notify the visitor when the patient has arrived in the Recovery Room.

Family Support and Hospitality 310-267-8180
Our volunteers offer special services to families, including concierge services, complimentary newspapers, family comfort care kits, wireless Internet, harp and tea service, Music at the Med, and more.

Garden of Peace
The Garden of Peace offers a tranquil outdoor retreat for patients and their families to enjoy.

Support Groups
UCLA offers support groups and other educational programs. Please ask your nurse or physician about any programs that may benefit you or your family.

UCLA Blood and Platelet Center 310-825-0888
The UCLA Blood and Platelet Center offers opportunities to donate blood components for a specific patient or for your own surgery. Volunteer and directed donors may give specific blood components, including single or double red blood cells, platelets and plasma through our Automated Blood Collection Program. To schedule an appointment or to schedule a blood drive, call the number above or visit our website at uclahealth.org/gotblood.