Important Information About Visitation Guidelines

at Community Medical Center

Effective December 1, 2025

Masking

In response to an increase in key viral benchmarks across RWJBarnabas Health and the region, and in support of the total wellbeing of our communities, patients and colleagues, RWJBarnabas Health has implemented the following masking protocols at all system locations, effective Monday, December 1.

Inpatient Care Locations

• Physicians, providers and staff – Face masks must be worn when providing direct care to patients. All staff can also choose to wear a mask at any time.
• Patients – All inpatients who are able to will be required to wear a face mask when leaving their room and can also choose to wear a mask at any time.
• Visitors, volunteers and vendors – Face masks must be worn at all times in the presence of patients when at an RWJBarnabas Health facility.
• Every patient has the right to request physicians(s), provider(s) and/or staff wear a mask when treating them. If a request is made, physicians(s), provider(s) and/or staff are required to comply.

Outpatient and Medical Group Care Locations

• Masking will be required for all patients who present with respiratory symptoms, as well as all staff members and providers caring for them.
• Masking is strongly encouraged for all physicians, providers, staff,c patients, visitors and vendors at all times when in the presence of patients.
• Outpatient and Medical Group sites can make the decision to require universal masking at their location if they determine this is in the best interest of the patient population they serve, such as a location primarily serving immunocompromised patients.
• Every patient has the right to request physicians(s), provider(s) and/or staff wear a mask when treating them. If a request is made, physicians(s), provider(s) and/or staff are required to comply.

We will remain vigilant in monitoring benchmarks and may adjust policies accordingly to ensure the safety of our workforce and communities.

As always, we encourage you and our communities to take steps to reduce the spread of contagious illnesses by remaining up-to-date with appropriate vaccinations and boosters; choosing to wear a mask if you aren’t feeling well and/or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, influenza and/or another contagious illness; and observing isolation guidelines when appropriate.

Visiting Hours

Inpatient and Critical Care Units:

• Visiting Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Two visitors are allowed at a time per patient.
• All visitors must be 12 years of age or older, limited exceptions may be approved by the care team. All visitors 12 – 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Maternity (5E & 5F):

• A designated support person is allowed to stay 24/7.
• All siblings are allowed to visit during normal visitation hours (see above).
• Visitors 12 years of age or older person may visit two at a time during normal visitation hours (see above).

Labor and Delivery (5B):

• Two labor coaches and a doula are allowed if requested during labor.
• 24-hour visitation for the designated support person.

Special Care Nursery:

• Two visitors at a time.
• Grandparents and siblings three years of age and above may visit.

Emergency Department and Observation Unit on 3F:

• Two visitors per patient at a time.

Same Day Surgery, Cardiac Catheterization and Endoscopy:

• On the day of surgery and special procedures, two people can accompany the patient if it is a same-day procedure.
• Two visitors may visit with the patient before and after the procedure if they are already here as a patient.

Transitional Care Unit:

• On the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at CMC visitors, patients and staff are still required to wear a mask while on the unit.
• May limit to one visitor permitted at a time. Please call 732-557-2270 for the current guidelines.

Extenuating Circumstances

Extenuating circumstances to the visitation guidelines and individual requests will always be considered based on the best interest and needs of the individual patient. These extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to:

• Patients on hospice or at the end of life
• Patients who are critically unstable
• Patient's formal caregiver
• Patients in need of a medical guardian or decision-maker

Safety Measures

Upon checking in, please let a member of our team know if you are experiencing any of the following:

1. If you have a fever or have felt feverish in the last 24 hours or are experiencing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. Possible symptoms include, but are not limited to:
   • Fever or chills
   • Cough
   • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
   • Fatigue
   • Muscle or body aches
   • Headache
   • New loss of taste or smell
   • Sore throat
   • Congestion or runny nose
   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Diarrhea
2. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (or another contagious respiratory illness, such as influenza or RSV) within the last 10 days.
3. If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection (or another contagious respiratory illness) in the last 10 days even if you are asymptomatic.

Thank you for your cooperation and your efforts to help keep our patients, staff and communities safe.

Prior to and During the Visit

All visitors must perform hand hygiene before visiting a patient.

Once in the hospital or facility, visitors shall remain in the patient’s room (or Emergency Department bay) as much as possible throughout the visit, except when directed by hospital or facility staff to leave during aerosol-generating procedure or other procedures in which visitors are usually asked to leave.

If an aerosol-generating procedure needs to be performed on a patient, the visitor must leave the room during the procedure and for one hour after the procedure is complete.

All visitors must comply with all reasonable requirements imposed by the hospital or facility to minimize the potential spread of infection.

Gatherings of family members, friends and other acquaintances of the patient in family lounges, waiting areas, the lobby, cafeterias or restaurants on campus is not permitted.

Keeping You and Your Loved Ones Safe

RWJBH understands that a hospitalization can be a stressful and uncertain time for many. The visitation policy reflects our commitment to addressing the needs of our patients while prioritizing the safety of all those who enter our facilities.

Our staff and physicians are here to support you and your loved ones and will take into consideration any requests that are made beyond the parameters of this policy in the best interest of the patient.

With guidance from the New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and regional and local health departments, we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the health, well-being and safety of our patients, our staff and the communities we serve.

When not available to visit, we encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, FaceTime, Skype and other means.

In-Room Virtual Visits

We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.