Changes to Services and Visitation Policy

at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus

Safety is our commitment to you — please don’t delay your health care.

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

• Adult Inpatient unit, visitation at bedside is limited to (2) visitors at a time during visiting hours 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Intensive Care Unit/Critical Care Unit (Non-COVID) visitation at bedside is limited to (2) visitors at a time during visiting hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Outpatients may be accompanied by (2) support persons, who may be directed to an alternate waiting area to ensure physical distancing.

• Same Day Surgery or Medical Day Stay patients can have (2) visitors accompany them to the surgical prep area. It is recommended that the visitor leave during the procedure and rejoin the patient for the discharge process. Pediatric surgical patients are limited to parents or guardians. (max of (2) people).

• Non-COVID Emergency Department visitation at bedside is limited to (2) visitors at the bedside.

• Visitors under 12 years of age will not be permitted. Visitors age 12 to 18 must be accompanied by an adult and are considered the 2nd visitor.

Safety Measures

Please help us stop the spread of contagious respiratory illnesses.

Please defer your visit to another day:

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 and cannot wear a mask — even if you are asymptomatic.

When visiting our facility, all visitors are expected to adhere to the following safety recommendations:

• Wear an appropriate face mask. We will offer you a new mask for source control or may ask you to replace your own mask with a hospital-supplied mask.
• Clean your hands before and after your visit.
• Maintain physical distance.

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