You’ve taken every precaution, and so have we.

The safety and health of our patients, caregivers and team members are always our highest priorities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, RWJBarnabas Health - including our hospitals, outpatient centers and medical group practices - has worked with guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and regional and local health agencies to address this serious public health issue.

Surgeon

For RWJBarnabas Health, as a high reliability organization, safety comes first and is embedded in everything we do. With the safety of our patients and team members at the forefront, we are taking the appropriate precautions and using best practices to continue to ensure the highest quality care, protection, support and comfort for all of our patients.

Some of these measures include:

  • Adherence to the guidance and established criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Hospital Association, leading national associations of nurses, surgeons and anesthesiologists, and the New Jersey Department of Health.
  • Staff vigilance regarding the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with all patients, including COVID-19 positive and non-COVID patients.
  • Stringent cleaning and disinfection throughout our facilities and in all rooms, including equipment and surfaces, frequently and between patients.
  • Continued restriction of visitors.
  • Social and physical distancing measures for all people in our facilities – in all employee and patient areas – such as minimizing time in waiting areas, spacing chairs at least 6 feet apart, marking floors with tape at proper intervals and maintaining low patient flow so as not to cause crowding.
  • Strict hand hygiene and availability of hand sanitizer in all employee and patient areas.
  • Virtual communication for patients to connect with their loved ones.
  • Continued preparation and readiness for potential future surges.

telemedicine

We continue to offer telemedicine for virtual visits. Telehealth services at RWJBH and Telehealth through the Medical Group.

Schedule Your Online Visit Now

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:

  • Clean your hands before and after your visit.
  • Maintain physical distance.

All patients who are COVID-positive or presumptive positive will continue to be separated from the general population.

Masking Policy

Effective April 1, 2024, masking is optional at all RWJBarnabas Health locations for staff, providers, patients, visitors, volunteers and vendors.

Please note:

  • Masking may still be required for certain patients on standard infection prevention protocols, and/or on units responsible for the care of vulnerable patients at the determination of each site.
  • Masks continue to be available to staff, providers, patients, visitors, volunteers and vendors in our facilities.
  • Masking is requested of all patients who present with respiratory symptoms, if tolerated, as well as all staff members and providers caring for them.
  • Should a patient request their caregivers wear a mask, staff and providers are expected to comply.

Doctor and patient

    Emergency Departments

    We recognize that patients and their families may be fearful of seeking medical care at this time. However, it is vitally important to understand that care should not be delayed for patients experiencing signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke or other emergencies. RWJBarnabas Health remains ready to safely provide care in our Emergency Departments.

    We are here for you. We are all in this together.

    Thank you for your support and understanding.