Important Information About Visitation Guidelines

at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway

Effective February 2, 2026

Visitation Hours

Standard Visiting Hours

All RWJBarnabas Health adult acute-care hospitals hold visiting hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.

We recognize the vital role that families and loved ones play in supporting a patient’s care and well-being. When medically appropriate, exceptions to standard visiting hours such as end-of-life care, visitors of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), parents/guardians of pediatric patients, disabled patients with caregivers, and the care partner program can be granted to accommodate unique patient and caregiver needs.

Patients and families are encouraged to speak with their care team during a hospital stay to discuss individual circumstances.

Additional Visitation Guidelines

Visiting hours for specific units may vary. Please be sure to review the visitation guidelines below before visiting.

• Inpatient acute care units: No more than two visitors per inpatient.

• Emergency Department: One visitor at the bedside.

• Pediatric units: Two parents or guardians at the bedside.
• Surgery: One visitor allowed for surgery and procedure patients until the patient is taken to the pre-op area. One visitor allowed when patient is in recovery and preparing for discharge.

• End-of-life: Two visitors may visit at the same time.

• COVID-19-positive patients: No visitors are permitted except for circumstances approved by the care team.

• All visitors 14 years of age and under: Will not be permitted.

We encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, Facetime, Skype and other means.

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.

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.

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.

We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.