Important Information About Visitation Guidelines
at Saint Barnabas Medical Center
The safety and well-being of our patients, visitors and staff is our number one priority. Please be aware of the following newly revised guidelines before visiting one of our hospitals or healthcare facilities:
Visiting Hours: 2 – 8 p.m.
Exceptions will be made for patients receiving compassionate end-of-life care, parents of minors and caregivers of those with special needs.
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Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
No visitation. -
Critical Care Unit (CCU)
One (1) visitor is allowed per day until 7 p.m. -
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU)
One visitor. 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m. -
Pediatric Units
Two parents or guardians are permitted at any time where the patient is a minor. If the pediatric patient has COVID-19, only one parent will be allowed. -
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Two parents/support persons are permitted at any time. -
Maternity and Labor & Delivery Units
One significant other OR support person is permitted. A doula is also permitted throughout labor, delivery and the entire postpartum hospital stay. The doula shall not count as the support person. The Doula will be required to provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result from a commercial lab dated within 14 days of the Doula presenting to Labor and Delivery. In the event of a cesarean section, only one support person will be permitted in the operating room which can be either the birth partner or the Doula. -
Emergency Department
One (1) visitor allowed. The care team must approve any exceptions. For pediatric patients, two parents or guardians may accompany the patient. - Same Day Surgery and Procedures One visitor. Pediatric same day surgery or procedure patients may have one parent in pre and post op areas. One visitor may accompany a patient with an intellectual, developmental or other cognitive disability.
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Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
No visitation. Exceptions are made for age and when clinically indicated. -
Outpatients
Outpatient visitation is strongly discouraged and dependent on the specific service area. Please call and speak to the department prior to arriving at the facility.
COVID-19 Patient Visitation
Visitation for patients with confirmed COVID-19 will be restricted to extenuating circumstances only such as hospice or end of life. For patients who are Persons Under Investigation (PUI) that have symptoms, visitation will be on hold for 24 hours or until COVID-19 test results are available.
Temperature, Symptom and Travel Screening
Approved visitors will be screened for the following and may not be allowed to visit or stay based on:
- Temperature
- Recent international travel history; anyone who has traveled within the last 14 days from states identified on the NJDOH travel restriction list or who has returned from international travel within the last 14 days will not be allowed to visit
- Recent domestic travel to areas with widespread COVID-19 infection
- Contact with individuals with known COVID-19; If any visitor has been advised to self-quarantine, they will not be allowed to visit.
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
All visitors will be required to wear a face mask. They may wear their own face mask/covering upon arrival to and throughout their stay in the facility, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If they do not have their own face mask/covering they will be provided one.
At the time of entrance, all visitors will be provided instruction on how to wear face masks. An instruction sheet is posted throughout our facilities.
If an individual is permitted to visit a COVID-19-positive patient because of extenuating circumstances or if a patient is on isolation precautions, they will be provided with and must wear appropriate PPE as recommended by the CDC. Staff will direct the visitor on the appropriate PPE.
If a visitor refuses to wear a mask or other PPE as indicated, that individual will be asked to leave the facility.
* Face masks with valves will not be permitted as the valves allow unfiltered air to be released. This does not protect others from bacteria spread, per the CDC.
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.
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.
We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.