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:
Effective May 21, 2021
Visiting Hours: 2 – 8 p.m.
All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, except in rare exceptions as determined by the facility:
- Adult Inpatient Acute Care Units: Two (2) visitors are allowed between the hours of 2:00 – 8:00 pm for non-COVID 19 patients. There is no visitation for patients with COVID-19. Exceptions will be made for patients receiving compassionate end of life care, parents of minors and caregivers of those with special needs.
- Labor and Delivery: One significant other is permitted, not including a doula. A doula is also permitted throughout the stay.
- Post-Partum: A total of two (2) visitors may visit at one time. This includes the significant other. No visitors under 12 permitted.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)/ Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) / Pediatrics: A total of two (2) visitors at the bedside. This includes parents/guardians. No visitors under 12 permitted.
- Emergency Department: One (1) visitor allowed. The care team must approve any exceptions. For pediatric patients, two (2) parents or guardians may accompany the patient.
- Same Day Surgery and Procedures: One (1) visitor allowed. 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.
- Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU): One (1) visitor allowed for 10 minutes. Exceptions are made for age and when clinically indicated.
- Outpatient visitation is dependent on the specific service area. Please call and speak to the department prior to arriving at the facility.
Visiting hours in the below areas end at 7:00 pm:
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU)/ Coronary Care Unit (CCU)/ Burn Intensive Care Unit (BICU): Two (2) visitors allowed if clinically indicated.
- Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU): Please call unit to arrange.
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.
Safety Measures: Symptom Screening
All visitors will be screened for the following and may or may not be allowed to visit or stay based on:
-
Symptom Screening
All visitors will be asked about symptoms and if they’ve had a fever in the last 24 hours upon entering our facilities. If they present with cold or flu-like symptoms, they will not be allowed entry into the facility as recommended by the CDC. -
COVID-19 Exposure
If any visitor has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 10 days or has been advised to self-quarantine because of exposure to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, they will not be allowed to visit.
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.