« Important COVID-19 Announcements

Hackensack Meridian Health hospital visitation policies follow the recommendations from the New Jersey Hospital Association. The guidelines establish color codes based upon the risk of COVID-19 spread, the number of COVID-19 patients and hospital staffing and equipment levels. The risk levels are updated every Wednesday, so please be sure to check back here, or call your local Office of Patient Experience to confirm any visitation restrictions before visiting.  

As of Wednesday, September 29, the following HMH hospitals are in the risk Level Yellow, which means there are limitations on visitation, limiting the number of visitors, with exceptions and requirements below.

Bayshore Medical Center

           Jersey Shore University Medical Center

           Ocean University Medical Center

           Riverview Medical Center

           Southern Ocean Medical Center

All other HMH hospitals listed below are in the risk Level Green, which permits visitation with some exceptions and requirements below.

  Hackensack University Medical Center

           JFK University Medical Center

           Old Bridge Medical Center

           Palisades Medical Center

           Raritan Bay Medical Center

General inpatient visitation hours:  Before visiting, please call the Office of Patient Experience at the hospital you wish to visit to confirm their visitation hours (PLEASE NOTE: for specialty care units, including ICUs, Psychiatry, Emergency Department, and Labor and delivery, please verify visitation hours and procedures with the care team).

For Inpatient Pediatrics:  At the time of admission, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will be informed of the visitation guidelines and will also identify the other adults who can visit the child based on the unit, the child’s condition, and the current NJHA hospital visitation code.

Reaching Our Hospitals

Please contact our hospitals below if you need specific information regarding visiting hours.

Keeping Families Connected

While in-person visitation is restricted and/or limited, HMH is committed to keeping our patients connected to their loved ones during their stay through our Keeping Families Connected Program. Staff at the hospital’s Office of Patient Experience can help you receive updates and arrange phone and video calls. While your loved one is with us, we will ensure you connect with them safely.

We are sensitive to the separation this restriction causes our patients and their loved ones, but we believe this measure of protection is essential to keep people safe. The health and safety of our patients, their families and our team members remain a top priority.

Please see the definitions below for more information related to the risk levels, and visitation restrictions and exceptions.

Risk Level Definitions

Level Red

A red level restricts in-person visitation, with limited exceptions and requirements, including:

• One visitor permitted, a partner in care
• Partner in Care must be same person for duration of stay, except for end of life*
• Pediatrics
• Labor and delivery
• End of life
• Patients with intellectual, developmental, or other cognitive disabilities

NOTE: To ensure the safety of all, visits must be scheduled through hospital’s Office of Patient Experience. All visitor exceptions must be approved by the care team, and must follow requirements on masking, symptom screening and other precautions.

Level Yellow

A level yellow limits the number of visitors to one visitor per inpatient admission with exceptions and requirements. To ensure the safety of all, it is preferred that visits are coordinated with the hospital’s Office of Patient Experience:

NOTE:

• Visitation is suspended for COVID-19 patients, except for circumstances approved by the care team.
• Visitation is suspended for those who are immunocompromised, except for circumstances approved by the care team. The definition for immunocompromised patients includes:
  • Patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer
  • Patients within one year of receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplant
  • Patients who have undergone solid organ transplant and who are still receiving anti-rejection medications
  • Patients with untreated HIV infection with CD4 T lymphocyte count < 200
  • Patients with combined primary immunodeficiency disorder
  • Patients who are receiving prednisone >20mg/day for more than 14 days

Level Green

A level green is a lower level of COVID-19 risk and permits visitation, with some exceptions and requirements as follows:

• Visitation is suspended for COVID-19 patients, except for circumstances approved by the care team.
• Visitation is suspended for those who are immunocompromised, except for circumstances approved by the care team.
• Other patients may have two visitors at a time. They must follow requirements on masking, symptom screening and other precautions.

Exceptions and Requirements

All exceptions must be approved by the care team.

The policy also includes the following requirements for hospital visitors:

• All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, except for exceptions approved by the care team.
• All visitors must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. Bandanas, gaiters, or masks with exhalation valves are not permitted because they don’t provide sufficient protection.
• All guests must undergo a symptom check, which can be completed within 24 hours of visit by going to Guest Video and Screening Portal or can be done upon entering the hospital/site.  Self-screening iPads are available at all hospital visitor entrances.  Once a visitor has passed the screening, they can proceed to the information desk for further assistance.
• All visitors must perform hand hygiene before visiting a patient.
• Once in the hospital, visitors must remain in the patient’s room (or emergency department bay) throughout the visit, except when directed otherwise by hospital staff.
• All visitors must comply with hospital requirements to minimize the potential spread of infection.
• *Exceptions may apply to pediatrics, labor and delivery, end of life, and patients with intellectual, developmental, or other cognitive disabilities.
• Visitors shall not be restricted, limited or otherwise denied on the basis of: sex/gender, race, age, religion, ethnicity, disability, diagnosis, creed, color, national origin, nationality, marital status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military service, ability to pay or source of payment, in sum or substance, any other category protected by state or federal law.

REFERENCE: 

NJHA Visitation Policy Process