Hackensack Meridian Health Suspends In-Person Visitation to Nursing & Rehabilitation Facilities
March 11, 2020
Beginning today, Wednesday, March 11, Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is suspending in-person visitation to its nursing and rehabilitation facilities except in special circumstances, such as end-of-life situations.
“While there are no COVID-19/coronavirus cases at any of our nursing and rehabilitation facilities at this time, this restriction is to help protect the health of our facility residents,” said David W. Varga, M.D., chief physician executive, Hackensack Meridian Health. “It’s important to take proactive measures in order to protect a population who is particularly vulnerable to severe disease and complications from COVID-19.”
Phone and video calls to our patients are always welcome. Families and friends are advised to call their loved one’s facility to receive updates. If a patient is in hospice or in an end-of-life situation, visitation will be allowed. Family members have any questions, they can contact the Administrator or Director of Nursing of the HMH nursing and rehabilitation facility.
“Our team members and vendors entering our nursing and rehabilitation facilities will also undergo screenings and temperature checks as an additional measure to keep our residents safe,” added Dr. Varga.
As this is a new virus, there is still much to be learned about how it spreads, the severity of illness, and other features of the virus. “Our care team is sensitive to the separation this restriction causes our patients and their loved ones, but believe this measure is necessary to protect our patients,” said Dr. Varga.
Earlier this week, Hackensack Meridian Health also announced visitor restrictions at its medical centers. Visiting hours are now restricted to 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitation is limited to two visitors at a time with no visitors under the age of 12 permitted.
Hackensack Meridian Health remains committed to providing the highest level of compassionate, quality care and to keeping the communities it serves safe.