NEW JERSEY – Atlantic Health System has announced updated visitor restrictions that went into effect on Monday, May 17.
“As we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of patients, visitors, support persons and health care professionals, Atlantic Health System has implemented the following requirements for all hospital visitors or support persons. This includes Chilton, Hackettstown, Newton, Overlook and Morristown medical centers, as well as Goryeb Children’s Hospital. No visitors are permitted for confirmed COVID-19 patients or persons under investigation for COVID-19, except in cases approved by the care team,” according to Atlantic Heath System’s website.
“All restrictions are subject to change based upon guidance from our care teams, the New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Hospital Association,” according to Atlantic Health System.
Visiting hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., but may vary by location or department. All visitors must be 18 years of age or older except in rare exception as determined by the facility. Virtual visitation may also be available, ask our care team for assistance.
General Guidelines for Visitors and Support Persons:
- All visitors/support persons will be screened to determine if they have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days, have a pending COVID-19 test or have someone within their household who tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
- Hospital visitors/support persons will be required to complete temperature and symptom screening upon entering the facility. If the individual does not pass any element of the screening, they will not be permitted to visit. If they pass, they will be limited to visit non-COVID patients/units only.
- All visitors/support persons must be 18 years of age or older except for the rare exception as determined by the facility.
- All visitors/support persons will be required to wear a face mask and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at all times. They may wear their own cloth mask, or a mask will be provided upon entry. Bandanas, gaiters and vented masks are not permitted. Those wearing vented masks will be provided a surgical mask to wear over it. Visitors will be provided instructions on how to wear masks and appropriate PPE. Anyone refusing to wear a mask or other PPE as indicated will be asked to leave the facility.
- Visitors/support persons are asked to remain in the patient’s room or emergency department bay unless otherwise directed by an Atlantic Health System team member. Visitors may use designated eating locations within the medical center and other amenities available to patients or visitors.
If social distancing can be maintained, visitors or support persons will be permitted with the following:
Adult Inpatients:
- Two visitors are permitted per day if social distancing allows. The individuals must be the same people within a 24-hour period.
- Visitors are not permitted with confirmed COVID-19 patients or persons under investigation for COVID-19, except in cases approved by the physician or care team.
- For patients in end-of-life care: there is no limit on number of visitors permitted, as long as the physician or care team approves and deems it is safe and feasible to meet social distancing guidelines.
Behavioral Health Patients:
- Permission may be requested for one visitor during the patient’s stay. Visiting hours are between 6:00 and 8:00pm.
- Approval for this visitor must be given in advance of the visit by the physician or care team.
Emergency Department Patients:
- One support person will be allowed to accompany an adult patient for an emergency department visit. A second support person is allowed if approved by the emergency department. The support people must remain the same for the duration of the visit. Support people may be asked to leave depending on the amount of activity in the emergency department.
- In cases where the patient is cognitively impaired, two support people are permitted. The support people must remain the same for the duration of the visit.
- Two parents or guardians of a pediatric patient will be allowed. The support people must remain the same for the duration of the visit.
- Parents who are COVID-19 positive must be asymptomatic to remain with their child. The parent should always wear two hospital issued surgical masks and remain in the patient’s room.
Immunosuppressed Patients:
- No visitors are permitted, except in the cases below:
- One parent or one guardian of pediatric patients is permitted for the duration of the child’s stay.
- One visitor, who must be the same person, is permitted for patients receiving end-of-life care.
- Additional exceptions may apply to pediatrics, labor and delivery, end of life, and patients with intellectual, developmental or cognitive impairment including dementia, communication barriers or behavioral concerns. These require approval by the physician or care team.
Maternity Care Patients:
- Up to two support persons will be allowed if social distancing can be accomplished. These do not need to be the same people for the duration of the mother’s stay.
- One certified doula will be allowed, which must be the same doula for the duration of the mother’s stay.
Surgery or Procedure Patients:
- If social distancing of six feet can be accomplished, one support person may accompany a patient until the patient is taken to prepare for their procedure. The support person may wait in the waiting room if social distancing can be accomplished. Otherwise, the person must leave the facility for the duration of the procedure.
- The support person should provide a contact phone number so that the care team can regularly communicate the status of the patient and contact them with ample time to return for pickup.
- If social distancing can be achieved, the same support person may join the patient in recovery and be present to review discharge instructions.
Pediatric Patients:
- Two parents or guardians may be with the child during visiting hours.
- One parent or guardian may remain with the child overnight and throughout the duration of the inpatient hospital stay.
- The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) permits two visitors during visiting hours. Those visitors will receive special wristbands and must be the same people throughout the patient’s stay.
- Siblings may be permitted for end-of-life care with approval by the care team.
Support Person During Hospital Discharge:
- To support our patients and their caregivers, a support person may be present to review discharge instructions and education as long as social distancing can be achieved.
“Exceptions may be made for patients receiving compassionate end-of-life care, pediatric patients, and caregivers for patients with special needs, which may include intellectual, developmental or cognitive impairment including dementia, communication barriers or behavioral concerns. Patients will be asked to provide contact information for a family member or support person who will receive updates on their care,” according to Atlantic Health System.
For additional instructions for visitors and support persons, click here.
