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VISITATION GUIDELINES DUE TO COVID-19

Following the guidance of the State of New Jersey’s Department of Health and our medical staff, we will be allowing visitors to Shore Medical Center on a limited basis beginning February 22, 2021. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this very challenging time. 

One visitor at a time per patient will be permitted, with a maximum stay of 2 hours per visitor. Starting Monday, visiting hours will be as follows:

• 10a-4pm, Monday through Friday
• 10a-2pm, Saturday and Sunday

We can permit one visitor waiting in the lobby per patient but reserve the right to restrict further should we not be able to abide by 6 feet social distancing guidelines.  Visitor allowance may vary slightly depending on the patient’s condition/reason for being cared for at Shore. See below for complete details.  If you have any questions, please call 609.653.3500.

We ask that you continue to park in our garage and enter the front of the hospital across Medical Center Way. Upon entering the hospital, you will present your ID and undergo a symptom and temperature check. All visitors must be 18 years of age or greater, with rare exceptions. You will receive specific guidelines for visitation from the front desk staff. There is a maximum of two people permitted inside any elevator at the same time.

All visitors must comply with the requirements to minimize spread of infection, including practicing 6-feet social distancing and wearing a surgical mask while inside the hospital as recommended by the CDC. (no bandanna, gaiters, or masks with exhalation valves as a mask). A surgical mask will be provided to visitors if necessary. If a visitor refuses to wear a mask or other PPE as indicated, they will be asked to leave the hospital.

In addition, 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 by hospital staff to leave during an aerosol-generating procedure or other procedures in which visitors are usually asked to leave. Visitors may not be present during procedures or in the recovery room, except for pediatrics, childbirth, and patients with an intellectual, developmental, or other cognitive disability.

Visiting Guidelines

Any patient or support person entering Shore Medical Center will be asked and instructed to do the following before being permitted to proceed into the hospital

• Each individual will undergo temperature check
• Instructed to perform hand hygiene
• If needed a surgical mask will be provided and instruction will be given on how to properly mask – mask must cover nose and mouth and be looped around ears.  No bandannas, gaiters or exhalation masks will be permitted to be worn in the hospital.

Under the Current Guidlines           

• COVID or PUI patients will not be permitted visiting support person except if end of life, patients in labor or patients with an intellectual disability, developmental or other cognitive disability.  Must be same person for duration of stay, except for end of life.  All exceptions must be approved by leadership or patient experience.
• Pediatrics – two parents or guardians may visit at same time unless the COVID+ and PUI guideline applies
• Adult Inpatient – One visitor at a time with a 2 hour maximum visit. Visitors may change out but cannot overlap. Only one visiting support person may wait in lobby 
• Emergency Department- One visitor and must be same person for duration
• Obstetrics/L&D- one support person allowed during admission, this support person will have a matching band and is not to be switched to another person.  One doula must be the same doula for the duration of birth parent’s stay (certification is to be current).  If the admitted patient is Covid + the support person must remain in the room of the patient at all times. Once they leave they are not permitted back.  Food will be provided in that instance.  
• Special Care Nursery- One banded person at a time during the newborns admission, visiting hours 8a-8p
• Surgery/Procedure Patients- Scheduling staff will inform patient that they may have a support person drop them off for their procedure and leave.  The support person will receive a phone call when patient is ready to be picked up. 
• End of Life- up to two visitors at the bedside at the same time.  Visitors may switch out throughout the day
• Immunocompromised Patients- No visitors except end of life, patients in labor or patients with an intellectual disability, developmental or other cognitive disability.
• Any support person waiting in lobby will be asked to observe the 6 ft. social distancing rule and keep mask on at all times
• This above process will include all vendors entering the hospital facility