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VISITATION GUIDELINES

For the safety of our patients, team members, and the community, visitor limitations will continue at Shore Medical Center (SMC) and its supporting buildings. We will continue to monitor and make adjustments as appropriate. 

• Patients will be allowed one "Visiting Support Person" (VSP) at a time, (the Support Person should be someone close to the patient, a spouse, immediate family member, or caregiver.  If the patient is a minor both parents or guardians are permitted.  
• Exceptions will be made in special circumstances as determined by SMC.
• Visitation is not permitted for patients who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 at this time unless it is an end of life/ critical situation
• All VSP must be 18 years of age or older
• Visitors will not be permitted to use the cafeteria.  Food and drinks can be purchased at the vending area in the lobby of the West patient tower
• VSP must wear masks 
• 6 ft. social distancing must be maintained in any common areas such as waiting rooms, lobbies, vending area, etc.

VSP PROCESS FOR INPATIENTS:

• A Visiting Support Person will be permitted in the hospital between 10:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. weekdays and 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m on weekends
• Visitors will be limited to 2 hours per day 
• On arriving, visitors will be provided masks and instruction on how to wear.  They must also perform hand hygiene.  Sanitizing foam or gel will be available
• If a visitor refuses to wear a mask, they will be unable to visit
• Visitors will undergo symptom and temperature checks at the front desk.  If they fail the screening, they will not be allowed to enter
• Visitors on arrival will need to provide their driver’s license and contact.  Upon completion they will be provided a wrist band for visitation authorization
• If additional PPE is needed, the unit staff will provide and instruct VSP on how to wear appropriate PPE
• If visitor refuses to wear appropriate PPE, they will be unable to visit 
• Inpatient Visitors must remain in the patient’s room as much as possible throughout the visit, except when directed by hospital staff to leave for specific procedures as appropriate 
• Visitors must perform hand hygiene before and after visiting a patient. Sanitizing foam or gel will be available

VSP PROCESS FOR THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT:

• In the Emergency Department (ED) a support person is permitted to remain bedside unless the Patient is suspected of COVID 19 
• Visitation is not permitted for patients who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19
• The VSP for a PUI for COVID will be instructed to leave their contact information and will be called to be updated by clinical staff and instructed when to return to the emergency department
• On arrival to ED, Patient and Support Person will be provided masks and instruction on how to wear.  They must also perform hand hygiene.  Sanitizing foam or gel will be available
• If a visitor refuses to wear a mask, they will be unable to visit
• Visitors will undergo symptom and temperature checks.  If they fail the screening, they will not be allowed to enter
• Visitors will need to provide their driver’s license and contact information.

VSP PROCESS FOR SURGICAL SERVICES AND OUTPATIENT TESTING

• On arriving, visitors will be provided masks and instruction on how to wear.  They must also perform hand hygiene.  Sanitizing foam or gel will be available
• If a visitor refuses to wear a mask, they will be unable to visit
• Visitors will undergo symptom and temperature checks at the front desk.  If they fail the screening, they will not be allowed to enter
• Visitors on arrival will need to provide their driver’s license and contact.  Upon completion they will be provided a wrist band for visitation authorization
• Support person may remain with the patient through registration process 
• Visitors may wait for the patient in the hospital’s designated waiting area, while the patient is having his/her procedure or leave contact information and be called by clinical staff to return when appropriate
• After Surgery, test, or Procedure Support person may rejoin the patient for the discharge process

MCH VISITATION POLICY

• Patients are allowed 1 support person during their stay; there will be no visitor switching.
• Support person will be given a wrist band that matched mom and baby
• Support persons are able to leave the hospital as needed and are able to reenter as needed. 
• All support persons will be screened per guidelines of CDC and must wear a mask when not in the patient room 

SPECIAL CARE NURSERY INPATIENTS

• Hours of Visitation are between 8a-8pm
• 1 banded visitor per patient per day 
• Once the visitor leaves for the day they must wait until the next day to visit again
• Lobby Staff and Security will be given the ID band numbers that match baby to check and verify
• Visitors will be screened and attestation will be signed daily before entering the SCN

We understand that this will be difficult for our patients and their loved ones, but we believe that this is a necessary step to promote the safety of our mothers, newborns, and staff.

These restrictions are continuously being updated and evaluated as the COVID-19 situation evolves amongst our community and are subject to change based on the guidance of the CDC and The New Jersey Department of Health.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Anyone with the following symptoms will not be allowed in the building unless they are seeking treatment for their symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Travel within the last 14 days from high risk states
• **Immediately notify the clinical staff if you develop and symptoms while here. 

Please contact the Office of Patient Experience (609-653-3963) if you have questions or additional needs for extended visitation.  These requests will be reviewed on an individual basis and managed based on what is best for the patient. Phone and video calls to patients are always welcome and encouraged with the patient and families permission. Visitors will not be tested for COVID-19.