Visitation Policy

During the current COVID-19 national Public Health Emergency, our staff is focused on keeping our patients, visitors, and everyone safe. Our standard procedures follow all CDC and New Jersey Department of Health guidelines to prevent the virus from affecting our patients and staff. Out of an abundance of caution we restricted visitors in the beginning of the public health emergency, but we now allow limited visits for safety.

We know how important it is for you to visit with your family and people who support your recovery while you are in the hospital and after your discharge.  

In Person Visitor Guidelines (for Patients not under COVID/Droplet Precautions or with symptoms)

Visitor hours are limited from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday – Friday;
noon – 8:00 PM Saturday & Sunday
ONE visitor per patient is allowed per day in the patient’s room or outside.

YOU MUST PICK UP A VISITOR PASS UPON ENTERING FROM THE HOSPITAL OPERATOR AND YOU MUST RETURN THE PASS UPON YOUR DEPARTURE

** Patients with symptoms or COVID+ are restricted from having visitors until medically cleared **

1. Visitors may not visit within 10 days of testing positive for COVID. (Visitors must wear a mask at all times.)
   1. Masks with exhalation valves, bandanas and neck gators are prohibited.
   2. Visitors must participate in a wellness screening including a temperature check upon entering our building, and will not be permitted to enter if symptomatic or COVID +.
2. Visitors must wash their hands or sanitize when they enter the building and before visiting the patient.
3. Visitors must remain in the patient’s room or designated areas.
   1. If the patient has a roommate (i.e. semi-private room), the visit will take place in the A Wing Day Room or BIU Day Room if the roommate is present in the room.
   2. If the second roommate then has a visitor, their visit can occur in the patient room. (visitations must occur in a location separate from their roommate)
   3. The visitor must wait in the patient’s room if the patient has therapy at that time.
4. Visitors should consult with their personal physician after a known COVID exposure regarding post exposure testing.
5. Only visitors 18 years of age and older will be granted access.
6. At this time our hospital cafeteria is not open to visitors.
7. Weather permitting, patients may visit with two visitors on the front patio.  **Masking, social distancing and minimum age requirements are still applicable**.
8. Family/support person who participates in family training is the patient’s visitor for that day (i.e. that person can return that day to visit from 3 PM to 8 PM).

A visitor who fails to comply with this policy will be asked to leave the building.

Special Considerations: At this time:

1. Although virtual physician appointments and healthcare transportation for outside appointments are
   recommended at this time when possible, a patient
      • Brought to the hospital in a private car at admission or during his/her admission, OR
      • Who has an external physician appointment (including dialysis appointments),
   
   -will not be required to quarantine unless immunocompromised.
   1. Both the patient and family member are advised to wear masks during transport and all close contact.
   2. Upon admission or return from an outside appointment, the patient will have a 3-part post-exposure antigen test beginning that day, and three days and five days after transport.
   3. Bacharach will monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms for 10 days after appointments or family transport.
   4. Patient should wear well-fitting facemasks when within 6 feet of other people for 10 days.
   5. The patient may receive therapy in the therapy gym if wearing a mask. 
   6. ONE visitor per day can visit the patient only in their room; the visitor will also be required to wear a mask.  This is for the safety of the patient, and all patients, visitors, and employees.
2. We continue to evaluate community transmission rates and adjust our policy accordingly for safety.

REMOTE VISITATION

1. If you have a cell phone, feel free to call or FaceTime or connect with your family and friends on your own. 
2. If you need assistance, please ask your Nursing Assistant or Nurse. We have devices we can share, if you don’t have a cell phone or the technology to see them though a video chat.
3. Your therapists will provide treatment in your room or follow safe procedures to treat you in the therapy gym. They can use the video chat technology to connect with your family and friends for family training in the techniques to help you.
4. During your stay, if you do not have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, you can schedule a “window visit”.
   1. Coordinate a day and time between Monday through Friday 10 AM to 4:30 PM when you are not in therapy with your family or friends.
   2. Call the Director of Occupational Therapy at 609-748-5425 to schedule the window visit and confirm the appointment. 
   3. On that day and time, your family or friends can come to the Bacharach entrance, and follow the path on the left side of the entrance to the patio.  
   4. Your family or friends will be outside, and you will be inside the window with a staff member, both wearing masks. You and your family or friends can see each other through the window and can talk on the phone. 
   5. To consider patient treatment in the gym, your “window visit” may be limited to 15 minutes, but we’ll do all we can to help your visit.
   6. Window visits can be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 4:30 PM by contacting the Nursing Supervisor at 609-652-7000 ext. 5331.

We appreciate your understanding.

Revised/approved: 08/10/2021, 09/29/21, 10/12/21, 2/17/22, 2/22/22, 3/4/2022, 5/4/22, 8/1/2022, 8/26/22, 10/19/22, 1/12/2023