Important Information About Visitation Guidelines

at Community Medical Center

Effective December 16, 2024

The safety and well-being of our patients, visitors and staff is our number one priority. Please be aware of the following guidelines before visiting Community Medical Center.

We ask that you follow our health screening guidelines regarding exposure to contagious respiratory illnesses and flu.

    Inpatient and Critical Care Units:

    • Visiting Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Two visitors are allowed at a time per patient.
    • All visitors must be 12 years of age or older, limited exceptions may be approved by the care team. All visitors 12 – 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

    Maternity (5E & 5F):

    • A designated support person is allowed to stay 24/7.
    • All siblings are allowed to visit during normal visitation hours (see above).
    • Visitors 12 years of age or older person may visit two at a time during normal visitation hours (see above).

    Labor and Delivery (5B):

    • Two labor coaches and a doula are allowed if requested during labor.
    • 24-hour visitation for the designated support person.

    Special Care Nursery:

    • Two visitors at a time.
    • Grandparents and siblings three years of age and above may visit.

    Emergency Department and Observation Unit on 3F:

    • Two visitors per patient at a time.

    Same Day Surgery, Cardiac Catheterization and Endoscopy:

    • On the day of surgery and special procedures, two people can accompany the patient if it is a same-day procedure.
    • Two visitors may visit with the patient before and after the procedure if they are already here as a patient.

    Transitional Care Unit:

    • On the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at CMC visitors, patients and staff are still required to wear a mask while on the unit.
    • May limit to one visitor permitted at a time. Please call 732-557-2270 for the current guidelines.

    Extenuating Circumstances

    Extenuating circumstances to the visitation guidelines and individual requests will always be considered based on the best interest and needs of the individual patient. These extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to:

    • Patients on hospice or at the end of life
    • Patients who are critically unstable
    • Patient's formal caregiver
    • Patients in need of a medical guardian or decision-maker

    Safety Measures and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    Reglas para Visitantes (En español)

    The safety and well-being of our patients, visitors and staff is our number one priority. Please be aware of the following guidelines before visiting one of our hospitals or health care facilities.

    Please help us stop the spread of contagious respiratory illness. Please defer your visit to another day:

    1. If you have a fever or have felt feverish in the last 24 hours or are experiencing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. Possible symptoms include, but are not limited to:
      • Fever or chills
      • Cough
      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      • Fatigue
      • Muscle or body aches
      • Headache
      • New loss of taste or smell
      • Sore throat
      • Congestion or runny nose
      • Nausea or vomiting
      • Diarrhea
    2. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (or another contagious respiratory illness, such as influenza or RSV) within the last 10 days.
    3. If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection (or another contagious respiratory illness) in the last 10 days and cannot wear a mask — even if you are asymptomatic.

    When visiting our facilities, all visitors are expected to adhere to the following safety recommendations:

    • Wear an appropriate face mask. We will offer you a new mask for source control or may ask you to replace your own mask with a hospital-supplied mask.
    • Clean your hands before and after your visit.
    • Maintain physical distance.

    If an individual is permitted to visit a COVID-19-positive patient because of extenuating circumstances or if a patient is on isolation precautions, they will be provided with and must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as recommended by the CDC. Staff will direct the visitor on the appropriate PPE. Face masks with valves will not be permitted as the valves allow unfiltered air to be released. This does not protect others from bacteria spread, per the CDC. If a visitor refuses to wear a mask or other PPE as indicated, that individual will be asked to leave the facility.

    Visiting Outpatient and Medical Group Facilities

    Ubicaciones de Cuidados Ambulatorios y Grupos Médicos (En español)

    When visiting our outpatient or Medical Group facilities:

    • Masking is strongly encouraged for all providers, staff, patients, visitors and vendors at all times in the presence of patients.
    • Masking is REQUIRED for all patients who present with respiratory symptoms, as well as all staff members and providers caring for them.
    • Every patient has the right to request their provider(s) and/or staff wear a mask when treating them.

    Upon checking in, please let a member of our team know if you are experiencing any of the following:

    1. If you have a fever or have felt feverish in the last 24 hours or are experiencing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. Possible symptoms include, but are not limited to:
      • Fever or chills
      • Cough
      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      • Fatigue
      • Muscle or body aches
      • Headache
      • New loss of taste or smell
      • Sore throat
      • Congestion or runny nose
      • Nausea or vomiting
      • Diarrhea
    2. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (or another contagious respiratory illness, such as influenza or RSV) within the last 10 days.
    3. If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection (or another contagious respiratory illness) in the last 10 days even if you are asymptomatic.

    Thank you for your cooperation and your efforts to help keep our patients, staff and communities safe.

    Prior to and During the Visit

    All visitors must perform hand hygiene before visiting a patient.

    Once in the hospital or facility, visitors shall remain in the patient’s room (or Emergency Department bay) as much as possible throughout the visit, except when directed by hospital or facility staff to leave during aerosol-generating procedure or other procedures in which visitors are usually asked to leave.

    If an aerosol-generating procedure needs to be performed on a patient, the visitor must leave the room during the procedure and for one hour after the procedure is complete.

    All visitors must comply with all reasonable requirements imposed by the hospital or facility to minimize the potential spread of infection.

    Gatherings of family members, friends and other acquaintances of the patient in family lounges, waiting areas, the lobby, cafeterias or restaurants on campus is not permitted.

    Keeping You and Your Loved Ones Safe

    RWJBH understands that a hospitalization can be a stressful and uncertain time for many. The visitation policy reflects our commitment to addressing the needs of our patients while prioritizing the safety of all those who enter our facilities.

    Our staff and physicians are here to support you and your loved ones and will take into consideration any requests that are made beyond the parameters of this policy in the best interest of the patient.

    With guidance from the New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and regional and local health departments, we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the health, well-being and safety of our patients, our staff and the communities we serve.

    When not available to visit, we encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, FaceTime, Skype and other means.

    In-Room Virtual Visits

    We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.