Important Information About Visitation Guidelines

at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway

Effective April 2, 2025

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

• Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Inpatient acute care units: No more than two visitors per inpatient.

• Emergency Department: One visitor at the bedside.

• Pediatric units: Two parents or guardians at the bedside.
• Surgery: One visitor allowed for surgery and procedure patients until the patient is taken to the pre-op area. One visitor allowed when patient is in recovery and preparing for discharge.

• End-of-life: Two visitors may visit at the same time.

• COVID-19-positive patients: No visitors are permitted except for circumstances approved by the care team.

• All visitors 14 years of age and under: Will not be permitted.

We encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, Facetime, Skype and other means.

Extenuating circumstances to the temporary 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
• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures
• Patients in need of a medical guardian or decision-maker
• At the discretion of the hospital, one visitor may be able to accompany a patient in Ambulatory Care or other outpatient areas

Safety Measures and Personal Protective Equipment

Visitation Guidelines

In response to the stabilization of key respiratory viral benchmarks across RWJBarnabas Health and the region, effective Wednesday, April 2, masking will be optional at all RWJBarnabas Health locations for staff, providers, patients, visitors, volunteers and vendors.

Please note:

• Masking may still be required for certain patients on standard infection prevention protocols, and/or on units responsible for the care of vulnerable patients at the determination of each site.
• Masks will continue to be available to staff, providers, patients, visitors, volunteers and vendors in our facilities.
• Masking will be requested of all patients who present with respiratory symptoms, if tolerated, as well as all staff members and providers caring for them.
• Should a patient request their caregiver wear a mask, staff and providers are expected to comply.

While we expect the trajectory of respiratory viral activity will continue to move in this positive direction, we will remain vigilant in monitoring benchmarks and may adjust policies accordingly to ensure the safety of our workforce and communities. This could potentially include requiring masks again should we see increases in contagious respiratory viruses and/or communicable diseases moving forward.

As always, we encourage you and our communities to take steps to reduce the spread of contagious illnesses by remaining up-to-date with appropriate vaccinations and boosters; choosing to wear a mask if you aren’t feeling well and/or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, influenza and/or another contagious illness; and observing isolation guidelines when appropriate.

Visiting Outpatient and Medical Group Facilities

• Masking is optional in all RWJBarnabas Health facilities for patients, visitors, staff, volunteers and physicians.
• 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.

In-Room Virtual Visits

We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.