Important Information About Visitation Guidelines

at Trinitas Regional Medical Center

Effective April 2, 2025

The safety and well-being of our patients, visitors and staff is our number one priority.

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.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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 PPE as recommended by the CDC. Staff will direct the visitor on the appropriate PPE.

If a visitor refuses to wear a mask or other PPE as indicated, that individual will be asked to leave the facility.

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

Visiting Outpatient and 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.

Visiting Patients

Please be aware of these guidelines before visiting the hospital.

• For patient privacy, a visitor may be asked to leave the patient room during treatments or procedures.
• Children 14 years of age and older are permitted to visit patients in all inpatient units, except where indicated. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Emergency Department: One visitor permitted at bedside.
• Medical-Surgical Visiting Hours: Two visitors at a time permitted - 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Intensive Care Unit: Two visitors at a time permitted - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Labor & Delivery:
  • A Birth Partner may stay with the birthing person throughout the labor and delivery experience. In addition, a trained doula is also permitted throughout the stay.
• Maternity (Post-Partum):
  • A Birth Partner with a hospital provided identification band may stay with the birthing person. In addition, a trained doula is also permitted throughout the stay.
  • Two visitors at a time (in addition to the birth partner) - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Intermediate Care Nursery: Two parents or support person with identification band are permitted.
• Behavioral Health:
  • Child Inpatient Units
    • Daily - Two visitors 18 years of age and older permitted 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Adult inpatient
    • Two visitors 18 years of age and older permitted as follows:
      • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday - 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
      • Wednesday - 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
      • Saturday, Sunday, and Six Major Holidays - 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.; 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Psychiatric Emergency Services
    • One visitor per patient
• Same Day Surgery (SDS): One visitor permitted in pre-op and post–op areas.
• COVID-19 Positive Inpatients: No visitors are permitted unless for circumstances approved by the care team.

Visitation exceptions 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

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

Safety Measures

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.