RWJ Barnabas Health tightens visitor guidelines amid Covid-19 pandemic

As the amount of case of coronavirus continue to grow in the state of New Jersey, health officials are taking all the precaution necessary to keep everyone safe and healthy.

The RWJ-Barnabas Healthcare system is among those announcing tighter restrictions of access to anyone who would be wishing to meter any of their facilities.

As of Sunday, there will be No Visitors allowed in every and any RWJ-Barnabas Health hospital and healthcare facility including Behavioral Health and Outpatient facilities, until further notice.

RWJBH officials said that there are exceptions which may be made in certain circumstances:

• Pediatric units (only ONE parent/guardian will be permitted)
• Maternity and Labor & Delivery units (only ONE significant other/support person can visit)
• Neonatal Intensive Care Units (TWO parents/support persons can visit)
• Same Day Surgery or Ambulatory Procedures (only ONE person can visit)
• Pediatric psychiatric patients (only ONE if/when a mutual agreement between the care team and the parents/guardian has been reached)

Extenuating circumstances (such as hospice) will also be considered based on the best interest and needs of the individual patient.

Emergency Department patients may be accompanied by ONE adult.

Outpatients may be accompanied by ONE adult (unless an aide or assistant is required).

Approved visitors will be screened for the following and may not be allowed to visit or stay based on:

• Recent international travel history
• Recent domestic travel to areas with widespread COVID-19 infection
• Contact with individuals with known COVID-19
• Cold or flu-like symptoms
• In addition, all visitors should wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before and after visiting.

Individuals 18 years of age and under will not be permitted.

"While we are sensitive to the difficulties facing loved ones of hospitalized patients, our healthcare providers must keep patient and staff safety paramount at this unprecedented time. We encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, Facetime, Skype and other means," RWJBH spokeswoman Rebecca Smith said in a statement.

For the most up-to-date instructions and restrictions for visitation at an RWJBarnabas Health facility, you can visit: www.rwjbh.org.

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