New Jersey Hospitals on Code Red Alert Have Suspended Visitation

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 7:40am

Overnight, hospitals across New Jersey have responded to the Code Red level guidelines established by the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) and have suspended most hospital visitations. Information for any additional precautions in place will be found on individual hospitals’ websites. 

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CODE RED VISITOR GUIDANCE

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

• No Visitors
• Exception: One parent / guardian may accompany Pediatric Patient
• Exceptions may also apply to pediatrics, labor and delivery, end of life, and patients with intellectual, developmental or cognitive impairment including dementia, communication barriers or behavioral concerns

END OF LIFE

• Up to two visitors at the same time permitted and visitors may switch throughout the day

ADULT IN-PATIENT

• No Visitors
• Exception: One person, who must be the same person for the duration, may stay with any adult patient in hospital for more than 72 hours
• Exception: One visitor may be at bedside discharge to provide directions and education

COVID-19

• No Visitors
• Exception: Using other criteria listed here, Care Team may allow for one visitor

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OBSTETRICS

• No Visitors
• Exception: One person, who must be the same person for the duration, may stay with the Birth Parent
• An additional doula, who must be the same person for the duration, is permitted

PEDIATRICS

• No Visitors
• Exception: Two parents / guardians may visit at the same time with Pediatric Patient unless they are restricted due to Covid guidelines
• Siblings only permitted for end of life exception

PSYCHIATRY

• No Visitors
• Visitation exceptions may apply to pediatrics, labor and delivery, end of life, and patients with intellectual, developmental or cognitive impairment including dementia, communication barriers or behavioral concerns in which case permission to visit must be approved by care team in advance of visit

 SURGERY

• No Visitors
• Exception: One socially-distanced person may stay with Patient until they are taken into surgery and then after they must leave
• Exceptions may also apply to pediatrics, labor and delivery, end of life, and patients with intellectual, developmental or cognitive impairment including dementia, communication barriers or behavioral concerns

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APPROVED VISITORS

If a Hospital Care Team does approve a Visitor, they must meet the following: 

• Age 18 years or older
  • except in End of Life circumstances
• Required to wear appropriate face covers:
  • Bandanas, gaiters or masks with exhalation valves not permitted
• Must undergo symptom and temperature checks upon entering
• Must perform hand hygiene before visiting a patient
• Must remain in the patient’s room (or emergency department bay) throughout the visit
• Must comply with all hospital requirements to minimize the potential spread of infection

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New Jersey Hospital Association

​"New Jersey’s hospitals recognize the important role that visits have on patients’ well-being, and continue to prioritize the safety of all patients, patient visitors and support persons, and staff.

NJHA and its members have partnered to create this visitation code system to protect everyone inside the hospitals. This guidance balances that influence with the need to reduce the risk of patients and staff being exposed or infected with the coronavirus."

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HOSPITAL REGIONS UNDER CODE RED GUIDANCE

As of Friday, Dec. 11 the following NJ Regions are under Code Red Guidance:

Northeast​

• Bergen
• Essex
• Hudson
• Middlesex
• Morris
• Passaic
• Union

Southeast

• Atlantic
• Cape May
• Monmouth
• Ocean

Southwest

• Burlington
• Camden
• Cumberland
• Gloucester
• Salem

The remaining counties are under Code Yellow Guidance and allow for continued visitations, with limitations:

Northwest

• Hunterdon
• Mercer
• Somerset
• Sussex
• Warren

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Further Reading: 

• New Jersey Covid-19 Updates December, 2020
• New Jersey ​Covid-19 Case Report On Children And Young Adults
• Essex County, NJ, Covid-19 Updates December, 2020
• Essex County, NJ, ​Covid-19 Case Report on Children and Young Adults
• West Essex Municipal Covid-19 Updates
• Seton Hall University Switching to All Remote Starting Today; Men's Basketball Suspended
• NJ Indoor Dining and School Sports Restrictions
• Former NJ Governor Chris Christie Calls For All Public Officials To Advocate For Face Covers And Social Distancing
• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Cases In New Jersey Children And Adolescents​​