Visiting Hours and Policies

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Englewood Health embraces patient- and family-centered care. We recognize the patient's right to have support persons and guests of their choosing present during the course of the hospitalization—unless that presence interferes with others' rights, safety, or clinical care. The below visitation guidelines are to be followed to ensure maximum patient safety and satisfaction.

A support person or guest may be anyone designated by the patient, including, but not limited to a, spouse, a domestic partner, another family member, or a friend. Patients may limit visiting hours and select who is allowed to visit.

General Inpatient Visitation

General Visiting Hours

  •  General inpatient visiting hours are 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. See Departmental Guidelines below for unit-specific information.
  • To promote rest and healing, quiet hours are 8:00 pm to 8:00 am, and guests are encouraged to leave at this time. Those who remain should speak quietly and lower the volume on all electronic devices.

Guest Passes & Room Access

  • Each patient may have up to two (2) guest passes in use at one time.
    • If more than two guests are present at the same time, additional guests are asked to wait in one of the publicly accessible areas on campus. These include the Main Lobby and the cafeteria.
  • All guests must obtain a pass at the Information Desk and wear it visibly at all times while on campus.
  • Minors: Up to two guests under the age of 18 may visit and do not count toward the maximum number of guests allowed, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times and not left unsupervised. See Departmental Guidelines below for unit-specific restrictions.
  • Overnight stays (“rooming in”) are generally discouraged, except in end-of-life situations and Mother/Baby and Pediatrics as outlined in the Departmental Guidelines.

Infection Prevention

  • All guests must sanitize their hands when entering and exiting patient rooms using alcohol-based rub or soap and water, and follow any additional infection control measures indicated.
  • Guests who are ill or recently exposed to contagious illnesses should not visit.
  • All guidelines are subject to change based on NJDOH and CDC recommendations, especially during times of an actual or suspected outbreak of an infectious disease that threatens the health and safety of patients, guests, staff, and/or the community. Any changes will be posted on the Englewood Health website.

Guest Conduct & Safety Restrictions

  • Guests may not:
    • Use patient bathrooms, beds, supplies, or equipment.
    • Bring or use tobacco products, alcohol, or illicit drugs.
    • Provide prescription or over-the-counter medications to patients.
  • For everyone’s safety, Englewood Health reserves the right to inspect all bags and packages brought into the hospital.
  • If a guest causes a safety concern or disrupts rest or care for the patient or their roommate, staff may ask the guest to leave the room or wait in a lounge and may call Security if necessary.
  • Security may make rounds after quiet hours or at the discretion of staff.
  • If staff have concerns about rest, recovery, or the number of guests, they should consult with the attending physician and/or the patient.

Exceptions and Further Restrictions

Exceptions to these guidelines will be considered upon request, while respecting the safety and needs of all patients. Exceptions to the guidelines may be initiated by the registered nurse who is charged with the care of the patient, with approval from the Nurse Manager, Senior Director of Nursing, and/or Administrative Nursing Supervisor.

In certain situations, stricter limitations on visitation may be implemented at the discretion of the care team. These decisions will be made in the best interest of the patient and their care environment.

Departmental Guidelines

Emergency Department

  • Two guests are permitted 24/7 while the patient is in the Emergency Department. Guest passes are available at the Emergency Department welcome desk.
  • If a patient is admitted from the ED outside of visiting hours, one visitor may escort the patient to the inpatient unit to get settled.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

  • Patients can designate one person to receive notification when they are out of surgery and if they are available to receive visitors. In some cases, guests will be permitted to visit only after the patient is transferred to the postsurgical unit.
  • Guests shall enter the PACU with a volunteer or staff escort.

Intensive Care (ICU)

  • Children under 18 are not permitted.
  • Flowers, balloons, food, and beverages are not permitted in the ICU.
  • Guests will be directed to the ICU Family Lounge as needed when treatment is being provided to the patient.
  • It is recommended that the patient or designated family representative identify one family member with whom information is to be shared, and that person may call for updates 24/7.

Labor & Delivery (L&D)

  • Up to two designated support persons (including a doula or grandparent) are permitted with a laboring or delivered patient.
  • In addition to the support person(s), the baby’s sibling(s) may visit. Children 18 years old or younger must have an adult, other than a labor coach, to supervise them at all times. Children must remain in their parent’s room or waiting area at all times. No other children are permitted.
  • Parents who wish to have their other children present during the delivery must arrange this in advance with their obstetrician and the Nurse Manager of L&D, Senior Director of Nursing, and/or Administrative Nursing Supervisor. Parents assume the responsibility of preparing the child for the birthing experience.
  • In the case of a Cesarean section, only one support person age 18+ may attend the surgery and only at the discretion of the physician. The number of guests in the L&D PACU may be limited based on patient condition and unit activity.

Mother/Baby

  • One support person has unrestricted visiting hours and may stay overnight.
  • In addition to the support person, three (3) guest passes (including for a doula) are available.
  • Siblings may visit, and do not count toward the guest pass maximum. Children younger than 18 years old must have another adult, other than the mother, to supervise them at all times.
  • Children other than siblings are permitted to visit, but count toward the number of maximum guests.
  • Infection control is strictly enforced. All guests must wash their hands thoroughly before touching the infant and must be free of illness of symptoms of illness.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

  • Parents can be present 24/7 except during shift change (6:30am-7:30am and 6:30pm-7:30pm).
  • A parent must accompany any guest, and guests are to remain at the infant’s bedside.
  • Siblings of the infant in the NICU may visit with the approval of the Nurse Manager Mother/Baby or designee.
  • Infection control is strictly enforced. All guests must wash their hands thoroughly for one minute before touching the infant and must be free of illness of symptoms of illness.

Pediatrics

  • Parents can be present 24/7. However, overnight accommodations (cot/reclining chair) are available for only one (1) parent. For safety reasons, parents should not sleep in the child’s bed nor allow the child to sleep with them in the cot or recliner.
  • Siblings under 18 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

Behavioral Health Unit

  • Visiting hours are 11:30 am to 7:30 pm. Hours may be expanded or reduced based on the recommendations of the provider.
  • Children under 18 are not permitted to visit.
  • For safety reasons, all items and packages brought in must first be checked by a staff member.

Outpatient Areas

  • Two (2) support persons or guests are permitted, at least one of whom is 18 or older.

Last updated May 9, 2025