TOMS RIVER, NJ – If you are visiting a relative or friend at Toms River’s Community Medical Center, you’re going to have to mask up. That’s because the hospital announced starting this week, COVID-19 masking policies are back.
Effective January 15, 2024, Community Medical Center has updated its visitation guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, visitors, and staff. The center emphasizes the importance of these guidelines in maintaining a secure and healthy environment.
Under the new policy, all visitors are required to wear masks at all times when in the presence of patients. This measure is part of the center’s commitment to preventing the spread of contagious respiratory illnesses and the flu. For those without masks, the hospital will provide them upon arrival. However, cloth masks or masks with exhalation valves are not permitted.
In the Inpatient and Critical Care Units, visiting hours are set from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each patient is allowed two visitors at a time. Visitors must be at least 12 years old, with limited exceptions potentially approved by the care team.
For Maternity wards 5E & 5F, a designated support person is allowed to stay with the patient 24/7. Additionally, siblings and visitors 12 years or older are permitted during normal visitation hours, with a limit of two visitors at a time.
In the Labor and Delivery section (5B), two labor coaches and a doula are allowed during labor. The designated support person is granted 24-hour visitation rights.
The Special Care Nursery allows two visitors at a time, with grandparents and siblings aged three years and above permitted to visit.
In the Emergency Department and the Observation Unit on 3F, the policy permits two visitors per patient at a time.
For Same Day Surgery, Cardiac Catheterization, and Endoscopy, two individuals can accompany the patient on the day of surgery or special procedures. Additionally, two visitors are allowed before and after the procedure if the patient is already admitted.
The Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at CMC requires visitors, patients, and staff to wear masks at all times. The number of visitors might be limited to one at a time, and the public is advised to call 732-557-2270 for current guidelines.
The hospital also emphasizes that extenuating circumstances to the visitation guidelines will be considered based on the individual patient’s best interest and needs. This includes patients on hospice or at the end of life, patients who are critically unstable, patients needing a medical guardian or decision-maker, and others.
Community Medical Center has a zero-tolerance policy for disrespectful behavior. Visitors not abiding by the guidelines, including mask-wearing, may be asked to leave the facility. Masks with valves are not permitted as they allow unfiltered air release, which does not protect others from bacteria spread, per CDC guidelines.
With these measures, Community Medical Center aims to provide a safe and respectful environment for all individuals within its facilities.