Visiting Hours & Guidelines

If you or a loved one are preparing for an inpatient stay or an outpatient procedure at The Valley Hospital, please review the visitor guidelines below. These guidelines are part of our ongoing efforts to maintain a safe care environment for patients, guests, and staff. 

For the safety and well-being of our patients and staff, please refrain from visiting if you are feeling unwell, experiencing any symptoms of illness, or have been in contact with someone who is sick. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Inpatient Visiting Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to all inpatients in adult and Family Care Pavilion Units at The Valley Hospital.

Visiting Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• All visitors are required to obtain a badge from Security/reception desk upon arrival at the hospital and must show a photo ID (e.g. driver's license).
• Visitors younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult and are counted as a visitor.
• Four (4) visitors are allowed in each room at a time (exclusions may apply for post-surgical patients).
• Visitors who have entered the building and obtained a visitor badge by 8 p.m. may remain at the bedside until 10 p.m.
  • One (1) overnight visitor (age 18 and older) is allowed; overnight visitors are required to obtain a visitor badge.

Special Considerations for Inpatients

Immunocompromised Patients: 
Visitation is limited, and accommodations will be made on an individual basis through the approval of the Patient and Family Relations Department. No balloons or flowers are allowed in these rooms.

End-of-Life Patients: 
Special accommodations will be made for patients in need of end-of-life care.

Patients on Isolation:
Visitation is limited to adults age 18 and older.

COVID-19 Patients and Exposed Patients: 
Special consideration for COVID-19 patients will need approval by Patient and Family Relations. COVID-19-approved visitation will consist of a maximum of two (2) visitors for one (1) hour duration, each day. Visitor must wear full COVID-19 PPE, including a mask, and be instructed on hand hygiene and PPE donning and doffing by primary RN caring for the patient.

Special Considerations for Family Care Pavilion Areas

Pediatrics: 
Only one (1) parent/guardian may stay overnight. Siblings (age 12 and older) may visit for up to one hour during regular visiting hours and must be accompanied by an adult. All other visitors must be age 18 or older. 

Labor and Delivery:
Two (2) visitors are allowed for inpatients on the Labor & Delivery Unit – one designated support person plus one additional visitor. These visitors may not switch roles during the patient’s labor and delivery. One (1) visitor is allowed within the Labor & Delivery triage and PACU areas.

Postpartum:
A designated support person is allowed to stay for the duration of the patient’s postpartum stay. Four (4) additional visitors, not including the support person, are allowed with the patient at one time. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Siblings of the newborn who are under the age of 18 may visit daily during visiting hours and are not counted as a visitor. Minors are not allowed to visit in rooms requiring isolation.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: 
Two (2) visitors, in addition to both parents/guardians, are allowed per day but should not exceed three (3) total people in the room at a time. All visitors must be over the age of 18. A parent/guardian must be present while other visitors are in the room. The unit is closed to visitors from 1 - 2 p.m. daily. Balloons, flowers, and food are not allowed in the NICU.

Emergency Department

Only two (2) visitors per patient are allowed at the bedside at a time. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and are counted as a visitor. The Emergency Department may cease visitation based on department activity. 

Outpatient Visiting Guidelines

The Valley Hospital: Surgery and Interventional Procedures

One (1) visitor is allowed at the bedside at the discretion of the care team. Two (2) visitors for a pediatric patient are allowed at the bedside. All visitors must be age 18 or older.

• Upon arrival, the patient/visitor must check in at the reception desk to receive a security pass. They will then be directed to the Patient Access Center for check-in/registration. The visitor will remain in the designated waiting area.
• The patient will be directed to the procedure area. Contact information for the visitor will be obtained and communicated by Patient and Family Relations representatives.
• During the procedure, the visitor may remain in the procedural waiting area or leave the building until the patient is ready for discharge.
• For most surgical cases, one (1) visitor is allowed at the bedside in the post-operative unit. This may depend on the type/acuity of the procedure; your care team will inform you if visitation is allowed.

Valley Health System – Ridgewood Campus: Endoscopy

Due to the brevity of these procedures and space constraints, no visitors are allowed at the bedside during the admission process unless deemed necessary by the clinical staff. Exceptions include:

• One (1) visitor for a cognitively disabled patient
• Two (2) visitors for a pediatric patient 

The visitor may remain in the procedural family waiting area or leave the building until the patient is ready for discharge. The endoscopy team will call the visitor to alert them when the patient will be ready for discharge. 

Luckow Pavilion: Same Day Services and Pain Management

One (1) visitor is allowed at the bedside during the admission process and until the patient is transported for their procedure. Two (2) visitors for a pediatric patient are allowed during the admission process.

• The patient will be directed to the third-floor Patient Access Center for check-in/registration. The visitor will remain in the designated waiting area.
• The admitting RN will secure the contact information of the visitor/responsible ride home.
• The visitor may remain in the procedural waiting room or leave the building until the patient is ready for discharge.
• At the time of discharge, the patient will be brought to the lobby entrance of the building to meet their family member.
• For Pain Management, due to the brevity of the procedure, the visitor will remain at the bedside until discharge.
  

Luckow Pavilion: Radiation Oncology, Infusion, & Other Services

Two (2) guests are allowed with patients for infusion and radiation oncology. Masks are required in areas where immunocompromised patients are receiving care. 

Diagnostic Imaging, All Locations

One (1) visitor is allowed. Both parents/guardians may accompany a pediatric patient.

Visitors may not be present during the procedure/exam; they may wait in the designated waiting area. Exceptions may be made for one (1) visitor to accompany the patient under the following circumstances:

• The patient is cognitively impaired.
• The patient is pediatric.
• The patient is physically disabled and requires a visitor to assist them.
• Other special circumstances.   

Masking Guidelines

• Masking is optional for staff, patients, and guests at Valley. This includes patient care areas. Exceptions include:
  • Masking is still required of staff and guests when caring for, or visiting, patients who are experiencing respiratory symptoms or patients who are immunocompromised.
  • Masks are also required based on additional isolation precautions (i.e. droplet precautions, airborne precautions, etc.).
• Masking requirements are subject to change, based on current transmission levels and local and state guidance.
• If you are not feeling well or have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days, please refrain from visiting.
• Guests do not need to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Updated as of October 1, 2025