Visiting Hours & Guidelines

Updated as of August 10, 2023.

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

Inpatient Visiting Guidelines

Visiting Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Visitors MUST enter the building by 8 p.m.  Visitors who are already on site by 8 p.m. may remain at the bedside until 10 p.m.

Adult Inpatients: Two (2) visitors are allowed in EACH ROOM at a time. Visitors must be 18 years of age or older; children are not permitted to visit. All visitors must show Driver’s License with a photo ID. Visitors will be required to obtain a visitor badge.

Immunocompromised Patients: No visitors, balloons, or flowers are allowed. Exceptions include:

• Two (2) parents or guardians of pediatric patients are allowed for the duration of the stay.
• One (1) visitor (must be the same person) is allowed for patients with intellectual, developmental, or other cognitive disabilities for the duration of the stay.
• One (1) visitor (must be the same person) is allowed for patients receiving end-of-life care.

End of Life Patients: Up to four (4) visitors may visit at the same time. Visitors may switch throughout the day.

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, one-time only visit. Subsequent visits must be re-approved. 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. For end of life, two immediate family members may be present at the same time with limited visitation. One (1) designated family member is granted permission to remain with the patient.

Special Considerations for Women and Children’s Areas

Please Note: Mylar balloons (no latex), flowers, and food for immediate consumption are permitted, except in the NICU.

Pediatrics: Two (2) parents or guardians may visit at the same time, unless COVID+ and PUI guidelines apply. One (1) parent may stay overnight. Siblings may be permitted for end of life.

Labor and Delivery (L&D) & Mother/Baby: One (1) support person is allowed with each inpatient. One vaccinated doula (must be the same doula, with proof of booster dose) is permitted for the duration of the patient’s stay. If no doula is present, one additional visitor may be present in L&D.

• The mother will be given the opportunity to have another support person in the event the initial support person is symptomatic for COVID-19.
• COVID+ patients are allowed to have one (1) designated support person for the duration of their stay, and that support person must remain in the room for the duration of the stay.
• Once the patient has delivered and is on Mother/Baby, only the designated support person is permitted to stay for the duration of the postpartum stay. Other visitors may visit during visiting hours only and cannot be present at the same time. Max two (2) persons per room (including the support person).
• Siblings may visit daily between 3 – 6 p.m.
• Valley-employed doulas and non-Valley certified doulas are permitted without restriction. Doulas must show proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination.
• Antepartum patients may have one (1) designated support person for the duration of the stay. Support person must remain in the room and can leave once per 24 hours. Other visitors may visit during visiting hours of 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. only and cannot be present at the same time.
• All outpatients admitted to L&D are permitted to have a support person for the duration of their stay.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Both parents/guardians may visit at the same time. Visitation may cease at any time at the discretion of NICU staff/leadership based on room capacity limits.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit COVID-19 Guidelines:

• COVID+ parents/visitors are not allowed to enter the unit until they are outside their isolation period, per Infection/Prevention Department guidelines.
• Non-COVID+, inpatient parent(s), can visit any time.
• Non-COVID+ parent(s) are allowed to visit and may come together once the parent is no longer a patient.
• No flowers, balloons, or food deliveries are permitted.

Outpatient Visiting Guidelines

Emergency Department

For the safety of our patients and staff, one (1) visitor per patient is allowed. Visitors may rotate, but only one (1) can be on site and at the bedside at a time. The Emergency Department (ED) may cease visitation based on department activity. Exceptions include:

• Patients in our Pediatric ED – Two (2) parents or guardians may visit at the same time for the duration of the stay.
• Patients near end of life - Two (2) immediate family members may visit at the same time for the duration of the stay.

All visitors to the ED will be required to show a photo ID and must be at least 18 years of age.

Surgery/Procedure Patients

Main Campus Procedural Areas (Surgery, Interventional Areas)

One visitor will be permitted at the bedside at the discretion of the care team. Two visitors for a pediatric patient will be permitted at the bedside.

Process:

• Upon arrival, the patient will be directed to the Patient Access Center (PAC) 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 the Patient and Family Representatives.  
• At the time of the procedure, the visitor may remain in the procedural waiting area or leave the building until the patient is ready for discharge.
• Post-procedure, one visitor may be permitted at the bedside. This decision is up to the care team and based on the procedure and the acuity of the procedure and the post-operative unit.   
• If the patient is being admitted, the visitor can join the patient once the patient has been settled in their assigned room. If the patient is in a semi-private room, the visitor will work with the nursing staff to ensure that only one visitor is present in the room at a time.

Main Campus - Endoscopy

• Due to the brevity of these procedures and space constraints, no visitors are permitted to be present at the bedside.

• One visitor for a cognitively disabled patient will be permitted at the bedside. Two visitors for a pediatric patient will be permitted at the bedside.
• At the time of the procedure, the visitor may remain in the procedural waiting area or leave the building until the patient is ready for discharge. 

Luckow Same Day Services and Pain Management

One visitor will be permitted at the bedside during the admission process and until the patient is transported for their procedure. Two visitors for a pediatric patient will be permitted during the admission process.

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.
• At the time of the procedure, 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

• Masks are optional for patients, guests, and staff.

• Masks are required in areas where immunocompromised patients are receiving care.
• One (1) guest is allowed with patients for infusion and radiation oncology.
• Valley Medical Group practices at the Luckow Pavilion will follow updated VMG guidelines. Providers, practice leaders, and staff will determine how many guests may be appropriate in the office.

Diagnostic Imaging and Cardiac Outpatient Testing, All Locations

Patients are allowed one (1) visitor under the following circumstances:

• The patient is cognitively impaired.
• The patient is physically disabled and requires a visitor to help them navigate the facility.
• Both parents/guardians may accompany a pediatric patient.

Process: When a visitor is present, the following restrictions are in place:

• Visitors may not be present during the procedure or in the recovery room.
• Visitors must leave the facility and can return for pickup.

All other off-site locations will follow building-specific guidelines.

Clergy

Must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination card. (Only individuals who are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster if eligible, can come on site.)

• If visiting patients, visits are limited to 15 minutes per patient.
• For end of life, please reach out Patient and Family Relations.

Vendors, Consultants, and Private Aides

Must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination card. (Only individuals who are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster if eligible, can come on site.)

• To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact Patient & Family Relations at 201-447-8169.