Visiting Hours & Guidelines

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. 

For the safety and well-being of our patients and staff, we kindly ask that if you are feeling unwell, experiencing any symptoms of illness, or have been in contact with someone who is sick, to refrain from visiting the hospital. Your cooperation in this matter helps us maintain a healthy environment for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Inpatient Visiting Guidelines

Visiting Hours: 8 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. 
• 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). 

Adult Inpatients: 
Four (4) visitors are allowed in EACH ROOM at a time (some exclusions apply for post-surgical patients). Minors under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult and will be counted as a visitor. Minors, however, are not permitted to visit in rooms requiring isolation. Additionally, one (1) adult visitor (18 y/o and older) will be allowed to stay overnight. Overnight stays will be allowed with approval by the Patient and Family Relations Department. Visitors will be required to obtain a visitor badge.

Immunocompromised Patients: 
Visitation will be limited for this population, 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.

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.

Note: Visitation is limited to 18 years old and above for patients requiring isolation for any reason. 

Special Considerations for Family Care Pavilion Areas

Visiting Hours:  8 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

• Visitors MUST enter the building by 8 p.m. 

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

Pediatrics: 
Both parents/guardians may visit at the same time. Two additional visitors are permitted per day but should not exceed four (4) visitors at a time during normal visiting hours. One (1) parent/guardian may stay overnight. We welcome siblings to visit for a maximum of one hour during regular visiting hours. Siblings must be at least 12 years of age and accompanied by an adult, so as not to distract from patient care. 

Labor and Delivery:
Two (2) support persons are permitted for inpatients on the Labor & Delivery Unit (one designated support person plus one additional visitor). One (1) visitor is allowed within the Labor & Delivery triage and PACU areas.

Postpartum:
Patients on the Postpartum unit are allowed a designated support person, who is permitted to stay for the duration of the postpartum stay. Four (4) additional visitors, not including the support person, are allowed with the patient at one time. Siblings of the newborn who are under the age of 18 may visit daily during visiting hours. All other visitors on the Postpartum unit must be age 18 or older.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: 
Both parents/guardians may visit at the same time. Two (2) additional visitors are permitted per day but should not exceed four (4) visitors at a time during normal visiting hours. Parents/guardians must be present while other visitors are in the room. NICU parents/guardians can visit at any time. Accommodations for siblings will be made on a case-by-case basis on Sundays, with a parent/guardian during normal visiting hours. Siblings are not permitted to visit from October through March.

Outpatient Visiting Guidelines

Emergency Department

For the safety of our patients and staff, two (2) visitors per patient are allowed. Visitors may rotate, but only two (2) can be on site and at the bedside at a time. Minors under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult and will be counted as a visitor. The Emergency Department may cease visitation based on department activity. 

Surgery/Procedure Patients

Main Campus Procedural Areas (Surgery, Interventional Areas)

One (1) visitor will be permitted at the bedside at the discretion of the care team. Two (2) visitors for a pediatric patient will be permitted at the bedside.

Process:

• 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. 
• 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.
• For most surgical cases, one visitor may be permitted at the bedside post-procedure. The timing and decision are up to the care team and based on the procedure and the acuity of the procedure and the post-operative unit.

Valley Health System – Ridgewood Campus: Endoscopy

• Due to the brevity of these procedures and space constraints, no visitors are permitted at the bedside during the admission process unless deemed necessary by the clinical staff. Visitors may escort patients to the admission area but will be directed to wait in the procedural family waiting area on the first floor.
• One (1) visitor for a cognitively disabled patient will be permitted at the bedside. Two (2) visitors for a pediatric patient will be permitted at the bedside.
• At the time of the procedure, 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 will be permitted at the bedside during the admission process and until the patient is transported for their procedure. Two (2) 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.
• Two (2) guests are 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, All Locations

Patients are allowed one (1) visitor. 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/exam. 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.   
• Visitors may wait in the waiting area during the procedure/exam.

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.

Updated as of July 15, 2024.