Hackensack University Medical Center's Coronavirus Restrictions

UPDATE: Hackensack Meridian is restricting visitation at its hospitals in New Jersey, officials announced on Thursday.

"Please know, the health and safety of our patients, their families, and team members remains a top priority for HMH," the system says.

Visitation exceptions will be made in certain situations, including

• Hospice
• Pediatric care
• Ambulatory Care/Same day surgery (one visitor)
• Maternity/Labor and delivery (one visitor)

Once a visitor is approved, they will undergo a temperature screening, official said. They will also need to provide their contact information in the event that tracing becomes necessary.

Phone and video calls to patients are welcome and encouraged.

As a precautionary measure and to keep patients and team members safe, HMH is also asking its team members to self-monitor their temperature before they report to work.

“We are taking these proactive precautions to protect our patients, team members, and the communities we serve,” said Jerry Zuckerman, M.D., vice president, Infection Prevention and Control at Hackensack Meridian Health. “Our care team is sensitive to the separation this restriction causes our patients and their loved ones, but we believe this measure of protection is essential at this time to keep people safe.”

These visitor restrictions will be re-evaluated in 30 days.

HACKENSACK — As the coronavirus begins to spread across New Jersey, the Hackensack Meridian Health System has announced new restrictions on visitors, staff and vendors coming to its hospitals, including Hackensack University Medical Center.

Anyone coming to the hospital will face screenings and those who fail the screening will not be allowed into the hospital to protect patients and the staff, a notice on the company's website said.

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Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

The following restrictions are in place at all Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals, nursing and rehabilitation facilities, the notice said.

• All visitors, team members and vendors entering this facility will undergo a COVID-19 screening. Anyone who fails the screening will not be allowed entry.
• Visitation to patients is limited to two visitors at one time.
• Visitors under the age of 12 will not be allowed entry.

"Hackensack Meridian Health is engaged in emergency management practices and is prepared to manage confirmed cases of COVID-19," the notice said.

"We are screening patients in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and our dedicated health care providers are taking every precaution in isolating any patient who has tested positive for the disease," the notice said. "We are working with the New Jersey Department of Health in accordance with CDC protocols regarding the use of dedicated equipment and appropriate personal protective equipment, and we are limiting visitor contact for those patients who have tested positive.

There were 23 cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey as of Wednesday. One man, from Bergen County, has died. Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency on Monday evening to free up resources to deal with the spread of the illness. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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