Visitors
NEW VISITORS POLICY DURING FLU SEASON 2009-2010
Due to an increase of H1N1 cases in the community, Hunterdon Medical Center is now screening visitors entering the hospital for H1N1 symptoms and implemented temporary visitation restrictions to protect the health of hospitalized patients, staff and volunteers. These restrictions will be in place for the duration of the H1N1 pandemic.
• Visitors under the age of 18 will not be allowed to visit patients at Hunterdon Medical Center.
• Between 8 AM and 8 PM, all visitors and outpatients coming into the facility will be screened for flu-like symptoms; visitors who are ill will not be allowed to visit patients.
• People coming to the hospital for outpatient testing who have flu-like symptoms will be given a mask to wear. This mask must be worn at all times while at Hunterdon Medical Center. Visitors entering the building who have no symptoms will be given a badge to wear during their visit to alert staff he or she has been screened.
Visitors are good medicine for patients-in the right doses. Those who visit are asked to keep in mind the fact that patients may tire easily. Voices should be kept low and visits kept brief. Please place cell phones in “vibrate” mode and be mindful of other disturbing noises while in our patient care areas.
Unless otherwise noted below, visitors are limited to two per patient at a time. Visiting hours are 12 noon to 8 p.m. except as noted below. Visitors must be 12 years of age or older except with approval of the patient's primary nurse. In order to ensure patient comfort and optimal recovery, the hospital staff may need to limit or restrict visits.
Visitors are asked to clean their hands before and after visiting a patient by using the alcohol hand hygiene products available in the halls and patient rooms. It is also important to comply with isolation precautions, as described on signs at the doorway of patients on isolation; isolation is needed primarily to protect other patients but in some cases is needed to protect the visitor as well.
Hunterdon Medical Center Visiting Schedules
Pediatrics: Parents or individuals caring for the child in place of the parent may visit at any time (only one parent may remain overnight); patient's brothers, sisters and friends if accompanied by an adult, and others, from noon to 8 p.m.
Maternal-Newborn Care Center: Father/significant other, at any time; brothers and sisters of the new baby, 1 to 8 p.m. or by permission by the nursing staff; grandparents, 1 to 8 p.m. Patients’ visitors are limited to four per bedside. Children aside from the newborn’s siblings are not permitted to visit the MNCC Unit.
2 Central: No age restrictions; Daily visiting is from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM; no age restrictions; limit two per patient. All food and beverages brought in by visitors must be in the original sealed packaging.
Intensive Care/Coronary Care Unit: Immediate family only; Daily, 12 noon to 8 p.m, Visitors will be asked to step out of the unit from 6:30 PM to 7;30 PM in order to accommodate shift change and nursing report.
3 West, 5 North & 5 South: 12 noon to 8 p.m. or 24-hour visiting by arrangement with the nurse manager; Children must be 12 and over. Extended visiting hours may be arranged under special situations by contacting the medical unit's Nurse Director. Please stop at the Information Desk to receive a visitor pass.
Emergency Department: Visiting hours in the Emergency Department are dependant upon the volume and acuity of patients within the department at the time. Patients will be allowed up to 2 visitors whenever possible. Visitors will be asked to wait in the waiting room during the triage process and the initial evaluation and assessment of the patient. Parents or Guardians of Pediatric Patients will be kept with the patient at all times, unless separation is necessary for the patient’s safety. Visiting for Behavioral Health patients will be at the discretion of the Emergency Department and Behavioral Health Emergency Services staff. Visiting for Forensic Patients is strictly at the discretion of the custodial officers accompanying the patient.
Telephones
Most patients are provided with a direct-dial telephone in their rooms. Your family and friends may dial you directly without going through the hospital switchboard. Should your room be changed, please remember to let your family members know your new phone number.
Friends and family of patients in the Same Day Center must call Patient Information at (908) 788-6200 and ask to be transferred to the patient's extension number. There is no direct dial access to this patient unit.
Cell phones may be used in most areas of the hospital, with the exception of the Intensive Care Unit and the Operating Room Suite. Please comply with any staff member’s request to limit or cease cell phone use in any patient care area. Cellular phones capable of taking pictures cannot be used to photograph patients.
Room Service
The Food and Nutrition Department is pleased to offer you a delicious room service menu program that enables you to order what you want to eat when you want it. Guest trays may be ordered through room service. Enjoy a three course breakfast for $5.00 or a four course lunch or dinner with beverage for $9.00. To reach the Food and Nutrition Department call 908-788-6131.
A La Carte From the Heart - Your Personal Menu - 6 page PDF Format (179 KB)
Mail and Flowers
When mail or flowers arrive, volunteers deliver them to you as promptly as possible. Flower arrangements are not allowed in the Intensive/Coronary Care Unit (ICU/CCU).
Gift Shop
The Gift Shop on the First Floor is operated by volunteers. It carries fresh floral arrangements, gifts, jewelry, toys, stationery, magazines, and sundries. The shop is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all areas of Hunterdon Healthcare. The entire campus is smoke-free (both inside and outside the hospital facility).