Your Family and Friends – Visitation

Visitation

Raritan Bay Medical Center welcomes your family and friends and tries to make their visits pleasant. However, our primary responsibility is the well-being of our patients, and so we ask you to adhere to the following guidelines:-

1. All visitors are must obtain a “Visitor’s Pass” at the Patient Information Desk.
2. Only two (2) visitors per patient are permitted at one time (except where noted otherwise); unless approved by the Nursing Supervisor on duty.
3. All visitors will abide by hospital rules and regulations in place to support quality care for patients and a safe environment for all individuals in the hospital and be considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel.  The medical center is a smoke-free environment.
4. All visitors will respect medical center property as well as the private property of other patients and hospital personnel.  Medical center property is not to be removed from the premises.
5. All visitors will be courteous and respectful to other visitors, patients, physicians and hospital personnel.
6. Visitors are restricted to public areas of the medical center and the unit designated on their “Visitor Pass”.
7. Minimum age for visiting is 12 years of age (except where noted otherwise); unless approved by the Nursing Supervisor on duty.  Parents will be asked to remove any child whose behavior is disruptive.
8. Visiting privileges will be denied to individuals who appear to be under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs and/or whose behavior is inappropriate or disruptive to the safety and well-being of others.
9. Visitors should not bring food for patient consumption unless approved by the Nurse Manager or charge nurse.
10. The medical center reserves the right to inspect all packages brought into the medical center.
11. To ensure the personal safety of patients and staff, RBMC regulates the use of patient-owned electrical equipment.  Only a few select items are permitted for use in the medical center such as small battery powered devices and electric shavers.  RBMC reserves the right to remove from a patient’s room or vicinity any personal electrical device that presents a risk to their safety or to the safety of other patients or staff.  Other than noted above, all electrical devices must be approved by Bio-Medical Engineering Department.
12. The medical center reserves the right to limit, change or suspend visiting hours as deemed necessary to ensure the safety and security of patients, hospital personnel and visitors.

VISITING HOURS:

a)      General Visiting Hours (Medical/Surgical and Telemetry Units):

• 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

b)     Intensive Care (ICU) / Coronary Care (CCU):

• Open Visitation 24 hours/day, seven days/per with the exception of “Quiet Time” which is from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. “Quiet Time” facilitates patient privacy and appropriate communication among the interdisciplinary team during change of shift.

c)      LDRP (Maternity/Post-Partum):

• Fathers or designated others may visit between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.  The father’s newborn ID Band will serve as his pass to the unit.  Individuals with the newborn ID Band may stay overnight providing the patient does not have a roommate.
• Other relatives and friends may visit between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• Siblings may visit daily between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Guidelines and safety measures will be reviewed with the patient.  In order to visit, a child must be at least 15 months and have had their measles, mumps and rubella immunizations.  Children must be well, with no upper respiratory infections, sore throats, rashes, diarrhea, recent exposure to infectious diseases, or any signs or symptoms of infection.  Children and accompanying adult must wash their hands in the mother’s room when they arrive.  Siblings may hold the infant under the parent’s supervision.  Special arrangements may be made if sibling unable to visit during designated times.  Additionally, special arrangements may be made for siblings to visit in the Level II Nursery for no more than ten (10) minutes.  Close parental supervision will be necessary and these arrangements will be made at the discretion of the nurse in charge based on the activity of the unit.
• During the intrapartum period (while mother is in labor) visitors will be restricted to three (3) individuals.  The charge nurse will monitor visitation and adjustments may be made at the charge nurse’s discretion due to but not limited to patient care needs and unit activity.
• Security of infants will be enforced by releasing baby to the mother or significant other who has an intact ID Band with corresponding numbers.
• If Security must be called for nursing concerns with infant safety/security, the parent(s) or visitor(s) will be instructed about the nature of the concern.  This will include information that would restrict their visiting privileges should the same individual’s behavior cause Security to be called again.  Social Work will be called as needed to help the family cope with any stressors the new family may be experiencing.  If Security is called more than twice for nursing concerns with infant safety/security, visitation will be restricted for the remainder of the infant’s hospitalization.  Visitor Passes will be voided and Nursing or Security will notify the Information Desk of the restriction on visitors.

d)     Pediatrics:

• Visiting is restricted to two (2) visitors at a time; inclusive of the parents.
• Parents may visit from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. One parent or designated adult may stay with the child from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• Grandparents may visit from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Other relatives and friends may visit between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Siblings or other children under the age of 12 years may visit during agreed upon times with the permission of the Nurse Manager or charge nurse.
• Parents may eat in the child’s room if necessary.  Other visitors are asked to eat in the Coffee Shop or Cafeteria.

e)      Center for Living (CFL/CLI) – Voluntary and Involuntary Units:

• Monday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday and Holidays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• All visitors must check in at the Reception Desk on the unit and sign the Visitor’s Log Book at which time they will be given a copy of the prohibited items list.
• Minimum age for visitation on this unit is 16 years of age.  Special arrangements can be made for children under the age of 16 years to visit with a patient on the Center for Living with a specific order from the physician indicating whether staff supervision is required.  The child must be accompanied by an adult.
• Individuals visiting patients may do so in the following areas under staff supervision:  Dining Room, Reception Area, Waiting Room.  If visitation in the patient’s room is necessary, staff supervision is required.  Exception:  Geriatric Program patients may receive visitors in their rooms.
• Any package brought for a patient must be inspected by the staff.  Prohibited items will be sent home with the visitor.  Visitors may not keep any smoking materials on their person while visiting.
• Former patients of the Center for Living (Voluntary or Involuntary) may not visit another patient on the unit until they have been discharged for a period of not less than 30 days.

f)       Emergency Department:

• One visitor per patient at a time.
• Parents/Guardians are allowed for all children being treated.
• No food or drink is allowed in the treatment rooms.
• Visitor access is limited to the treatment room or treatment bay.
• To maintain patient privacy, visitors will be asked to leave during patient evaluation/examination and at 7:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. to facilitate patient privacy and appropriate communication among the interdisciplinary team during change of shift.

g)      Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU):

• Visitors are only allowed with the authorization of the charge nurse (or designee) or crisis counselor.  Determination is based on the needs of the patient and the activity of the unit.
• Safety and Security must check with the charge nurse (or designee) or crisis counselor before allowing any visitor into CSU.
• A parent or guardian must remain with any child being treated in the CSU and may only leave at the discretion of the charge nurse (or designee).
• Children under the age of 12 years are not allowed to visit or remain in the CSU.  Exception can be made at the discretion of the charge nurse (or designee) or crisis counselor.

h)     Hospice Patients:

• Hospice patients will be placed in a private room (whenever possible).  Family and friends will be afforded the opportunity to remain with patient around the clock; unless the patient has a roommate.

PARKING

Perth Amboy location is available for an hourly charge in the parking deck on the corner of New Brunswick Avenue and Groom Street. Visitor parking is available on the first level. Parking for handicapped visitors, Outpatient / Pre-Admission Testing patients, and short term parking is available directly across from the hospital main entrance on Groom Street.

Old Bridge location is available in the lot directly in front of the Medical Center.

FOOD AND GIFTS

Patient Meals are individualized to meet the patient’s specific health needs.  Our hostesses will take your meal orders regularly throughout the day while  your dietitian will assess your nutritional status and needs. Our talented team of culinary professionals will prepare your food the way you like it! Specialty meals are available to meet your unique religious, ethnic and/or spiritual needs.

Guest trays are available for those wishing to eat with their friends and family in the patient room. Please contact the Food and Nutrition department at extension 5122.

Innovations by the Bay provides breakfast, lunch and dinner service daily 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. This retail venue is located on the 4th floor gold wing, at RBMC’s Perth Amboy location. At Old Bridge the café is located on the 2nd floor of the Medical Arts building and is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The daily menu is available by calling 732.324.3220 at Perth Amboy and 732.324.4220 at Old Bridge.

Café by the Bay is conveniently located in the main lobby of RBMC’s Perth Amboy location. This retail venue features grab and go meals, specialty coffees and other beverages, fresh pastries and a variety of snacks. In addition, fresh flowers, toys, gifts, toiletries, newspapers, magazines and many other items are available for purchase. Café by the Bay is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Wireless internet service is available. The gift shop at Old Bridge is located in the main lobby of the medical center and features a wide selection of gifts, stationary, books, snacks and flowers. It is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.