Patient Visitation Policy

To maintain a safe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have temporarily revised our visitation policy. These guidelines apply to all patients within Community Memorial Hospital and Ojai Valley Community Hospital.

Specialty Area Guidelines Based on Current Risk Level: State Tier – Purple

Adult Patients

LEVEL PURPLECOVID Positive or SuspectedCOVID Negative
Hospitalized PatientsNo visitorsNo visitors
Patients with Physical, Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities Patients with Cognitive Impairment1 support person where special assistance is required 2 persons may be designated, but only 1 may be present  at a time1 support person where special assistance is required 2 persons may be designated, but only 1 may be present  at a time
Compassionate Care VisitsMaximum of 1 visitor allowed at a time.Maximum of 1 visitor allowed at a time.  
Labor and Delivery1 support person1 support person and a Doula, if used.  Doula must leave after delivery.
Mother-Baby1 support person1 support person  
Emergency DepartmentNo VisitorsNo visitors, unless special assistance is required**  
Outpatient Procedures- Cath Lab, SurgeryNo VisitorsOne support person at time of service  
Ambulatory Clinics1 support person where special assistance is required1 support person where special assistance is required  

Pediatric Patients

LEVEL PURPLECOVID Positive or SuspectedCOVID Negative
Hospitalized PatientsOne parent or guardian2 parents or guardians
NICUOne parent or banded individual2 parents or banded individuals
Emergency DepartmentOne parent or guardian2 parents or guardians
Outpatient Procedures- Cath Lab, SurgeryOne parent or guardian2 parents or guardians
Ambulatory ClinicsOne parent or guardian2 parents or guardians

Adult Patients

LEVEL REDCOVID Positive or SuspectedCOVID Negative
Hospitalized PatientsNo visitors1 designated visitor
Patients with Physical, Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities Patients with Cognitive Impairment1 support person where special assistance is required 2 persons may be designated, but only 1 may be present  at a time1 support person where special assistance is required 2 persons may be designated, but only 1 may be present  at a time
Compassionate Care VisitsMaximum of 1 visitor allowed at a time.Maximum of 2 visitors allowed at a time.
Labor and Delivery1 support person and a Doula, if used.  Doula must leave after delivery.1 support person and a Doula, if used.  Doula must leave after delivery.
Mother-Baby1 banded support person  1 banded support person
Emergency DepartmentNo Visitors  1 designated visitor
Outpatient Procedures- Cath Lab, SurgeryNo VisitorsOne support person at time of service
Ambulatory Clinics1 support person where special assistance is required1 support person where special assistance is required

Pediatric Patients

LEVEL REDCOVID Positive or SuspectedCOVID Negative
Hospitalized Patients2 parents or guardians2 parents or guardians
NICU1 parent or banded individual  2 parents or banded individuals
Emergency Department2 parents or guardians  2 parents or guardians
Outpatient Procedures- Cath Lab, Surgery2 parents or guardians2 parents or guardians
Ambulatory Clinics2 parents or guardians  2 parents or guardians

Definitions:

Compassionate Care Visits – Compassionate care situations refer to end-of life and or hospice care, but may include other visits to support grieving patients, or to provide religious and spiritual support.  The patients care team may make compassionate exceptions when appropriate

Special assistance** is any circumstance where a patient’s care team determines that a visitor is critical to physical or emotional care

For assistance in determining extenuating circumstances to override the above restrictions, please contact the Nursing Director associated with the unit, or the Vice President, Patient Care/CNO for guidance.

General Hospital Visitation Guidelines: State Tier – Purple

  • No visitors will be permitted for ADULT patients, except:
    • To provide support to patients with physical, intellectual and/or developmental or cognitive disabilities. One support person to be present when medically necessary.
    • Labor & Delivery patients may have one support person and a doula, if used. After delivery, only one support person allowed.
    • Compassionate Care visitation is allowed for patients at end of life and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • All visitors will be screened before entering the facility.
  • All visitors must be 18 years or older, have a temperature below 100.0 F and no signs/symptoms of COVID-19 for the past two days, and wear a face mask at all times.
  • Visitors who are ill, have a fever or have had exposure to a suspected/confirmed COVID-19 contact within the past 14 days will not be permitted to enter any CMHS location.
  • Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days, or has a pending COVID test, should not visit or accompany a patient.
  • All approved visitors must wear appropriate personal protective equipment and clean hands frequently (using alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water).
  • Visitors/support persons must maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet between persons.
  • Visitors/support persons must remain in the patient’s room, except when accessing public restrooms.
  • Visitors/support persons must refrain from eating and drinking in patient rooms, as these activities necessitate mask removal.

Note: Only visitors meeting the outlined criteria and not exceeding allowed numbers will be permitted access into the facilities. All additional individuals must remain outside of the hospital.

Note: Visitors unable or unwilling to comply with these infection prevention requirements will be restricted from visiting in person and encouraged to use alternative visitation methods.

Note: Circumstances with specific caregiving needs will be handled on a case-by-case basis in consultation with nursing and the attending physician. Nursing management must approve any exception to these guidelines.

Options for Alternative Visiting

We encourage visitation using virtual means and phone calls to connect with loved ones while they are in the hospital.
If help is needed with this, please let a staff member know. Examples include FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Zoom, WebEx or other web-based video chatting platforms.

We understand the importance of family and friends in the healing process and ask that you help us minimize possible exposures during these times. If you have any questions, please call 805-948-8170.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience.