Always Here, Always Safe
PALOMAR HEALTH INPATIENT VISITOR GUIDELINES
Effective March 24, 2021, superseding all previous visitation guidelines.
Visitors are an important member of the healthcare team and play a vital role in the mental well-being and recovery of our patients. With San Diego County now in the Red Tier and the majority of healthcare professionals vaccinated, CDPH recommends a gradual lifting of visitor restrictions. Therefore, it is encouraged to have visitors at the bedside safely.
**These guidelines are based on current health conditions in our community and are subject to change as conditions change.
- 1-2 visitors age 16 and over are allowed to visit/accompany a patient in the hospital.
- One visitor over the age of 18 may spend the night in the patient’s room.
- If visitors are already present, others must wait outside the hospital. Visitors should not gather or wait in the lobbies.
- Visitors must be screened and receive a visitor wristband at the security desk upon arrival.
- Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to visit.
- Visitors must wear a mask at all times, even while sleeping overnight. If any visitors are not willing to comply they can be asked to leave.
- Visitors may go to the café for food and drinks. However, all food and drink must be consumed outside.
- Social distancing must be practiced at all times. If proper social distancing cannot be done in the patient’s room, the visitor(s) may be asked to leave the room while the care team is present.
- Two visitors may be allowed OUTSIDE the room for a limited amount of time.
- No visitors are allowed in the room or overnight.
- One visitor can accompany the patient in/out of the hospital.
- One visitor can wait in the 2nd floor waiting area during surgery and will be notified when the surgery is complete.
- Two visitors over the age of 16 PLUS a certified doula are allowed.
- 1-2 visitors are allowed.
- No overnight visits.
- Visitors must schedule their visits.
- Long-term patients are allowed 4 scheduled visits each week.
- Rehab patients are allowed 3 scheduled visits each week.
- Visits must be limited to 45 minutes; outdoor visits are preferred.
- Masks must be worn by patients and visitors at all times.
- Social distancing must be practiced at all times.
- All visitors much check in at the front desk for their scheduled visit.
- Unvaccinated visitors will be required to take an antigen test when they arrive for their visit. Results will be provided within 15 minutes. Anyone who tests positive will not be allowed to visit.
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**Palomar Health is not a free COVID-19 testing site**
The cash price for COVID-19 diagnostic lab testing at a Palomar Health hospital is $210 per test. Health plans are required to cover COVID-19 tests at no cost to the enrollee. It is recommended that you first contact your healthcare provider for a COVID-19 test.
Click here for a list of free COVID-19 testing sites provided by the County of San Diego.
Infection Prevention
Palomar Health’s Infection Prevention team has played a significant role in preventing staff and patients from contracting COVID-19 at all Palomar Health facilities during the pandemic. See how they do it.
Emergency Services
We understand this is a time of uncertainty and many people are afraid to come to the hospital. We have seen patients in our Emergency Department who’ve avoided much needed medical treatment out of fear of contracting COVID-19. You should not be afraid. Seek medical care immediately if you’re having an emergency. The Emergency Department is safe and early treatment can result in drastically improved outcomes. Waiting can have irreversible consequences.
Our emergency department is always here, safe and ready to serve our community.
Hospital Safety
To ensure everyone’s safety, Palomar Health is testing all hospital patients for COVID-19 and ensuring all staff use personal protective equipment (PPE) above and beyond the recommended level. We’ve also taken unprecedented actions to clean and disinfect every area of the hospital and limit the number of people coming inside. The precautions include:
- Screening all patients at the door for potential infectious diseases
- Masking all patients and personnel throughout the hospital
- Restricting visitors
- Unprecedented cleaning and sterilization of all surfaces
- Isolating potential COVID-19 in a negative pressure room
Negative pressure rooms are designed to prevent the air from infectious disease patients from mixing with the air from the rest of the hospital. Learn how it works.
Surgeries
Beginning in late April, Palomar Health resumed non-emergent, time-sensitive surgeries and has been steadily increasing the number and types of surgeries it is performing. Now may be the time to talk with your doctor about a surgery you feel may be necessary or following through on that medical procedure you have been putting off. Extra precautions are being taken to protect patients and healthcare workers.
Talk to a Physician
If you are feeling ill (non-emergency) or are due for a medical check-up, don’t put off seeing your doctor any longer. Make your health a priority. Palomar Health is proud to be partners in health with Arch Health Medical Group and Graybill Medical Group who offer virtual and in-person visits for every need. You can also visit Palomar Health’s Find a Doctor page to select a physician that is right for you.
If you would like to learn more about Palomar Health’s response to COVID-19, visit www.PalomarHealth.org/Coronavirus.