Always Here, Always Safe

PALOMAR HEALTH INPATIENT VISITOR GUIDELINES
Effective December 23, 2020; supersedes all previous guidelines
 
Due to the increase of COVID-19 in our community and our hospitals we are restricting visitation. Visitors are only allowed for the following patients:
 
  • Patients who are End of Life – two visitors allowed, as determined by the care team
  • Patients who are Labor/Delivery – one support person and one doula allowed
  • Patients undergoing surgery who REQUIRE assistance into the hospital and registration. The visitor will not be allowed to wait in the hospital during the surgical procedure.

No other visitors will be allowed at this time.
 
Guidelines | These guidelines are set forth to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission and protect patients, visitors and staff. With changing clinical circumstances, visitors may be asked to permanently or temporarily leave in the best interest of patient or employee safety.

Visitation | Approved visitors are allowed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and may not leave and re-enter the hospital throughout the day. Visitors are required to stay in the patient's room, and may leave only to utilize the restroom. Patients who are positive for COVID-19 cannot have visitors in the room. Those who are COVID-19 positive and still under home isolation, or symptomatic with fever, new cough, new shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, will not be permitted to visit. Symptomatic visitors may only return once symptom-free.
 
Mask Requirements | Visitors must wear a mask at all times inside and outside of the room. Bandanas, gaiter masks and mask with exhalation valve are not allowed. Anyone not following mask requirements will be asked to leave.


**Palomar Health is not a free COVID-19 testing site**
The cash price for COVID-19 diagnostic lab testing at Palomar Health 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.

Here is a list of free COVID-19 testing sites in North County (provided by County of San Diego):
  • Cal State University San Marcos | 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, 92078 | Walk-In Only
  • California Center for the Arts | 260 N. Escondido Blvd, Escondido, 92025 | Appointments Required
  • Fallbrook Regional Health District | 1636 E. Mission Rd, Fallbrook, 92028 | Appointments Preferred
  • Julian Library | 1850 CA-78, Julian, 92036 | Appointments Preferred 
  • Mira Mesa Senior Center | 8460 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, 92126 | Appointments Required
  • Mission San Luis Rey | 4050 Mission Ave, Oceanside, 92057 | Drive-Up Only
  • North Coastal Live Well Health Center | 1701 Missions Ave, Oceanside, 92058 | Appointments Required
  • Ramona Library | 1275 Main St, Ramona, 92065 | Appointments Preferred

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.

  • The mission of Palomar Health is to heal, comfort
    and promote health in the communities we serve.

    Palomar Health is a California Public Healthcare District.

     

  • Palomar Medical Center Escondido

    2185 Citracado Parkway
    Escondido, CA 92029
    442.281.5000
     

    Palomar Medical Center Poway

    15615 Pomerado Road
    Poway, CA 92064
    858.613.4000

 
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