Always Here, Always Safe


Effective October 6, 2022, superseding all previous visitation guidelines.

Following CDPH State Public Health Order changes, visitor screening will no longer include checking COVID-19 vaccination status or requiring COVID-19 testing of visitors. Visitors are expected to follow the masking requirements and general visitation guidelines held by Palomar Health.

**These guidelines are based on current health conditions in our community and are subject to change as conditions change.

Additionally, the following visitor limitations are in place:
 

  • Visiting hours are restricted to 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. for inpatient units.
  • Visiting hours for the Emergency Department are 24 hours a day.
  • Up to 2 visitors/support persons age >18 at a time are allowed to visit/accompany a patient in the hospital.
  • Up to 2 visitors/support person age >18 at a time are allowed to accompany a patient in the emergency department.
  • Palomar Health does not allow “at home” testing.
  • Palomar Health does not perform any testing for visitors/support persons.
 
  • All visitors allowed in the building will be screened, given a wristband and required to wear a well-fitting face mask (surgical mask is recommended) upon entry and at all times within the building.
  • Gaiters, bandanas and masks with small plastic valves on the front are not permitted.
  • Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to visit.
  • Visitors must remain in the patient's room and comply with any instructions related to physical distancing from staff or other patients.
  • Visitors should leave the facility right away after finishing their visit.
  • Eating/drinking is not allowed in the lobbies or patient rooms. Visitors may eat/drink in the cafeteria.
  • Additional PPE the healthcare team deems appropriate while in the patient's room may also be required.
  • Social distancing must be practiced at all times. If proper social distancing cannot be done in the patient’s room, the visitor may be asked to leave the room while the care team is present. 
  • If any visitors are not willing to comply with all infection control guidelines, they can be asked to leave.

  • No visitors are allowed to visit COVID-19 positive patients in the hospital at this time.
  • Exceptions may be considered for patients at end-of-life, or patients with physical, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities and cognitive impairments. This must be approved in advance by the patient’s care team.

  • Up to 2 support persons can accompany the patient in/out of the hospital.
  • Visitors can wait in 2nd floor waiting area during surgery and will be notified when the surgery is complete, permitting the ability to social distance. 

  • 2 support persons age > 18 are allowed.
  • COVID-19 positive patients in labor and delivery are allowed one support person, who must remain in the room at all times.
  • One birthing partner with a laboring mother will be exempt from proof of vaccination or testing.
  • After the baby is born, just one person > 18 may stay the night.
  

Any visitor entering the facility, regardless of their vaccination status, must adhere to the following:
  • All visitors must be screened for fever and COVID-19 symptoms and/or exposure within the prior 14 days to another person with COVID-19; if a visitor has COVID-19 symptoms or has been in close contact with a confirmed positive case, they must reschedule their visit, regardless of their vaccination status.
  • All visitors must wear a well-fitting face mask with good filtration (N95, KF94, KN95, or surgical masks are preferred over cloth face coverings) and perform hand hygiene upon entry and in all common areas in the facility; 
  • If personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for contact with the resident due to COVID-19 positive isolation status (including fully vaccinated visitors), it must be donned and doffed according to instruction by HCP.
  • Facilities should limit visitor movement in the facility, regardless of the visitor's vaccination status; for example, visitors should not walk around the hallways of the facility and should go directly to and from the resident's room or designated visitation area.

Visitors who have tested positive for COVID-19 should not be permitted to visit or should be asked to leave if they are still within their isolation period (within 10 days of their positive test). Under such circumstances, facilities must offer alternatives for remote (Skype, etc.) or telephone visitation. Staff should provide monitoring for those who may have difficulty adhering to core principles, such as children.

 

 

**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.
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