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Visiting Guidelines

 

 

Updated March 15, 2022

In alignment with the most recent health order from the California Department of Public Health, COVID-19 vaccination verification or negative COVID test (within 72 hours of visit) and a valid ID is required for visitation.

For the safety of our patients, families, and staff, visitors must:

  • Be limited to one visitor at a time 1 hour per person per day for medical-surgical, telemetry, and 15 minutes per visitor for ICU.
  • Present proof of vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hours of visitation and a valid ID to visit inpatients.
  • Be in good health and undergo symptom screening when entering the building.
  • Wear a medical mask at all times when in the building and the patient room.
  • Maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others in all areas.
  • Stay in the patient’s room while on the unit.
  • Visitors are not permitted to eat in the patient’s room or lobby because this would require unmasking.

Any visitors who are unwilling or unable to follow these guidelines will be asked to leave the premises. Restrictions do not apply to end-of-life care.

Visiting Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Any other visitation will be approved on a case-by-case basis by speaking with a social worker at (562) 863-4763.

Don't Put Your Health on Hold

Your hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers have implemented extra safety precautions for more than one year now to ensure you remain safe while seeking vital medical care. Don't delay your medical care any longer, especially for chronic conditions (see "Your Safety and Well-being are our No. 1 Priority") below. 

Follow these 4 tips:

  1. Don’t Distance from your Doctor
  2. Don’t Skip your Screenings
  3. Don’t Delay Emergency Care
  4. It’s Safe to Get Care
Hear from our employees on why they chose to get vaccinated.
COVID Update and California Crisis Continuum Guidelines

Our hospital follows the guidelines recommended by the California Department of Public Health to determine the appropriate steps and actions for our environment and resources during a surge of patients, which can occur with a pandemic, such as COVID.

This document link below provides an overview of the surge capacity and crisis care operations our hospital has taken into considerations to ensure we continue to provide the best care for the individual patient to delivering the best care for our community.

California SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Crisis Care Guidelines
Your Safety and Well-being are Our #1 Priority

Following state and federal guidelines for more than a year now—as well as our own rigorous processes and clinical standards—we remain committed to creating the safest possible environment for you and our staff.

To balance care with caution, our enhanced measures include:

  • Pre-procedure screening for all surgery patients
  • Social distancing policies for staff and patients
  • Adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ventilators, medications, and other medical supplies
  • Daily terminal cleaning of the operating rooms to include the use of vaporizing aerial hydrogen peroxide technology for additional disinfection
  • Separate inpatient and outpatient admitting areas, entrances and exits to prevent any potential exposure
  • Inpatient and outpatient staff remain in designated areas assigned for the length of shift

We continue to abide by the “No Visitor” policy. Exceptions can be addressed on individual basis. One of our admitting representatives will review our safety procedures prior to your procedure.

We look forward to providing valuable healthcare services to our community. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your surgeon, or call us at (562) 863-4763.

What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms of coronavirus?

If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community:

  • Stay home if you are experiencing mild symptoms. You should restrict activities outside of your home, except for getting medical care.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if your illness is worsening (i.e., difficulty breathing). Reach out to your healthcare provider by calling ahead. Tell your provider that you have or may have coronavirus-like symptoms so the staff can take steps to keep other patients from getting infected.
  • If available, wear a face mask when you are around other people to help prevent the spread of the virus.
When should I seek medical care?
  • If you are experiencing a severe medical emergency, such as shortness of breath, chest pain or altered mental status, please call 911 and request an ambulance.

  • If you’re experiencing mild or moderate symptoms, call the doctor’s office, emergency department or urgent care first so the staff can provide you more information and/or be ready to isolate you upon arrival. You also can call the city’s department of health for further instructions at 211.

Where can I get more information?

To learn more about the coronavirus, visit the CDC, World Health Organization and Los Angeles County Health & Human Services Agency websites.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns, we’re here to help! Please call us at (562) 863-4763 and ask to speak to an admitting representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General visiting hours are from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day, with two visitors at a time per patient. The intensive care unit (ICU) and critical care unit (CCU) allow friends and families to visit for 10 minutes each hour.

Visits by family members and friends are encouraged because they are important for the recovery. Although the circumstances of each unit are special, advanced consultation with the patient’s nurse is recommended.

  • Medical and Surgical Units: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Two visitors at a time are allowed.
  • Intensive Care Unit: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Two visitors at bedside 10 minutes each hour are permitted. Immediate family, significant others, and specifically requested persons may visit. If sleeping, patients will not be awakened for visitors.

Visitor Guidelines

All visitors are required to wear a visitor identification band obtained from the security desk located in the lobby of the main hospital entrance on Bloomfield Ave.

The following guidelines aid not only in the health and safety of patients and their families, but our employees as well:

  • Children under the age of 14 years old are not permitted as visitors, except in special circumstances with the approval of the charge nurse.
  • Patients shall be limited to two visitors at one time.
  • The nurse director/charge nurse may authorize special exceptions if a patient’s condition makes it necessary.
  • Wash hands before and after visiting patients, and insist healthcare providers do the same before caring for your loved one.
  • For the safety of our valued patients and to prevent the spread of a contagious illness, we ask that visitors experiencing symptoms of cold, flu, or any contagious illness refrain from visiting patients.
  • Keep voices down so that patients may rest. Privacy is very important to all patients.
  • Visitors are not to wait in corridors; please utilize approved waiting areas.

Norwalk Community Hospital is a tobacco-free campus. For the health of our patients, we ask visitors, physicians and employees to refrain from smoking and tobacco use while on the hospital grounds.

In the spirit of patient/family-centered care and services, we encourage visits by family members and friends. For more information, call (562) 863-4763.