Patient and Visitor Screening Policy


Updated January 4, 2023

At Hoag, we take our role as your health care provider to heart, and appreciate you trusting us with your health care needs.

Face Mask or Cloth Covering

Anyone entering a health care facility (e.g., health care personnel, patients, visitors) is required to wear a hospital grade face mask at all times regardless of vaccination status. One will be provided to you upon entry.

Updated Visitor Policy

Our patient care philosophy is deeply rooted in our belief that engaging patients and their families is an important part of the healing process. With that in mind, we are instituting new visitor policies until further notice, in the interest of the continued health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff.

The California Department of Public Health no longer requires visitors to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or have a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter a health care facility.

Hospital visitors are permitted in the following circumstances:

  • All patients are allowed to have two visitors at a time.
  • General visiting hours are 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily and visitors must arrive no later than 9:30 p.m. to enter. This does not apply to patients in labor, NICU patients, End of Life patients, Acute Rehab patients and Emergency Department patients where visitation hours are handled on a case by case basis.
  • Occasionally, visitors may be asked to leave if a patient is having a procedure, needs rest, or due to disruptive behavior.
  • Visitor restrictions apply to the following areas:
    • Critical care areas: Visitors are not allowed from 7 a.m. – 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
    • Neonatal ICU: Visitors are not allowed from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Surgical/OR patients are only allowed to have one support person. Due to limited space in the OR setting and to maintain social distancing, surgical/OR patients are only allowed one support person at this time.
  • Maternity Patients – For new mothers laboring and delivering, they may have two support persons at a time. One support person is allowed to stay overnight. Patients in labor may also choose to use a doula. Prior arrangements for doula to be present must be made with the hospital and doula must comply with PPE and Infection Prevention guidelines. Patients who choose to use a doula will still be allowed two support persons.
    • Doula’s are only allowed when a patient is in active labor, not when the patient is postpartum. Doulas must present a valid contract and are required to leave 2 hours post-delivery.
    • Antepartum patients may have two support persons at a time during normal visitation hours.
    • Post-partum patients may have two support persons at a time. One support person is allowed to stay overnight.
    • Only children of the patient will be permitted in maternal child areas per their normal visitation policy.
  • Patients who may be facing end of life – We will work with families to ensure that they are able to be with their family member.
  • Minors – Minors will be permitted to have two support persons at a time at hospital campuses.
    • Patients arriving for Emergency Services and OB Services can bring children into the hospital facility.
  • Visiting clergy will be permitted to support the spiritual needs of our patients.
  • Visitors are not permitted to spend the night except in certain cases, where it may be necessary for the patient or with end of life circumstances.
  • Pet visits are restricted unless it is a service animal or visiting an End of Life patient.

Please be aware that the Hoag Family Cancer Institute, Hoag Conference Center/Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute and Advanced Technology Pavilion located on the Hoag Hospital Newport Beach lower campus are considered outpatient facilities and must follow the Outpatient Visitor Policy.

Visitor Policy for Outpatient Facilities including Hoag Health Center and Hoag Urgent Care Facilities

Hoag is currently enforcing a Limited Visitor Policy at Hoag Health Center and Hoag Urgent Care facilities.

  • All patients are allowed to have one support person for outpatient areas.
  • Minors – Minors will be permitted to have two support persons for outpatient areas. No other children are allowed to enter unless they are also patients.
  • Hoag Newport Infusion Center is not allowing visitors at this time as there are space constraints.

Due to limited space and to maintain social distancing, patients in the outpatient setting are only allowed one support person at this time unless otherwise noted above.

Please note that patients who arrive with their children who are not patients will be asked to reschedule their appointment for another time when child care arrangements can be made.

Our care teams will help determine the need for a patient to have a support person based on the above outlined criteria.

Any visitor who meets one of these criteria will be screened at the health facility entrance. Visitors who are ill with the following symptoms will not be permitted to visit patients. Exceptions will be made only for extreme circumstances (i.e. End of Life, Laboring Spouse).

Signs and Symptoms

  • Fever (100.0F or higher)
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Chills
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Congestion
  • Runny Nose

Approved visitors at hospital campuses will be provided with an armband.

We highly encourage alternative means of communication to provide healing support, such as phone calls, FaceTime, Google Hangouts and Skype.

As additional precautions, flower and food deliveries have been suspended in an effort to limit the number of vendors in the hospital.

The decision to restrict visitors was difficult and made only after careful consideration to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for your understanding and support as we remain committed to our mission to provide the highest quality health care to the communities we serve.

Patient Screening

All patients will be screened at the hospital entrance. Our health centers and urgent care facilities have visitor/patient screening signage placed at all entrances.

We understand that some patients who are ill with symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, body aches, chills or new loss of taste or smell, may need to enter our facilities. Patients are asked to provide this information to the facility upon scheduling their appointment and/or upon arriving to the facility so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Patients who need immediate medical care should continue to go to the nearest Emergency Room for immediate care or call 911.

Anyone entering a health care facility (e.g., health care personnel, patients, visitors) is required to wear a face mask or cloth covering at all times. Examples of a cloth covering include scarf, bandana, homemade mask, etc. Cloth coverings must cover mouth and nose. Please do not wear a mask with exhalation valves.