A Message to Our Patients About COVID-19

*Visitation guidelines may vary based on individual hospital or county circumstances.

At MemorialCare, we pride ourselves on being a patient- and family-centered organization and know in-person visits provide support and reassurance for patients and families alike. The COVID-19 pandemic is a difficult time for all of us. Times have changed quickly and dramatically due to the virus. As a patient-centered hospital, we must do everything we can to prevent the spread of this disease. Below are temporary COVID-19 visiting guidelines for MemorialCare Hospitals. These are general guidelines; at any time, visitation may be restricted, or hours limited at the discretion of hospital leadership to ensure the safety of patients, staff, physicians, and visitors. All visitation is subject to the ability to maintain social distancing and visitors complying with these guidelines.

In addition to the guidelines below, The California Department of Public Health requires the hospital to verify the vaccination status of each visitor. MemorialCare will screen each visitor to verify they are fully vaccinated or have verified documentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test within 72 hours of the visit. Limited emergent exceptions may apply for support persons visiting critical care patients, pediatric and NICU patients, labor and delivery patients and patients with physical, intellectual, developmental disability and special assistance needs. Only COVID 19 test results from approved testing sites are accepted.

• Minors: Minors, including siblings, must be 16 years and above to visit. Exceptions may be made on a case-by case basis by campus leadership and infection prevention.
• End-of-Life: Any patient who is at the end of life may have up to two (2) designated visitors unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors. Visitation may increase on a case-by case basis.
• Emergency Department: Pediatric patients may have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis. Adult patients may have one (1) visitor at a time, although this may be restricted to no visitation during high patient volumes to ensure the safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors. Visitors will be allowed to be exchanged throughout the day (no maximum to the number of visitors switching out).
• Pediatric Outpatients: Patients in pediatric departments may have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis); visitor must be designated parent/legal guardian or support person(s)at a time unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors.
• Pediatric Inpatients: May have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis; visitor must be designated parent/legal guardian or support person(s) unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff physicians and visitors.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Patients: Visitors will be limited to two (2) parents/legal guardians that are hospital ID banded. They will need to have proof of full COVID 19 vaccination or a negative COVID test with specimen having been collected within the prior 72 hours.
• Maternity Patients: Visitors to the Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum (LDRP) unit are limited to two (2) healthy support persons 18 years or older per hospital stay. Please note, these will be the same support persons for the duration of your hospital stay. Your support persons are permitted to leave the hospital and return as needed to attend to family responsibilities. We ask that these outings are kept to a minimum and that proper social distancing and hand hygiene practices are maintained while outside of the hospital.
• OB Outpatient: Patients in ambulatory OB departments may have one support person visit if space permits or unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors.
• Adult Inpatients: Adult inpatients may have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis who must remain in the room for the duration of the visit unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors.
• Surgical/Procedural Patients: Patients undergoing a surgery or procedure may have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors. There will be no general visitation in the PACU, and Pre-op visits will be determined on a case-by-case basis
• Intensive Care Unit: Visitors will be limited to two (2) visitors at the patient’s bedside. Visitors will be allowed to be exchanged throughout the day (no maximum to the number of visitors switching out).
• Acute Care Services and Observation Care: Visitors will be limited to one (1) at the patient's bedside. Visitors will be allowed to be exchanged throughout the day (no maximum to the number of visitors switching out).
• Patients who require special assistance: Altered, dependent, and patients with cognitive impairments may have one (1) visitor and up to two (2) visitors on a case-by-case basis unless otherwise indicated by staff to ensure safety of patients, staff, physicians and visitors.
• Patients that are COVID+ or suspected COVID: No general visitation is allowed. Exceptions include End of Life, Maternity Partner in Care, Pediatric, NICU and on a case-by case basis.
• Adult Outpatients: All other adult outpatient areas will follow these guidelines unless otherwise specified by the department leadership. 

Each visitor entering a MemorialCare facility must comply with the following:

• Wear a face mask (procedural mask required in patient areas) that covers the entire mouth and nose when entering the facility and must always wear a procedural mask while in patient care areas. The only exception is if visitors are eating or drinking; when their mask is off, they must stay at least 6 feet apart from other individuals. Visitors should use the same mask throughout the day unless discarding is indicated by isolation precautions
• Complete screening each time entering the facility, and disclose, any symptoms of illness including fever, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, new loss of smell or taste, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Visitors with symptoms of illness, including fever, will not be permitted to visit. Once screened, the visitor must go directly to the assigned room of their family member
• Practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet apart from others whenever possible
• Visitors should wash their hands frequently, upon entering the room, leaving the room, before and after eating, and before and after using the restroom
• Visitors are only permitted in hospital approved common areas
• Meals: Visitors may bring a meal with them in an airtight container. We are unable to refrigerate visitors’ meal containers, so food should be able to remain at room temperature.  If a visitor is unable to bring food with them, they may leave the campus for a meal. They will need to be rescreened on re-entry to the hospital
• Remain in the patient’s room or designated waiting areas except when accompanying the patient for approved activities. Once the visitor leaves the patient room or waiting areas, they must immediately exit the facility

Note:   These guidelines are for the protection of patients, staff, and visitors. Visitation is a privilege. Anyone who does not follow this guidance is subject to removal from the facility with further visiting privileges rescinded. Thank you in advance for your full cooperation. Any exceptions to these guidelines must be approved by administration or designee prior to visitation.

Emergency warning signs requiring immediate medical attention are difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to wake up or bluish lips. If you have any of these symptoms go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

If you are mildly ill and need to be seen, it is very important to call your healthcare provider before you come to the Emergency Department so that they can direct you to the most appropriate care, and take precautions to protect other patients, visitors, and employees. Tests are only available for patients who have been screened and are suspected of having the virus. For additional information about Coronavirus, and to discuss possible screening, please contact the Orange County Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448.

Yes, all Emergency Department patients are screened for symptoms of respiratory illness at the entrance to the Emergency Department. Depending on the symptoms and assessment, the next steps for each patient are provided by an emergency department clinician.

We are sorry for the need to modify our visitation policy temporarily and look forward to returning to our customary policy when the risk of spreading COVID-19 is no longer a serious concern.

MemorialCare is prepared to treat and care for all patients, including those who may have been infected with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID19).

Our Emergency Department team is highly trained and experienced in caring for patients, including those who need to receive emergent care for conditions such as severe injuries, heart attack, stroke, or any other emergent medical injury or illness such as a virus or infectious disease. We have taken extra measures during this COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the continued safety, exceptional care and well-being of all our patients and staff, with a special area to treat patients coming in with suspected COVID-19 and an area for non-infectious disease.

Yes, all visitor exceptions will be masked. It is of the utmost importance to reduce the spread of the virus to our patients, your loved ones, that all visitors are masked for the entire visit.

Yes, regardless of the patient or visitor’s health status, visitors should wear a mask.

Replacing masks often is unnecessary. A visitor can use the same mask for the entire day.

Visitor trays are still available at this time. We offer meals between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Call (949) 452-DINE (3463). We accept most major credit cards.

No. For the health and safety of your loved one, it’s important that you stay in room for your entire visit. Upon exiting the patient room, then you will need to exit the facility.

As we continue to protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff, we have closed the following entrances on our campus at this time:

• The Saddleback Medical Office Tower entrance facing the Laguna Hills Mall on Calle de la Louisa is closed. Please use the entrance nearest our Valet tent on Calle de la Magdalena to enter the Saddleback Medical Office Tower.
• The Women’s Hospital entrance is only open to Labor & Delivery patients. All others can use our main hospital entrance.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we continue to ensure the health and safety of everyone at Saddleback Medical Center.

The Saddleback Medical Office Tower entrance facing the Laguna Hills Mall on Calle de la Louisa is closed. Please use the entrance nearest our Valet tent on Calle de la Magdalena to enter the Saddleback Medical Office Tower.

We have canceled our in-person classes and events until further notice. To view a list of our virtual classes, please visit memorialcare.org/sbclasses 

If you need a prescription, please contact your pharmacy. If you are out of refills, your pharmacy will contact your doctor for you. Ask your doctor and/or pharmacy if delivery is an option for you.

Continue to take all current medications unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Yes, healthy individuals without signs of respiratory illness may donate blood. Blood donors will need to check-in and wear a mask the entire time of their visit.

Yes, the gift shop is open Monday – Friday from 7:30 am – 3:30 pm. Starting at $15, we can provide personalized wrapped gifts that can be delivered to a patient’s room at your request. While we are not carrying flowers at this time, we can prepare a balloon bouquet.

Additionally, we are offering curbside pick-up and free gift wrapping of items purchased at the gift shop.

For any of these services, please call 949-452-3426.

Yes, flower deliveries are accepted at the main hospital entrance lobby. While our gift shop is not currently carrying flowers, we can prepare a balloon bouquet. To order a balloon bouquet, please call 949-452-3426.

Emergency Department Visitor Screening Policy