Dignity Health St. John’s Hospitals Limit Visitors

Updated limitations put in place as a protective measure against COVID-19, seasonal flu, and other flu-like illnesses

OXNARD, CA – (March 23, 2020) – Due to significant flu-like activity in Ventura County and concerns about transmitting COVID-19, St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH), and St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC), members of Dignity Health, have implemented the following visitor restrictions.

While we are taking these precautions to be compliant with federal, state, and local guidance, the health care and best interest of our patients and community remains our first priority.

Effective immediately at all hospitals:

• These guidelines now restrict visitation to ALL patients.
• All visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
• Patients who are minors will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and must be accompanied by the adult care partner at all times.
• Visitor restrictions for end-of-life situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• We encourage loved ones to utilize any personal face-time technology to communicate with a patient.
• Patients and visitors may only enter through the hospital Emergency Department and main entrance. All other entrances are employee-access only.
• All community workshops and classes, bariatric seminars and support groups, prenatal classes, birthing tours and classes will be postponed until further notice.
• Only one care partner, per patient, per day is allowed in the following units (SJRMC):
  • Labor and Delivery
  • Mother-Infant Unit
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
• Per recommendation by California Governor Gavin Newsom, it is advised that hospital volunteers age 65 and over maintain home isolation.
• SJRMC gift shop is closed until further notice.
• In an abundance of caution, hospital cafés are following local public health guidelines and are now serving pre-packaged items. This will not impact patient nutrition.

Visitors are being screened using the standards established by the health department in our respective counties. Additionally, masks are required at all times for Emergency Department patients experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and/or nasal congestion.

If you would like to visit someone in the hospital but you are experiencing fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and/or nasal congestion, please visit on another day when you have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.

By limiting the number of people in the hospital setting, we are following the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines for reducing the spread of flu-like illnesses. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Older individuals with severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. In addition, remember to wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your face.

This situation is rapidly changing. Restricted access points and visiting guidelines may change daily. For the latest information, please check our websites: DignityHealth.org/PleasantValley, and DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional.

The restricted visitor policy will be lifted as soon as possible. Hospital officials urge people of all ages with flu-like symptoms to stay home and consult first with their primary care physician.

For the latest information on COVID-19, please visit the Ventura County Health Care Agency, the official Ventura County Incident Information Source, and CDC.gov.

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About Dignity Health St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John’s Regional Medical Center

St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard are members of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety and service. Both hospitals are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region also include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/PleasantValley and DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional.