Visitor Information

Visitor Policy Update as of March 1, 2023

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute we believe it is important that our patients have a support person with them during their hospital stay. Thank you for providing support to your loved one during this time.
We’ve had to impose some restrictions due to the health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. While you are here supporting your loved one, we ask that you adhere to the following:

Support person(s) in the hospital: One support person will be allowed in pre-op with the patient. Once the patient is moved to the floor, they are allowed to have two support persons at a time.
If you have a positive cOVID-19 test in the last 10 days, recent exposure within the last 10 days or have COVID-19 symptoms, you should refrain from entering the hospital.
While in the hospital, please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines at all times.
We ask that no visitors spend the night.
We are screening all visitors to our outpatient facilities. Any visitor who is ill will not be able to accompany their patient.
We highly encourage alternative means of communication to provide healing support, such as phone calls, FaceTime, Google Hangouts and Skype.
We will continue to review our process and procedures at our outpatient facilities and clinics.
Our pre-operative classes have been moved online here. We will continue to monitor and update as necessary.

Thank you for supporting your loved one during their hospital stay, and for your adherence to these necessary visitation requirements in these unique and trying times. For helpful information on COVID-19, please download the attached flyer.

Helpful Information about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is a new virus strain that is believed to spread in similar ways as the common cold, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. A health care provider can give you instructions for seeking care, which you can do without exposing others.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute providers are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and we have strong infection control policies, procedures, and systems in place. As recommended by the CDC, our clinicians are screening all patients for fever and respiratory symptoms.

How to protect yourself

You can protect yourself from COVID-19 infection the same ways you protect against the common cold or seasonal flu.

Sanitize your hands often for at least 20 seconds each time. Alcohol gel works well in most situations (like after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose), but handwashing with soap and water should be performed after going to the bathroom, before eating, or when your hands are visibly soiled.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. (Putting a tissue on a table contaminates the surface of the table with germs.)
Stay home when you are sick.
Do not visit hospital patients if you are ill in order to protect patients, visitors and staff. Visitation may be limited at the discretion of the medical providers and hospital staff at any time.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Routinely disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, using a cleaning spray or wipe.
Avoid travel to high-risk countries. Non-essential travel to or through any of the countries for which the CDC has issued a level 2 or 3 travel health notice is discouraged.

If you feel sick

Use home quarantine or home isolation:
- Stay home if you believe you have been exposed to the virus, even if you are not showing any symptoms, and contact your health care provider.
- Stay home when you are sick, especially if you have respiratory illness symptoms.
- Monitor yourself for fever, coughing, and shortness of breath.
- Visit the Orange County Health Care Agency web page for more information:https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/

Stay informed

The CDC has the most current information about the virus, including everything you need to know about how the virus spreads, how it’s treated, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you get sick. Stay on top of the latest news by visiting the following websites, which are being updated frequently.

General Visitor Information

Hoag Orthopedic Institute takes every precaution possible to protect and promote the health of patients, visitors and staff. Visitor support and compassion are important to a patient’s recovery. Here are important tips to keep in mind when visiting a friend or loved one in the hospital.

Please do not visit when:

You are sick
You have a fever, cough or runny nose
You have diarrhea

Show your support with a phone call to stay up to date.

Clean Your Hands

When you enter or leave the hospital
When you enter or leave a patient's room
After sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose
Before eating
After using the bathroom

Patients in Isolation

In the hospital, people who are or may be infected or colonized with an infectious disease are placed in isolation or precautions to prevent the spread of the infection to other patients. Patient safety is our first priority and additional precautions are taken to ensure attentive care to the patient while preventing any potential exposure to others. Visitors and health care providers caring for people in isolation may be required to wear protective garments such as gowns, gloves and/or masks and must follow strict procedures to clean hands.

Visitation may be limited at the discretion of the medical providers and hospital staff at any time.

When you see a precaution sign outside the patient’s door:

Always clean your hands before entering a patient room
Follow the directions on the sign on what protective items to wear while in the patient room, i.e. mask, gloves and/or gown
Remove all protective items before leaving the room and place in the trash
Always clean hands after removing protective items and whenever leaving a patient’s room
Always ask the nurse if you have any questions about precautions and what to do