Visitor Information

Visitor Policy Update as of April 12, 2023

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute we believe it is important that our patients have a support person with them during their hospital stay. 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 additional support persons.
Visitation hours are available 24 hours a day.
Please note that some areas within the hospital restrict visitors at certain times.
Children of all ages are allowed to visit when accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
Visitors have access to the hospital cafeteria.
Pets are not allowed in the Perioperative area, Operating Room, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and Day of Surgery Lounge. Patient’s own dogs are allowed with physician’s advance permission but must follow Hoag Orthopedic Institute’s policy.
Visitors who are ill are not allowed.
Patients with respiratory symptoms will be asked to wear a mask.
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. 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

Related Podcasts & Videos

View All