Flu and COVID-19 Patient & Visitor Information
Flu Restrictions
Our primary goal at Roxborough Memorial Hospital is to provide the best quality of care in a safe environment for your loved ones. To protect our patients, we must manage their exposure to easily spread illnesses, such as the flu.
We carefully monitor flu activity levels in the hospital and the community. When certain thresholds are met, we must take action to halt the spread and limit the number of visitors allowed in our patient areas.
Effective at 8 a.m. from December 5, 2022, to April 1, 2023, we ask that:
Visitor Guidelines
- Children under 16 will not be permitted in the hospital.
- Any visitor with fever, cough or diarrhea should stay home.
- All visitors are required to wear a mask.
Hand Hygiene
- Visitors and patients should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
- Hand sanitizer is the preferred method unless otherwise indicated (look for a sign near the patient’s door).
- Hand hygiene should be done before and after patient contact.
Flu prevention stations
- Visitors and patients should take notice of the flu prevention stations placed in the lobby’s vestibule and in the ER waiting room.
- The stations include personal protective equipment, such as hand sanitizer and face masks, to help keep you safe.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Infection Prevention and Control at Telephone (215) 487-4547.
We certainly understand the desire to be with patients and the benefits your presence and support contribute. We apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause.
Your understanding and cooperation during this time are tremendously appreciated. And we encourage you to be prepared for flu season by getting an influenza vaccination through your primary care provider, pharmacy, or another venue.
COVID-19 Restrictions
Your Safety is Our Top Priority
You may be concerned about news of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and its implications for your health and those of your loved ones. Your safety and well-being are our top priority.
Visitor Restrictions:
Visitor Restrictions:
Effective January 07, 2021, we implemented visitor restrictions in our inpatient and outpatient areas of Roxborough Memorial Hospital.
Visitors will not be permitted in inpatient areas unless authorized by the clinical leadership team member. Any approved visitors must pass a risk assessment screening before entry, which includes a series of questions related to travel and respiratory symptoms.
As a reminder, any approved visitor and patient must wear a mask over their nose and mouth, and under their chin the entire time while on the premises, and pass a risk assessment screening before entry, which includes a series of questions related to travel and respiratory symptoms. Some patients will be screened with specific questions regarding COVID-19.
Emergency Room:
- Patients being seen in the ED will not be allowed any visitors.
Outpatient:
- Patients seeking outpatient testing will also be asked to come alone.
Anyone who requires assistance is asked to follow the mask mandate. If you are only accompanying a patient who is receiving treatment, we ask that you wait in your car.
While we understand the important role that family members and visitors play in a patient’s healing process, our new policies (which align with many other area hospitals and health systems) aim to balance the needs of patients while maintaining a safe environment for all.
We will continue to monitor this situation. The need for visitor restrictions will be re-evaluated regularly.
COVID-19: What you need to know about vaccination
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fully authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The FDA has given Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to the Moderna and Janssen vaccines.
Where are the other vaccination sites in my area?
We encourage you to be vaccinated at your earliest opportunity. Your county and state Department of Health websites will have more information on vaccination sites and availability, and we encourage you to check these often:
• Philadelphia County DOH
• Montgomery County DOH
• Delaware County DOH
• Chester County DOH
• Bucks County DOH
• Delaware DOH
• New Jersey DOH
Should I get vaccinated?
In order to fight this pandemic, it’s important to use every tool we have to defend ourselves. In addition to masks and social distancing, vaccines work with your immune system to give your body a better chance of fighting off the virus if you do get it. The CDC further explains the importance of COVID-19 vaccination.
What if I am immunocompromised?
Getting vaccinated is a personal decision. If you are immunocompromised or have concerns about receiving the vaccine and its side effects, make an appointment to discuss these concerns with your healthcare provider. The CDC has more information available for people who are immunocompromised on its website.
What if I am pregnant? Do I still get vaccinated?
Pregnant patients may be vaccinated, but it’s important to talk with your provider to help you decide whether vaccination is right for you. Vaccination for diseases such as COVID-19, which has been authorized for use under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), often demonstrates greater benefit than risk. Here is more information on COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The vaccine came out so quickly. Is it safe?
Many people are concerned about the vaccine’s safety because of how quickly it was developed. The scientific and medical community unanimously agreed on the safety of the vaccine and you can read more about the benefits of being vaccinated. The COVID vaccines are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, which do not contain a live virus and cannot infect the vaccinated person. Learn more about mRNA vaccines on the CDC website.
Can I get COVID from the vaccine?
No, you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. The vaccines being produced in the United States contain no live virus. Research continues regarding vaccination and antibody testing. Get the COVID-19 facts from the CDC.
Additional vaccination sites
In Pennsylvania, the best way to follow the rollout of the vaccine is to stay tuned to the Department of Health website which is constantly being updated. You’ll soon find vaccine locations in Pennsylvania, such as pharmacies, doctor’s offices, urgent care centers, and health centers. Currently, there is no specific timeline identified for the general public.
Whom to call with questions
We understand you may have questions about the vaccine, and you may have some concerns as well. We will continue to provide accurate, up-to-date resources and guidance from the State Department of Health as well as the Centers for Disease Control. We also encourage you to talk to your own primary care provider about whether vaccination is appropriate for you. If you have concerns or questions about COVID-19 or are exhibiting respiratory symptoms, please contact your primary care provider.
Additional resources
• Pennsylvania Department of Health
• New Jersey Department of Health
• Delaware Department of Health
Pfizer and Moderna vaccine FAQ and information
Read these facts sheets to get answers to your frequently asked questions about the
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines:
• Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
Please know that:
- We are taking all necessary measures and precautions to protect the safety of our patients and staff.
- We specialize in the care of patients with complex illnesses and have experience with managing and containing novel viruses.
- This is a rapidly evolving situation and we suggest you check out the latest updates on the CDC website as well as the website of your state health department.
- Hospital visitor policies have been updated to reflect national efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. This policy may change at any time due to the rapidly evolving situation.
- Adolescent patients are required to have one parent/guardian with them at all times.
- Disabled or special needs patients – one healthy approved visitor to assist.
- End-of-life patients – will be allowed at the discretion of the care team.
- Hospital entry points will be limited to enable the screening of approved visitors. Approved visitors who show any signs of illness, including mild symptoms, should not visit patients in the hospital or accompany patients to the emergency department.
We will continue to monitor this situation. The need for visitor restrictions will be re-evaluated regularly.
COVID-19 Video:
COVID-19 | Message
Frequently Asked Questions about the Novel Coronavirus
What is our hospital doing to protect patients?
- We are screening patients with symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath and with a history of travel within the past 14 days to communities with widespread or sustained community transmission of the coronavirus.
- If we have a confirmed or potential patient with COVID-19, we will institute standard infectious disease protocols, as well as additional measures, to prevent the potential spread of the virus. All healthcare providers who have contact with the patient will use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
How concerned should I be about the coronavirus?
- As of now, the seasonal flu remains a significant health risk.
- Coronaviruses can cause the common cold and pneumonia. Most people infected with the novel coronavirus have mild cold symptoms. A small fraction of people, however, may require more intensive care. We understand your concern about protecting yourself from respiratory diseases.
- We have launched an online self-checker for the novel coronavirus in the form of a bot nicknamed Robby. Robby walks users through symptoms and then gives recommendations if medical care is needed. Robby is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Click the blue “Start Self-Check Assessment” button to launch the self-checker:
- Keep informed of the risk by checking the situation update on the CDC website.
What can I do to protect myself?
It is understandable to feel uncertain or anxious during a public health crisis, and we need to remember to avoid making assumptions about others’ perceived symptoms or any characteristics of identity. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the novel coronavirus infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
Here are the current CDC recommendations to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:
- Take everyday preventive actions for respiratory infections, such as avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying home when sick, and washing hands often.
- Avoid traveling to places with widespread or sustained community transmission of the coronavirus. A good place for reliable travel information can be found on the CDC’s travel advisory page.
Should I wear a mask?
CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
Where can I learn more?
Concerned patients and family members should talk with their healthcare provider.
You can also find more information about the virus from these websites.
CDC/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (updated daily with advice for public)
Find the latest on the CDC website as well as the website of your state health department.
World Health Organization.
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.