Dear Family Members:

We want to provide you with an update on the situation at Whittier Hospital Pediatric Subacute regarding visitation. The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority. We have worked diligently to prevent infection from COVID-19 within the Pediatric Subacute. Since March of 2020, we have had Zero residents with confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The California Department of Public Health has issued detailed guidelines regarding visitation for units such as the Pediatric Subacute. Whittier Hospital Pediatric Subacute may restrict visitation due to COVID-19 county positivity rates and Tier level, the unit’s COVID-19 status, staffing issues, the residents COVID-19 status, visitor’s symptoms, lack of adherence to infection control protocols and factors relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. This being said, we are happy to announce that we will slowly open the unit for outdoor and indoor visitation on April 12, 2021.

Any visitor entering the unit must adhere to the core principles and best practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission regardless of the visitor or resident vaccination status:

1. Visitation will be scheduled in advance, a minimum of 24 hours prior to the visit with the Clinical Manager at 562-907-1770 or Child Life Specialist, Christina Lui at 562-907-1726.
2. The number of visitors for outdoor visitation is 2-3 people and one (1) person for indoor visitation.
3. Minors under the age of 18 years old will not be permitted at this time.
4. Visitors will be screened for fever and symptoms prior to entering the hospital.
5. Visitors will be required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment as instructed by staff.
6. Visitors will be required to follow hand hygiene protocols.
7. Visitors will be instructed by the staff on the visitation protocol.
8. Social distancing will be enforced for all visitations with some exceptions.
9. Visitation will be restricted when the county is in Tier (1) purple with some exceptions.
10. Visitors will not be allowed to wander the unit or visit with other residents or staff.
11. Visitation will be limited to 30 minutes to 1 hour or as tolerated by the resident.
12. Visitors may be required to present a negative COVID-19 test with results less than 2 days prior to the visit dependent upon the visitors and residents vaccination status. (Depending on County Positivity Rate and Tier Status)

Sincerely,

Reinali Zabalerio

Director of Pediatric Subacute

Whittier Hospital Medical Center