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Visitors

Eden Medical Center acknowledges the special role that families and friends play in ensuring the health and well being of our patients. We want your visit to be safe and comfortable. This guide outlines some visitor guidelines and services. If you need further information or assistance, please ask any staff member.

Notice of Patient's Visitation Rights

Eden Medical Center encourages and facilitates visitation in a manner that promotes healing, balances the needs of all patients and visitors, and creates a safe and secure environment. In fulfilling this purpose, Eden Medical Center recognizes the right of all patients to choose who may visit them. Visitors of choice may include spouses, domestic partners (including same-sex domestic partners), family members, friends or other individuals regardless of formal relationship status, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. Patients may withdraw or deny consent to receive specific visitors, either verbally or in writing.

There are times when clinically necessary or reasonable restrictions on visitation may be required. The following are examples of some of these times, however, this is not considered an all-inclusive list:

infection control issues
visitation may interfere with the care of other patients
the hospital is aware that there is an existing court order restricting contact
visitors engage in disruptive, unsafe, threatening or violent behavior of any kind
the patient needs rest or privacy
the patient is undergoing care interventions; however, if possible, the patient's request that at least one visitor be allowed to remain in the room to provide support and comfort will be accommodated.

Reasons for visitation restrictions, when required, will be clearly communicated to patients and support persons by hospital caregivers. Patients or their representatives may file a grievance with hospital administration if they believe their visitation rights have been violated.

Visitors who are ill (sneezing, coughing, fever, sore throat, runny nose, etc.) should NOT visit the hospital.
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Visiting Hours and Overnight Stays

At Eden Medical Center, visitors are welcome 24 hours a day. However, from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. is the hospital's quiet time. This means we ask every one to put cell phones on vibrate and keep voices low. Some of our waiting areas are also closed during this time.

Our private patient rooms can accommodate one overnight visitor. Visitors who want to spend the night must check in with the Security Desk by 10:00 p.m. to get an overnight pass. SLEEPING IS NOT ALLOWED IN WAITING AREAS AND LOBBIES. Having a loved one in the hospital can be stressful. Remember to take care of yourself and go home to rest.

If visitors do stay on the unit overnight, please put cell phones on quiet mode and TV volume on low. Please notify the charge nurse if you need a pillow and blankets. We do not permit minors to stay overnight.

Visiting the Intensive Care Unit
The visiting hours in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) vary due to the health status of the patient. In general, visiting hours are allowed at the discretion of the patient’s nurse.

Please read and follow the specific visitors guidelines for patients in the ICU. This information is given to the patient or family member when the patient is admitted to the unit. If you need a copy, please ask the nurse.

Flowers, plants and food (i.e., fruit baskets) are not allowed in the ICU.

In general, children under the age of 12 are restricted from the ICU. However, there are circumstances where young children are allowed--please communicate with the nurse manager to make sure a visit is both safe and appropriate.
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Number of Visitors

Limiting the number of visitors in a room may be necessary due to space and patient access issues.

When limitations are necessary, the patient or their representative will be consulted. Due to the vulnerability and special security risks associated with newborns, additional restrictions and security measures, which may limit visitor access, are in effect.

Visiting children must be supervised by a responsible adult, other than the patient, at all times.

One one visitor may stay overnight in patient rooms.
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Children

All children who visit the hospital must be accompanied by an adult, other than the patient, at all times. For the safety of the children and others, children cannot wait unattended in hallways, waiting rooms or be left alone with the patient.

If a child has a cough or cold, it is best not to have him or her visit a patient in the hospital because the patient may not be able to fight off a virus. If a child must accompany an adult, please ask the nurse for a mask for the child. It is also best to wash their hands before and after visiting.

For patients in the Intensive Care Unit, please consult with the nurse manager BEFORE bringing children to the ICU to make sure that the visit is safe and appropriate. Please read and follow the specific visitors guidelines for patients in the ICU. This information is given to the patient or family member when the patient is admitted to the unit. If you need a copy, please ask the nurse.
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Visitor Services

Automated Teller Machine
An ATM is located on the Lower Level, across from the public elevators in the Vending Room.

The Chapel
The Chapel is open 24 hours a day and is located on the first floor near the main lobby.

Dining Services
The Cafe is located on the lower level and offers a wide variety of food and beverage choices. Selections include a grill, pizza oven, salad bar, sandwiches, snacks and "grab and go" selections. The Cafe is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. There is also a 24-hour vending machine room located across from the Cafe. Take advantage of the beautiful East Bay weather and enjoy your meal or just relax in the outdoor dining patio just outside the Cafe.

Disabled Access
Restrooms are accessible to persons with disabilities. TTY telephones are also available. Other services and assistive devices are available to our patients upon request. Please contact us by calling 510-537-1234 and ask for Eden's ADA Director.

Exposure to Chemicals
Proposition 65 requires health care facilities in California to notify patrons about the presence of chemicals that are known to cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm. For more information, please visit oehha.ca.gov/prop65.html.

Flowers and Balloons
Flowers, plants and balloons are not allowed in the Intensive Care Unit. For all other units, balloons should be made of mylar in consideration of patients and staff who may be allergic to latex.

Gardens
The outdoor spaces around the hospital include gardens where patients and visitors are invited to sit and relax among the lush plants and flowers.

Gift Shop
The hospital Gift Shop is open Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weekends from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and is located on the first floor in the main lobby. Visitors can purchase flowers, gift items, cards, magazines, snacks and sundries. The Gift Shop is operated by the Eden Medical Center Auxiliary.

Hand and Respiratory Hygiene
Hand hygiene is the best defense against the spread of infections. To help protect our patients from infection, all visitors should clean their hands before and after visiting. Hand sanitizer is provided throughout the medical center. Individuals who are ill or have an infection should NOT visit patients in the hospital. To prevent respiratory infections we encourage covering the nose and mouth with a tissue to sneeze or cough, dispose of the tissue in the wastebasket, then wash your hands. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.

Lost and Found
If you have lost or found an item, please call the main hospital number at 510-537-1234 and ask for the Security Desk. Items will be held by Eden for 90 days. A valid ID is required to collect lost items.

Mobile Phones
Mobile phone use is restricted in some areas of the hospital. Please be aware of posted signs or ask a staff member. For the comfort of all our patients, please do not use cell phones in the hallway near patient rooms.

Quiet Time
At Eden, our goal is to create a restful environment for our patients that encourages healing, recovery and sleep. Quiet Time at the hospital is from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. every night. During this time, please:

Put cell phones on vibrate and take all calls outside of patient care areas
Keep lights at a minimum
Turn off televisions and keep voices low

Restaurants and Accommodations
There are a variety of restaurants and motels/hotels in Castro Valley--some within walking distance from the hospital. For a list of restaurants or accommodations, please inquire at the Information Desk in the main lobby on the first floor.

Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free Campus
Eden is a tobacco-free campus. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on hospital property, Eden-owned buildings, all entrances and parking lots, including private vehicles parked on any of our campuses. Hospitals are a vital and central part of a healthy community. By implementing a smoke-free and tobacco-free environment, we send a clear message of our commitment to create and sustain healthy communities.

Wireless Internet Access
Eden Medical Center provides free wireless Internet service to patients and visitors from their personal laptop computers or smart phones. Laptops configured with internal wireless capabilities automatically search for available networks. Eden's free WiFi network is named SHGuestNet. No password is needed to connect to that network; however, you must agree to the terms of usage.

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Release of Information

Family, friends and neighbors often call or inquire about the status of a patient while in the hospital. Federal and state laws are very strict about the release of information. To protect the privacy and security of our patients, we do not provide detailed information over the phone or in person without specific authorization from the patient or the patient's guardian. In general, if the patient agrees, we can release a simple description of the patient's health status, such as Good, Fair, Serious or Critical.

Some patients request "No Information" status, meaning that we cannot release any information to anyone or even confirm that the patient is in the hospital. In such a case, we must honor the patient's request at all times.

Patients may want to designate a family member as a contact or liaison for all inquiries about the patient. This allows friends and loved ones to stay informed and provide assistance if needed.

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