As our organization monitors the growing spread of the COVID-19 virus domestically and internationally, we remain committed to making science-supported decisions based on the latest information. Because this is a rapidly-evolving situation, you will receive updates each weekday through email and posted on our One Portal Coronavirus page.
Visitor Restrictions (all campuses)
To protect the health of patients, employees and guests, Loma Linda University Health is taking extra precautions to limit visitors within our hospitals and clinics effective immediately. We are amending current visitation policies to restrict the number of visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic to one visitor per patient.
Without exception, a visitor may enter the hospital or clinics only if they do not have symptoms of respiratory infection - including fever, runny nose, cough and shortness of breath. Visitors will not be allowed under any circumstance if they have a pending or positive COVID-19 test. Additionally, no one under the age of 18 will be permitted.
Approved visitors must stay in the patient's room the entire time of the visit. Once the visitor leaves the patient room, they must leave the facility.
Additionally, food delivery services are now no longer allowed to enter any of our hospitals. Employees should plan to bring food from home or utilize the cafeteria.
A plan is in place to deploy additional staff and security to monitor visitors at entrances.
The amount of entrances will be reduced to emergency exit only. If you encounter a visitor or patient who challenges or refuses to adhere to these guidelines, please seek immediate assistance from Security Services at x44320.
Elective surgery & revised clinic operations (main campus only)
As of March 13, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American College of Surgeons and the Surgeon General have urged hospitals and healthcare systems to consider suspending elective surgical procedures and routine in-person clinic visits amid mounting concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
After thoughtful review, Loma Linda University Health has chosen to take further action to ensure the safety of our patients, employees and community. Through this effort, we are working to limit the potential exposure and spread of COVID-19 and prepare for the possible rapid increase in critical patient care needs.
We are taking the following actions effective Tuesday, March 17:
- All elective, non-urgent procedures are being canceled and rescheduled for a later date.
- Many clinic visits are being converted to telephone or video visit encounters — and new visit types are being created for both video and telephone encounters.
- All clinics should begin contacting scheduled appointments for the weeks of March 16 and March 23 to inform them of the changes. Patients will also be notified of these changes via SMS texting, televox, MyChart messaging and phone calls. We are asking that patients be prioritized for a virtual encounter (phone, e-visit or video visit) but recognize some patients and clinics will require more in-person evaluations.
- Loma Linda School of Dentistry is providing limited and emergency coverage only.
- More information will be forthcoming to your respective clinical teams. Additionally, updates to our action plans will be made available at one.lluh.org/coronavirus, which you can access either from campus or off-campus using your ID and password.
Loma Linda University Health currently does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19. We believe preparedness and prudence are the best measures we can take to ensure the health and safety of our patients and employees.
Loma Linda University Health will begin calling patients to cancel or reschedule them immediately.
For Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta, please refer to the email communication that was sent to the campus from Administration.
Revised Employee Screening Guidelines (all employees)
Refer to the employee self-screening guidelines. Employees who come to work are acknowledging that they have read the guidelines and have no reason(s) to stay home. You do not need to call Employee Health to be cleared upon return from travel.
