San Juan Regional Medical Center has adopted a universal mask policy that requires any person coming to the hospital or San Juan Health Partners clinics to wear a mask.

If they do not have a mask, one will be provided for them. If a visitor refuses to wear a mask, they will not be allowed to enter the facility.

Patients coming to the hospital for outpatient procedures and patients coming to clinics for appointments who refuse to wear a mask will be instructed to return to their vehicle and reschedule. The hospital said it must put the collective safety of patients and staff first.

Patients who go to the Emergency Department and refuse to wear a mask will not be denied care. However, it will be assumed that the patient may have COVID-19, and if admitted, they will be placed on a COVID-19 floor where no visitors are allowed.

All patients are encouraged to wear a mask throughout their hospital stay. Failing to wear a mask puts a patient at increased risk of contracting COVID-19.

If a patient has a medical exception to wearing a mask, they will be required to show documentation of such a condition. This documentation will be reviewed at the point of service to determine how to best provide safe care. In some cases, patients may be able to use telemedicine services with a telephone or video appointment in order to protect themselves and their caregivers in absence of a mask.

To learn more about telemedicine visits, visit www.sanjuanregional.com/sjhp.

Any visitors with medical exceptions to wearing a mask will not be allowed into the hospital. In order to provide safe care, it is required that all visitors to abide by the limited visitor policy, which includes wearing a mask. Alternative methods of communication with patients are encouraged.