Getting Care

USNH Okinawa Visitor Guidelines

As of 30 September 2021, inpatient visitations to USNH Okinawa will require access restrictions supported by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations and U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) directives:
-Only TWO visitors who are identified by the patient(s) will be allowed in to visit. No one under the age of 18 will be authorized to visit patient(s).
-Exceptions to this policy include: two official command visitors identified by name will be allowed, for command visits.
-USNHO will provide instruction, before visitors enter patients' rooms, on hand hygiene, limiting surfaces touched, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) while in the patient's room.
-Also at this time we will support one (1) person (over the age of 18) for Obstetrics patient with a scheduled non-emergent Cesarean delivery.
-Doulas are considered as one of the designated personnel.
-Parent(s) may visit children at any time. A parent or parent-appointed adult should remain with the child at all times whenever possible to support patient safety as well as support parent-child relationships. Children under the age of 6 must NOT be left without a parent or parent-appointed adult for an extended period of time.
-When the patient's condition warrants the termination of visitation, the visitors will be requested to leave and come back at a more suitable time.
-Sick List (SL)/Very Sick List (VSL) patients may have two visitors at any time, but will be limited to immediate family or significant other and only one at a time.
-If any specialized treatment or procedure is required during visitation, visitors will be asked to leave the area until the treatment or procedure has been completed. The nursing staff will inform the family member when visiting hours may be resumed.
-Investigative agents, military and Japanese police, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCJS), Criminal Investigative Division (CID), and Office of Special Investigation (OSI) staff must be cleared by administrative staff and the Shift Charge Nurse prior to the agent's arrival on the unit. During regular working hours, access can be granted through the Head, Patient Administration Department. After regular working hours, the Officer of the Day will coordinate necessary clearance and access.
 

Visiting Host Nation Hospitals

When visiting patients at a host nation hospital, please adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Before you visit a patient in any room, always check in the nursing station on the nursing unit. or if visiting a closed unit, use the phone outside the unit and request permission from the nursing staff to visit the patient.  Some hospitals limit the number of visitors.  Please ask how many visitors are allowed before visiting a patient.
  • Be aware of the host nation hospital's visiting hours and only visit during these hours.  Visiting hours may vary by hospital and/or type of nursing unit (e.g., medical, surgical, intensive care, etc.).
  • Do not wear any military uniform while in a host-nation hospital or when visiting a patient, unless you are there under emergency circumstances.  This is a long-standing policy of most host-nation hospitals in Okinawa.
  • Most hospitals allow family and friends to bring food into the hospital.  Check with the patient and/or nursing staff first as the patient may have a prescribed diet.  If food is brought in by family or friends, utensils for food need to be brought in as well.
  • While visiting a host nation hospital, turn phone to silent mode to utilize email or texting.  Limit use of cell phones and do not speak on the phone when patients are resting.  Always use discretion while in the hospital and keep voices low.
  • As a patient, if attending an outpatient clinic, or admitted to an inpatient unit, always call the Referral management Office at Naval Hospital Okinawa for the latest guidance.
  • When visiting any host nation hospital, remember you are there as a representative of the United States of America. Please remain courteous and respectful of other patients and staff while you are in their facility.
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