Patients and Visitors

Effective June 22, 2020

For Upcoming Office-Based Appointments

If you have cold or flu-like symptoms (COVID-19 symptoms are cough, fever and shortness of breath), please consult your doctor by phone before any upcoming appointments.
If you are symptom-free, your appointments will continue as planned.

For Visitors and Caregivers at CHS Facilities

Beginning Monday, June 22, 2020, and following guidance from the New York State Department of Health, Mercy Medical Center will be allowing expanded visitation at its hospital.

General inpatient units: limited to 1 (one) visitor per patient, between 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., per day. This does not include Mother/Baby, NICU, Labor/Delivery, Emergency Department and PACU.
Emergency Department: limited to 1 (one) companion for pediatric patients and for those with special needs, only, per stay.
Same Day Surgery and Procedures: limited to 1 (one) visitor starting at patient arrival and through the intake process. Visitor may rejoin the patient at the discharge process.
3K Unit: Limited to 1 (one) visitor per patient, between 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., per day. A max of 8 patients will be allowed on the unit.
3N Unit: Limited to 1 (one) visitor per patient, between 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., per day.
Visitors will be required to supply their contact information and the hospital will record information provided.
Visitors must undergo symptom and temperature checks upon entering the facility. Visitors will be denied entry if they report significant COVID-19 exposure or symptoms during the prior 14 days or have a temperature equal to or greater than 100.0° Fahrenheit.
Visitors will be advised how to perform meticulous hand hygiene.
All visitors must wear a face mask and other PPE as directed by the staff.
Once in the facility, visitors must remain in patient’s room throughout the visit unless instructed by staff to leave during certain procedures.

There are currently no visitors permitted for COVID-19 patients.

If you have any questions, cal l Patient Relations team (516-705-1319) or your care team. Thank you for observing these important measures to
promote a safe and healing environment for all.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

CHS is still SUSPENDING VISITATION at its skilled nursing facilities (SNF).

CHS will allow exceptions for resident visitation by resident support people, family members and/or legal representatives of patients in imminent end-of-life situations. Exceptions for visitation will be made on a case-by-case-basis by SNF Leadership in conjunction with Infection Prevention Leadership and will follow appropriate CDC guidelines for screening for COVID-19 infection BEFORE entry is allowed (exceptions may include end-of-life or individuals with special needs).

A support person will be permitted at the patient bedside in SNF for:

Residents for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to the care of the patient (medically necessary) including residents with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and residents with cognitive impairments such as dementia.

The support person will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches or diarrhea) and conduct a temperature check (temperature must be below 100.0° Fahrenheit) prior to entering the clinical area and every 12 hours thereafter for the remainder of the person’s presence at the bedside.

According to the guidance, when providing personal protective equipment to a support person, instructions on PPE conservation strategies should be provided to minimize unnecessary waste (i.e., prolonged wearing).

If a support person has confirmed or suspected COVID-19 or presents with or develops symptoms of COVID-19, the individual should leave the facility. In this situation, through informed decision-making the patient and family may choose to select a different support person.

Outpatient/Ambulatory Locations and Physician Practices

Patients will be screened upon entry.
One person is allowed to accompany each patient to an appointment, unless an aide or assistant is required.
Any visitor who is coughing or shows other signs of illness will be asked to leave.

Our highest priority is the health and safety of our patients, employees, and everyone who visits our facilities. We are taking every precaution recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are reviewing and updating our protocols and guidelines constantly.