The changes follow New York State Department of Health (DOH)
guidance released June 18 that allowed hospitals to adjust the “zero
visitation” policies that took effect statewide in March as COVID-19 cases were
climbing.
The visitor guidelines that go into effect next week enable
some in-person visitation, but continue to limit the number of people on-site
at health facilities.
“It is very good news that we can welcome visitors back,
while maintaining safeguards to help protect everyone from COVID-19,” said
Kevin McCormick, MD, Medical Director at UR|Jones Memorial Hospital. “These new
guidelines recognize the medical and emotional benefits of in-person visits to
patients, as well as the need to maintain vigilance in preventing the spread of
this illness.”
UR|Jones Memorial visitation follows state DOH safety
recommendations, including limiting visit length and the total number of
visitors allowed per patient. Visiting policies/hours may vary among UR
Medicine hospitals and will be posted on each hospital’s website. Patients and
their designated visitors also will receive detailed information at the
hospital.
For UR|Jones Memorial Hospital:
• Hospital
inpatients can have a total of two designated visitors age 18 or older
throughout their stay. Patients designate their visitors upon admission. Only
one of these two can visit per day, for no more than four continuous hours.
Visitation in the ICU will be limited to one hour.
• Visitors
will have a temperature check and be asked screening questions before being
allowed to proceed past the main lobby.
• Visitors
will be provided with appropriate PPE, as well as written information advising
them how to perform hand hygiene and how to properly wear a mask
• Visitors
and patients, if appropriate, will have the risks and benefits of the visitor’s
presence reviewed with them by health care workers
• Patients
who are COVID positive or suspected of having COVID will not be allowed
visitors.
• Visiting
hours are between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Visitors
are not allowed in the Emergency Department; support people must wait in their
vehicles or offsite while ED patients are being evaluated
• Visitors
will not be allowed in the Ambulatory Surgery area or Operating Room. Support
people must wait in their vehicles or offsite until patients are ready for
discharge
• Support
people will not be allowed during office practice visits.
• Support
people that are deemed essential to care for patients with intellectual and/or
developmental disabilities, and patients with cognitive impairments including
dementia, one support person may be identified and present with no time
limitations
• Exceptions
will be made for obstetric and pediatric patients as well as for patients at
end of life.
“We appreciate the understanding of patients and families as
we have adjusted our operating procedures to protect against the spread of
COVID-19,” said Eva Benedict, CEO at Jones. “We ask for their continued
cooperation as we balance the need for safety and our goal to allow family and
friends to visit patients in our hospitals.”
Updates will be posted to the hospital website and Facebook
page.
