HORNELL - St. James Hospital is limiting the number of visitors for outpatient services and appointments at the Medical Office Building and the Hospital. This includes visits to the emergency department, imaging department, primary care, specialty clinic, ambulatory surgery, stress testing, cardiac rehab, coumadin clinic, physical therapy, orthopaedics, podiatry, lab, and urgent care.
This is in response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the greater Hornell area and the start of flu season.
“We are taking all precautions to protect staff and patients from exposure to this infectious disease,” said Bryan O’Donovan, president and CEO. “If it’s safe for the patient, we are asking family members and drivers to drop the patient off in front of the buildings and wait in their vehicle.”
Patients who need help or have special circumstances are excluded from the request.
“Any patient who needs extra assistance is welcome to be escorted by a visitor,” said O’Donovan. “All we ask is for people to use discretion and if they can, to arrange to drop off and pick up patients at the front entrance.”
For added safety, everyone entering the Medical Office Building and Hospital has to answer a series of screening questions and is required to wear a mask and sanitize their hands upon entering the building and throughout their visit.
“By continuing to follow these precautions, we will minimize
the spread of illness to our staff and patients,” said O’Donovan. “We sincerely appreciate the community’s support
as we work together to stay safe during these challenging times.”
