St. Peter’s Health Partners to offer limited visitation at hospitals
TROY, N.Y. » Effective June 22, St. Peter’s Health Partners (SPHP), in adherence to New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidelines, is offering limited visitation at its hospitals.
The new guidelines are an expansion of SPHP’s No Visitor Policy, implemented in March to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“At SPHP, our patients are at the heart of our mission,” Michael Finegan, president of Acute Care for SPHP stated.
“We understand the separation of patients and their loved ones during this unprecedented time has caused significant stress and anxiety, for both patients and for our colleagues. We remain committed to ensuring a secure environment of care for all, and look forward to welcoming visitors back to our facilities in a responsible, safe manner,” Finegan added.
Visitors who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults and those with underlying medical conditions, are strongly discouraged from visiting at this time.
Likewise, a planned visit to any patient who is at higher risk of acquiring and suffering significant consequences from COVID-19 should be considered a greater risk than benefit to that patient.
The SPHP Visitation Program for Hospitals is aligned and compliant with guidance from the NYSDOH. The DOH or SPHP may adjust visitation policies at any time, based on the prevalence of COVID-19 in a region or county, or for other related reasons.
This change only applies to their hospitals, not their Continuing Care campuses. Visitation Guidelines:
• Patients will be permitted one healthy visitor per day. At Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital, patients are permitted one unique visitor for their entire stay.
• The visitor must be 18 years or older. • All approved visitors will be screened upon entry to the facility and must pass screening to visit.
• Visits will be limited to no more than 4 hours per day, per patient.
• Appropriate placement and wearing of a face mask required at all times while in the facilities.
Visitation Hours:
• Peter’s Hospital & Samaritan Hospital: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week
• Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital: Visitation is by appointment only, between the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling 518-3824500.
Face Coverings and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
• Visitors must wear a face mask. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own face mask, preferably one with no logo or writing. If the visitor does not have a face mask or has a face mask with a logo or writing, the hospital will provide the visitor with a face mask at the entry screening station.
• Visitors must perform meticulous hand hygiene while at the hospital.
• Visitors for patients who are on enhanced droplet and contact precautions will be required to wear a face mask and PPE.
• All visitors must remain in the patient’s room and keep on the required face mask and PPE for the duration of the visit.
• When visitors leave, they must exit directly the way they entered.
• Visitors are not permitted to use the restrooms in the patient rooms or on the patient floors. Visitors are permitted to use the restrooms in the main lobby areas of the hospitals.
• Visitors who fail to agree to this guidance will be asked to leave the hospital
Separate visitation guidelines for the following departments and/or circumstances: • Emergency Department
• Women’s and Children’s Department (including Labor and Delivery)
• Patients receiving end- of-life care • Patients undergoing same- day surgeries or procedures
• Inpatient Behavioral Health
• Inpatient Detox Facilities
• Hospital Outpatient Procedural Areas/ Clinics
Compassionate support person exceptions: In addition to the visitor guidelines identified here, SPHP hospitals will continue to allow a support person to accompany patients in the following limited circumstances:
• Patients in labor and delivery
• Pediatric patients
• Patients with special needs who have an intellectual and/or developmental disability or cognitive impairments (including dementia) where the support person is determined to be essential to be medically necessary based on the special needs of the patient
• Patients receiving end- of-life care “Safety remains paramount for us, and we are committed to providing that safe, quality care we know our patients and communities need,” Steven Hanks, M.D., chief clinical officer for SPHP explained.
Hanks also noted that enhanced safety measures at SPHP include:
• Continued screening and temperature checks for anyone entering SPHP facilities.
• COVID-Free Zones to separate patients confirmed to have COVID-19 from others in SPHP facilities.
• CDC standards for facility deep cleaning with increased frequency and special attention to surfaces that are frequently touched, like doorknobs and flat surfaces.
St. Peter’s Health Partners say it continues to offer safe, accessible care in its emergency departments at St. Peter’s Hospital, Samaritan Hospital, and Samaritan Hospital – Albany Memorial Campus. Telehealth services are also a convenient option for patients.
To make an appointment or to schedule a surgery, procedure, or in-person visit, people are encouraged to visit: https://www.sphp. com/virtualhealth/.