Cayuga Health issues patient-safety measures to combat COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations

ITHACA, N.Y. — Cayuga Health has issued new protocols for those seeking to visit or obtain medical procedures at its facilities.

The measures are “in response to an increase of COVID-19 cases, increased COVID-19 related hospitalizations, and recent exposures in the region,” per a Cayuga Health news release.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 23, Cayuga Health will now require mandatory COVID-19 testing for all patients — including those fully vaccinated — prior to any procedures such as all surgery, endoscopy, and invasive-radiological procedures.

In addition, as of Thursday (Aug. 19), Cayuga Health is changing its visitation policy at Cayuga Medical Center to two visitors and one support person per day.

Cayuga Medical Center also says its visiting hours have also changed — now scheduled between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Visitor guidelines

Those visiting should be following certain COVID 19 guidelines.

Everyone entering the hospital or off-site location will be temperature checked (must be below 100 degrees) and screened for symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever, etc.) or potential exposure to someone with COVID-19.

Failing, or not participating in the screening requirement, will preclude the visitor/support person from entering the hospital.

Patients undergoing same-day procedures may be accompanied to the facility by a support person and that person may remain with the patient through the initial intake process and may rejoin the patient during the discharge process.

All visitors will be required to wear a mask for the entirety of their visit. Visitors who fail to wear a hospital-issued mask and other personal protective equipment will not be allowed in the facility.

Testing protocol

Testing for pre-scheduled, non-emergency procedures needs to be done within five business days of a scheduled procedure or with a rapid test for emergency care. The testing will apply to all Cayuga Health locations in Cortland, Tompkins, and Schuyler counties offering the procedures such as all surgery, endoscopy, and invasive-radiological procedures.

The Cayuga Health COVID-testing center remains open at The Shops at Ithaca Mall, located at 40 Catherwood Road. Regular hours for pre-scheduled drive-through testing will remain the same: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.