MVHS sets policies for allowing visitors again

UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) is again allowing its patients to have visitors.

MVHS said it made the decision “now that the curve has been flattened, [and] the State of New York has provided updated guidance for hospitals regarding visitation,” per a news release.

The organization released a number of requirements for its hospital visitors to keep them “safe by following recommendations to ensure the health and well-being of our patients.”

MVHS visitor guidelines

MVHS says its visiting hours for inpatient hospital units are from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. All visitors must be older than 18 years of age except for previously documented exceptions.

Each visit is limited to one person at a time for a maximum of four hours per day. Only two visitors, in total, are permitted during the four hours of visitation per day.

MVHS will screen visitors with a temperature check and questions about symptoms. The organization will deny visitors 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 degrees Fahrenheit.

 MVHS will give visitors a mask to wear for their entire visit and will be instructed in appropriate hand hygiene. For the protection of our patients and employees, visitors will be asked to leave the facility if they fail to or refuse to wear a mask.

Visitors must maintain social distancing of six feet even in the patient room, and visitor must remain in the patient room unless otherwise directed by the clinical staff.

The hospital cafeterias remain open only to employees, MVHS noted.

As of now, MVHS won’t be expanding visitation to patients who tested positive for COVID-19 or are persons under investigation for COVID-19, “given limited supplies of PPE,” unless there are special circumstances as defined by the New York State Department of Health in its earlier guidance. This includes patients in labor, delivery, and the remainder of the patients’ admission; pediatric patients; and patients for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to the care of the patient (medically necessary) including patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and patients with cognitive impairments including dementia; and patients in immediate end-of-life situations.

MVHS also says that, during this phase one of visitation, a no-visitor policy remains in effect for the behavioral health units at the MVHS hospitals.

The organization will also give all visitors a one-page hand out that details visitor guidelines, provides information on safety measures such as hand hygiene, wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, and contact information for questions.