Catholic Health Visitor Guidelines

Hospital Visitor Guidelines

Updated March 18, 2022.

Catholic Health will resume limited visitation for non-COVID patients beginning on February 11, 2022.  Non-COVID patients in Catholic Health hospitals will be limited to one visitor at a time during reduced hours.   

To protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff, the following visitation guidelines are in effect:

  • All visitors must complete and bring a copy of the Catholic Health Visitor Form;
  • Only one visitor per patient will be permitted to visit at a time;
  • Visitors must be age 18 and older;
  • Visiting hours are for inpatients only from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m daily;
  • All visitors will be required to complete a health screening (questions and temperature check), wear a face mask at all times, clean their hands with soap/water/hand sanitizer before entering and after leaving a patient room, and practice social distancing throughout the visit;
  • Emergency department patients may be accompanied by a visitor in the treatment room for a designated period of time based on the care team’s judgement;
  • Visitation is not permitted for COVID patients, subject to end-of-life exceptions. Virtual visits are available for patients diagnosed with COVID-19;
  • Individuals are not permitted visitation if they have an active COVID-19 diagnosis; are under investigation for COVID-19; have been in contact with a person actively infected with COVID-19 within 10 days; are currently exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms; or are otherwise under quarantine for any reasons relating to New York State COVID-related advisories;
  • Exceptions may be made to these guidelines for extenuating circumstances, such end-of-life visits or for patients with special needs (children, disabled individuals, or those with cognitive impairments).

MATERNITY VISITOR GUIDELINES

Maternity patients will be allowed to have one support person during their hospital stay in addition to a doula, if requested, but no additional visitors will be permitted in labor and delivery at this time. After the baby is born, 1 additional visitor may visit on the Mother Baby Unit during regular visiting hours.

CONTACTING A PATIENT IN THE HOSPITAL
We understand that it may be difficult to have limited visitation and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. These limitations are in place to help protect the health and well-being of our patients are care staff while COVID-19 is still present in our community.  If you have loved one in the hospital and cannot visit, you can be connected to their room phone by calling

  • Kenmore Mercy Hospital – (716) 447-6100
  • Mercy Hospital of Buffalo – (716) 826-7000
  • Mount St. Mary’s Hospital – (716) 297-4800
  • Sisters of Charity Hospital – (716) 862-1000
  • St. Joseph Campus – (716) 891-2400

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please let a member of our care team know if you have any additional questions. These guidelines are in place for everyone’s safety.

We reserve the right to alter them or make exceptions at the discretion of our care team. Visitors who do not comply, will be asked to leave.

Visitors will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

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Skilled Nursing Facilities Visitor Guidelines

Visits are currently available at Father Baker Manor, Mercy Nursing Facility at OLV, McAuley Residence, St. Francis Park, and St. Catherine Labouré Health Care Center.

Skilled Nursing Facilities Visitor Guidelines

Catholic Health Skilled Nursing Facility Visitation Guidelines (PDF)

  • General visiting hours are from 11 am 7 pm.
  • Facilities may limit the number of visitors in the building at any given time in order to ensure safe social distancing and infection control practices.
  • You may NOT visit if you have had COVID-19 exposure or symptoms in the past 14 days. Individuals with temperatures 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater are not permitted to visit.
  • Visitors must provide proof of a negative antigen covid test taken no more than one day prior to the visit or proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than two days prior to the visit.
  • Visitors must clean their hands with soap and water or apply hand sanitizer before and after visiting.
  • Visitors will be provided with a mask and a screening sticker. Both must be worn at all times.
  • Visitors must practice social distancing (at least 6 feet apart) at all times.
  • Visitors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
  • Visitors must remain in designated visitor areas at all times.
  • Visitors are not permitted to bring in food, beverages or other personal items for residents as part of their visit. Visitors must provide their name and contact information each time they visit.

A detailed visitor policy is available at each site. Please let a member of our care team know if you have any additional questions.

These guidelines are in place for everyone’s safety. We reserve the right to alter them or make exceptions at the discretion of our care team. Visitors who do not comply, will be asked to leave

Visitors will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.