Catholic Health Visitor Guidelines
Updated June 1, 2023.
To protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff, the following visitation guidelines are in effect:
- Up to two visitors per patient will be permitted to visit at a time;
- Visitors must be age 18 and older;
- Visiting hours are for inpatients only from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily;
- All visitors must self-screen for symptoms related to COVID-19 or other transmittable illnesses prior to their arrival and must comply with other infection control protocols;
- Emergency Department and surgical patients continue to be permitted one support person accompany them to the hospital with certain limitations;
- Visitation for patients who are positive for COVID-19 and/or under COVID-19 precautions remains limited due to infection control precautions, but can be permitted for exceptions such as end-of-life care or patients with special needs. Virtual visitation continues to be available when in-person visitation cannot be conducted in a safe manner;
- Visitation is restricted for individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have not completed the current recommended CDC isolation criteria, have reported exposure to or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 during the prior 10 days, have a temperature equal to or greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or are exhibiting symptoms of an illness that could be transferred to patients.
- 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
- Patients may have two designated support persons and a doula or midwife during labor and delivery, and throughout their inpatient hospital stay;
- In the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at Sisters and Mercy hospitals, the baby’s mother and one support person may visit at any time. One additional visitor, accompanied by the baby’s mother or support person, may be permitted to visit at the discretion of the clinical team during normal visiting hours.
CONTACTING A PATIENT IN THE HOSPITAL
If you need to contact a patient 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
Visiting hours and policies are subject to change depending on current public health conditions and regulatory guidance. New York State continues to require masks in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
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.
Updated March 23, 2023.
Skilled Nursing Facilities Visitor Guidelines
Catholic Health Skilled Nursing Facility Visitation Guidelines (PDF)
- Suggested visiting hours are 11 am – 7 pm, however residents may have visitors at any time.
- Visitors are encouraged (but not required) to take a COVID test prior to visiting. Free test kits are available at the facility.
- 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 are discouraged for residents/patients with active or suspected cases of COVID-19 or under a quarantine period.
- Visitors must clean their hands with soap and water or apply hand sanitizer before and after visiting.
- Visitors will be provided with a mask which must be worn in accordance with CDC guidance.
- Visitors are encouraged to practice physical distancing.
- Visitors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
- Visitors must sign in prior to visiting
- Visitors will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
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