Catholic Health Visitor Guidelines
Updated March 18, 2022.
Catholic Health is expanding its hospital visiting hours beginning Monday, September 26. For more information click here.
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
Patients may have one designated support person and one additional support person of their choosing (doula or non-doula support person) at their discretion, for a total of 2 persons. These support persons will remain the same throughout the duration of the L&D stay. Both support persons should remain asymptomatic throughout their stay.
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.
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.
- All visitors are required to provide proof of a negative COVID test prior to entering the facility. Test kits are available at the main entrance at no cost.
- 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 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. All visitors age 2 and older must provide proof of a negative COVID test.
- Visitors must remain in designated visitor areas at all times.
- Visitors must sign in and answer screening questions prior to visiting.
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.