Kaleida Health Visitation Policy

In an effort to protect our patients, families, visitors and staff against the spread of infection, and in accordance with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidance, Kaleida Health has implemented the following visitation policy at all sites, effective April 1, 2021. This does not apply to those seeking treatment.

ADULT INPATIENT VISITATION

• Visitation will be limited to certain hours in the non-COVID medical/surgical units at Kaleida Health's adult facilities: Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital
• Two (2) designated support persons are the only persons welcome to visit daily for the duration of a patient's stay in non-COVID units at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital during the following hours:
  • Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute:
    • 16N/S, 15N/S, 14N/S, 13N/S, VIS: 5:30-7 p.m.
    • 12N/S, 10N/S, 9S, 8N, 4N: 4-5:30 p.m.
    • ICUs: 4:30-6 p.m.
• Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital:
  • 3rd floor (3 East and 3 West): 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • 2nd floor (2 Southeast, 2 Southwest): 2-6 p.m.
  • 2nd floor (2 East, 2 North): 12-4 p.m.
  • ICU: 4:30-6 p.m.
• In end-of-life cases, two (2) support persons are allowed in non-COVID units
• No support persons are allowed in adult COVID units with compassionate exceptions for end of life where two (2) support persons are allowed
  • In circumstances deemed medically necessary or in end-of-life or palliative care cases, unit staff will coordinate COVID unit visitation, which can be outside of visitation hours
• Loved ones can be contacted over the phone or through a scheduled video call. The patient's care team can help set up the video call

PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL VISITATION

• Pediatric inpatients at Oishei Children's Hospital are allowed two (2) designated support persons
• Pediatric patients having a surgical procedure may have two (2) designated support persons
• Two (2) support persons are allowed with a patient in the Emergency Department, and the support persons must remain in the patient's treatment room for the entire visit

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITATION

• For adult patients, one (1) support person is allowed in the Emergency Department, and the support person must remain in the patient's treatment room for their entire visit
  • For adult patients who are admitted to the hospital, support persons may accompany the patient to their room during that unit's visiting hours. If they are admitted outside of visiting hours, the designated support person must return during visiting hours
• For pediatric patients, two (2) support persons are allowed in the Emergency Department, and the support persons must remain in the patient's treatment room for their entire visit

SURGICAL PROCEDURE VISITATION

• Adult patients having a same-day procedure at Buffalo General Medical Center may have one (1) designated support person through the initial intake process and can rejoin the patient at discharge
• All other adult patients having a same-day procedure may have one (1) designated support person who must remain in a designated waiting area or in the patient’s room (if it is a private room) until the patient is discharged
• Pediatric patients having a surgical procedure may have two (2) designated support persons

LABOR & DELIVERY VISITATION

• Two (2) designated support persons are permitted with mom on Labor & Delivery units at Oishei Children's Hospital and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital throughout labor, delivery and postpartum period
  • In addition to the two (2) designated support persons, laboring moms are allowed one (1) doula as an
    essential member of their care team throughout labor, delivery and postpartum period

LONG-TERM CARE VISITATION

• Adhering to NYSDOH guidance, "When a new case of COVID-19 among residents or staff is identified, nursing homes should immediately begin outbreak testing and suspend all visitation (except that required under federal disability rights law), until at least one round of facility-wide testing is completed." (NYSDOH March 25, 2021 Health Advisory)
• When HighPointe on Michigan meets NYSDOH guidelines, visitation will occur:
  • Sunday, Monday, Friday, Saturday: 10 a.m-4 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Please call 716-748-3224 to schedule your visit
• When DeGraff Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Facility meets NYSDOH guidelines, visitation will occur:
  • Monday-Friday: 2:15-2:45 p.m.; 3-3:30 p.m.
  • Please call 716-690-2078 to schedule your visit
• All long-term care visitors will no longer require a COVID-19 swab result
• Visits will take place in the lobby; In-room visits will be allowed for certain residents based on medical condition and will follow the same schedule as the lobby visits
• Visitors will have to go through the screening process upon arrival and be required to wear a mask throughout their visit
• In end-of-life or palliative care circumstances, families and loved ones will be required to contact the nursing unit directly to arrange for visitation

OUTPATIENT CLINIC VISITATION

• For pediatric and maternity clinics, two (2) support persons may accompany a pediatric or pregnant patient
• For pediatric clinics, no more than two (2) patients within a family are allowed per appointment
• For adult clinics, if a support person is needed with a patient, the support person can assist with check in and provide a phone number for clinic staff to call when the patient is ready for discharge
  • For adult clinics, if deemed medically necessary, one (1) support person may accompany the patient for
    the entire clinic visit

GENERAL VISITATION GUIDELINES

• Please do not visit if you are ill.
• All visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
• Visitors will be provided with a face mask upon entry to the facility and must wear the mask at all times while inside the facility
  • Masks should only be removed to eat or drink.
  • If a visitor refuses to wear a mask, they will be asked to leave the facility
• Approved visitors will receive a pass, which must be worn prominently at all times
• Visitors should self-screen for contagious diseases before arriving at a Kaleida Health facility and before accessing patient care areas
• If you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or have had symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 14 days, please do not visit the hospita
• All visitors are required to comply with our screening checkpoint procedures. If you are unable to comply, you will not be permitted an in-person visit in the hospital
• Visitors must stay in the patient's room, or designated area identified by staff, unless directed by staff to leave the room during a procedure
• Visitors cannot accompany patients to tests outside of their room