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 February 28, 2022. This does not apply to those seeking treatment.

ADULT INPATIENT NON-COVID VISITATION

• Visitation will be limited to certain hours for non-COVID patients at Kaleida Health's adult facilities: Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital
• Two (2) support persons are invited to visit non-COVID patients at one time during the following hours:
• Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute general visitation: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute CVICU, ILCU, MICU, NSICU and SICU visitation: 12-6 p.m., 8-9 p.m.
• Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital general and ICU visitation: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
• We may customize visitation based on the patient's condition to ensure proper rest and care. This may include asking visitors to step out or to leave early
• Staff has access to iPads and computer equipment to facilitate remote visitation upon request
• In end-of-life cases, two (2) support persons may visit at any time

ADULT INPATIENT COVID VISITATION

• There will be no routine visitation for COVID patients at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. 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
  • In circumstances deemed medically necessary or in end-of-life or palliative care cases, unit staff will coordinate COVID patient visitation

PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL VISITATION

• To help protect the health and safety of our patients, their families, visitors and our staff, please follow these guidelines:
  Visiting Hours: Well siblings, family and friends are encouraged to visit and parents are considered part of the care team and are welcome to spend the night. Visitors must be over the age of 12 per NYSDOH guidance.
  Identification: For all patients' safety, families, visitors and outpatients are required to stop at the Information or Security desk on the first floor to obtain an identification sticker. Each family member/visitor is asked to provide photo ID. If photo ID is not available, a photo of the visitor will be taken. An identification sticker is then created for the family member/visitor to wear during their visit to the hospital.
  Patient Rights: Each patient/parent has the right to determine who may and may not visit. Kaleida Health will not restrict, limit or deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, socioeconomic status or physical appearance.

• COVID positive patients or patients under investigation for COVID can have two (2) support persons who isolates in the patient's room throughout the hospitalization and will be identified with a green wrist band
• These support persons can come and go from the building but are asked to not congregate in public spaces
• Pediatric inpatients at Oishei Children's Hospital are allowed up to two (2) designated support persons considered part of the care team. A total of four (4) persons are allowed at the bedside at any given time
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients may have up to two (2) "green banded" designated support persons who are parents and/or anticipated discharge guardians (foster parents, adoptive parents, non-parent family members) and up to four (4) additional "red banded" designated support persons, who are not parents/guardians and do not receive HIPAA information. Three (3) persons are allowed at the bedside at any given time in the NICU
• Pediatric patients having a surgical procedure may have two (2) support persons
• Two (2) support persons are allowed with a patient in the Emergency Department, and the support persons are encouraged to remain in the patient's treatment room for the entire visit

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITATION

• For adult patients, one (1) support person may stay with the patient in the waiting room and once they are placed in a room. Support persons may switch out
• 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 support person must return during visiting hours
• For pediatric patients, two (2) support persons are allowed in the Emergency Department, and the support persons are encouraged to remain in the patient's treatment room for their entire visit

SURGICAL PROCEDURE VISITATION

• Adult patients having a same-day procedure may have one (1) designated support person
• Pediatric patients having a surgical procedure may have two (2) support persons

LABOR & DELIVERY VISITATION

• Two (2) designated support persons are permitted with mom on Labor & Delivery and Mother Baby units at Oishei Children's Hospital and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital throughout labor, delivery and postpartum period. Support persons must be 18 years and older at both facilities
• In addition to the two (2) designated support persons, laboring moms are allowed one (1) certified doula as an essential member of their care team throughout labor, delivery and postpartum period
• Cultural considerations will be made upon request

LONG-TERM CARE VISITATION

• Visitation is open at the resident's discretion, however, all visitors are expected to abide by the following standard rules and guidelines
• Visitors are expected to adhere to the "Core Principles of Infection Control" at all times, specifically:
  • Visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine should not enter the facility. The facility will continue to screen all who enter for these visitation exclusions
  • Visitors must be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 at the kiosks in the lobby
  • Visitors must wear a facility-provided surgical-quality mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times during their visit
  • Visitors must perform hand hygiene (use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer is preferred) upon entry and exiting the building and when entering and exiting your loved one's room
  • Visitors are expected to visit in their loved one's room or other designated visitation space
  • Follow instructional signage that is posted throughout the facility
• Visitors must show proof of a negative rapid or PCR COVID-19 test from within 24 hours prior to the visit
• Facilities may ask about a visitor's vaccination status, but visitors are NOT required to be vaccinated

OUTPATIENT CLINIC VISITATION

• For pediatric and maternity clinics, two (2) support persons may accompany a pediatric or pregnant patient
• For adult clinics, one (1) support person may accompany the patient for the entire clinic visit

GENERAL VISITATION GUIDELINES

• Please do not visit if you are ill
• At Oishei Children's Hospital, visitors for pediatric patients must be 12 years of age or older. At all other sites, visitors must be 18 years of age or older. Exceptions may be made by the nurse manager/supervisor
• 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
• 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
• Visitors cannot accompany patients to tests outside of their room