BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Kaleida Health announced on Wednesday that the health system will suspend patient visitations beginning Friday, November 20th.
The health system says this is in accordance with the New York State Department of Health.
Kaleida Health says there are exceptions, such as medically necessary or in end-of-life or palliative care cases, and does not apply to those seeking treatment.
Here is Kaleida Health's new visitation policy
- No visitors are permitted for inpatients at Kaleida Health’s adult facilities: Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and DeGraff Medical Park, except when deemed medically necessary or in end-of-life compassionate care cases.
- No support persons are permitted in the Emergency Department at Kaleida Health’s adult facilities: Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and DeGraff Medical Park, except when deemed medically necessary.
- A support person may, however, accompany the patient through the initial registration process and unit staff will contact the support person when the patient is ready for discharge.
- In the case of an exception, one support person will be permitted, but must remain in the patient’s treatment room for the entire visit.
- One caregiver/support person is permitted in the Emergency Department at Oishei Children’s Hospital, but they must remain in the patient’s treatment room for the entire visit.
Here is the updated policy for adult, pediatric and maternity outpatient clinics
- One support person may accompany a pediatric or pregnant patient for outpatient clinics visits.
- No more than two patients within a family are permitted at outpatient clinic visits.
- No support persons are permitted for adult outpatient clinic visits except when deemed medically necessary.
- A support person may, however, accompany the patient through the check-in process and clinic staff will contact the support person when the patient is ready for discharge.
- In the case of an exception, one support person will be permitted, but must remain in the patient’s treatment room for the entire visit.
Any other same-day surgery, pediatric, labor & delivery and long-term care visitation guidelines at Kaleida Health's hospitals will remain unchanged.