Throughout the COVID-9 pandemic, the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) has adhered to the strictest standards of safety through our Safe Path to Care, which protects our patients and their families, our employees, and our providers. This has enabled our community members to access all the healthcare services that they need – and do so safely. Our Safe Path to Care is stronger today than ever, and our patients are very secure coming to our hospitals and facilities for services.

 

However, as the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 in Oneida County has been steadily increasing this month, MVHS has been examining additional measures it can take to continue to keep our patients, employees and providers safe. One such action is to suspend all visitation in the MVHS hospitals (including ED and inpatient hospital units) and outpatient facilities, effective Saturday, November 14, 2020. This means that Friday, November 13, 2020, will be the last day for the current visitor policy.

 

“We are making this change out of an abundance of caution since the way in which COVID is spreading in our community has changed,” said Dr. Kent Hall, MVHS Chief Physician Executive. “Prior to this, when we saw spikes in the number of COVID-positive individuals, they primarily came from residential facilities. However, today, the majority of those testing positive for COVID-19 are coming from private homes and residences – this indicates that the virus is spreading throughout our community and not just as isolated clusters. Thus, we made the decision to play our part to limit potential spread of the virus in the community by suspending visitation.”

 

Beginning Saturday, November 14, the MVHS visitation policy is as follows:

 

  • No visitors are allowed for patients in inpatient hospital units, with the following exceptions:
  • Patients in the ICU;
  • Patients in labor, delivery, and the remainder of the patients’ admission;
  • Pediatric patients;
  • Patients for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to the care of the patient (medically necessary) including patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and patients with cognitive impairments including dementia;
  • Patients in immediate end-of-life situations; and
  • Patients who are being discharged (visitors will wait in the lobby).
  • Visiting hours for those individuals who meet the exceptions criteria are 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Only one visitor is allowed during this time.
  • No visitors are allowed to accompany a patient into the ED with the following exceptions:
    • Pediatric patients – one parent/guardian may accompany the patient throughout their ED visit;
    • Patients for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to the care of the patient (medically necessary) including patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and patients with cognitive impairments including dementia – one support person may accompany the patient throughout their ED visit except when otherwise directed by medical personnel; and
    • Patients in immediate end-of-life situations – one support person may accompany the patient throughout their ED visit except when otherwise directed by medical personnel.
  • Patients undergoing same day procedures or testing may be accompanied by a support person if it is determined to be medically necessary. That support person/companion may not be present for procedures or testing (with some exceptions) but may rejoin the patient for the discharge process. Special circumstances in the outpatient, procedural and testing areas where a support person may accompany a patient include:
    • Pediatric patients – one parent/guardian may accompany the patient throughout their time at the hospital except when otherwise directed by medical personnel;
    • Patients for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to the care of the patient (medically necessary) including patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and patients with cognitive impairments including dementia – one support person may accompany the patient throughout their visit except when otherwise directed by medical personnel; and
    • Maternity patients undergoing ultrasound testing – a partner may accompany the pregnant woman.
  • Pregnant women will be allowed one labor support person once they are determined to be laboring or when it is time for their scheduled induction or Cesarean section.
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