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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 November 29, 2023. This does not apply to those seeking treatment.

ADULT INPATIENT VISITATION

  • Visitation will be limited to certain hours for all 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 patients at one time during the following hours:
    • Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute general visitation: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
    • Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute CVICU, ILCU, MICU, NSICU and SICU visitation: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. No visitation from 7-10 a.m. or 7-8 p.m.
    • Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital general visitation: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
    • Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital ICU visitation: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-10 p.m. No visitation from 7-8 a.m. and 6:30-7:30 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-19 VISITATION

  • Patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 may have visitors consistent with the visitation hours listed above. Visitors must adhere to infection control practices while visiting.

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 age 5-14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • Children under the age of five (5) are permitted on nursing units following approval from the nurse manager or designee.

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.

  • Pediatric inpatients at Oishei Children’s Hospital are allowed up to four (4) persons at the bedside at any given time.
      • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients may have up to two (2) “green banded” 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” 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.
  • Two (2) support persons may accompany a pediatric or maternity patient at all specialty clinics.
  • Two (2) 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) 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.
  • Please do not visit if you are ill.
  • Please do not visit if you are under quarantine.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITATION

  • Buffalo General Medical Center Gates Vascular Institute: Two (2) support persons may stay with the patient in the waiting room and once they are placed in a room. Support persons may switch out
  • Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital: Two (2) support persons may stay with the patient in the waiting room and once they are placed in a room. Support persons may switch out
  • DeGraff Medical Park: Two (2) support persons may stay with the patient in the waiting room and once they are placed in a room. Support persons may switch out
  • Oishei Children’s Hospital: 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) 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) 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
    • Visitors must perform hand hygiene (use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer is preferred) when entering and exiting your loved one's room;
    • Follow instructional signage that is posted throughout the facility; and
    • While the county transmission rate is below “High,” visitors may choose to visit unmasked. The current county transmission rate will be visible near the screening kiosk

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
  • The use of face masks is optional in all facilities
  • Visitors at the adult hospitals must be 12 years of age or older. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
  • Approved visitors will receive a pass from Information Desk personnel. The visitor will need to verify identity via a valid governmental issued identification card or have their photograph taken and provide information similar to a driver’s license. Visitor pass 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


WASH YOUR HANDS OR USE ALCOHOL-BASED HAND SANITIZER FREQUENTLY, ESPECIALLY BEFORE AND AFTER ENTERING A PATIENT’S ROOM.