Coronavirus (COVID-19): Maintaining a Safe and Effective Care Environment
A safe and effective care environment is our highest priority and Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) hospitals, in accordance with current NYS DOH requirements have undertaken necessary steps to protect our patients and workforce as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation evolves.
Effective November 16, 2022, visitation at HealthAlliance is as follows:
- Visiting hours are 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- All visitors will be screened for COVID and flu like symptoms upon arrival. Visitors who are sick or who display signs of illness such as coughing, runny nose, etc. will not be permitted to enter the hospital.
- Facemasks will still be required in all patient care areas.
- There will be no limit to the number of visitors throughout the day; however, only two (2) people may visit at a time.
- Pediatric patients, age 22 years and under, are allowed four (4) Designated Support People (DSP). Two (2) DSPs can visit together at any given time, 24 hours per day.
- Labor and delivery patients are allowed two (2) DSPs, including a doula if requested, 24 hours per day, throughout labor, delivery and the postpartum period, including recovery, until discharge to home. The DSP can be the patient’s spouse, partner, sibling, parent, or other persons of their choice.
- Accompaniment to the Emergency Department is allowed. In the event of higher than normal volume we may need to restrict access in the waiting room to patients only.
- All patients undergoing same-day procedures may be accompanied to the facility by two (2) DSPs and those DSPs may remain in a hospital designated waiting area until the patient is discharged.
- Behavioral Health units have visitation guidelines which are provided to patients and families upon admission.
- In compliance with NYS DOH requirements, visitors must be at least 12 years of age and if under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Patients with extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These requests and other related concerns can be directed to Patient Experience at 845.417.4692.
Infection Control
All hospital, state and federal guidelines regarding infection control practices must be followed.
Visitors are required to wear facemasks, as well as any other personal protective equipment deemed necessary by the clinical team, and should wash hands frequently. Visitors who fail to follow these infection control protocols will be asked to leave the facility.
Once in the facility, visitors must limit travel within the hospital to only pathways directly to and from the patient’s room. Visits to locations including the cafeteria and gift shop must be made prior to going to the patient’s room.
Visitors must remain in the patient’s room throughout the visit, except when directed to leave by hospital staff during procedures or circumstances for which visitors are usually asked to leave, or to use the restroom, and must be appropriately distanced from any other patients or staff.
Communication Devices
For patients using personal devices for communication with family and friends: All WMCHealth patients must adhere to policies regarding patient photography and recording or videotaping. Any live video streaming between patients and family/friends must be done with approval by the patient and WMCHealth, be time limited, should not include clinical procedures or staff and should not interfere with WMCHealth clinical treatment or operations. View our complete COVID-19 response, including information on testing, visitation, donations and services. View our complete COVID-19 response, including information on testing, visitation, donations and services.