BUFFALO, N.Y. — Many Western New York hospitals are taking extra precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus. The hospitals say these changes are being made to better protect its patients, staff and visitors.
Erie County Medical Center
ECMC says its suspending all visitation, effective immediately. ECMC has also suspended all elective surgeries in order to conserve equipment, blood and other resources as of Thursday night.
ECMC released a statement on Wednesday saying all visitation is suspended except for situations deemed medically necessary, or for family members or legal representatives of patients in imminent end-of-life situations.
The hospital says those visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, or fever) or potential exposure to someone with the novel coronavirus.
ECMC says the duration and number of visits will also be minimized.
In the meantime, ECMC is telling patients to communicate with their families and loved ones via telephone or through FaceTime. ECMC says it will assist patients with technology who do not have personal devices.
The hospital says this restriction is being implemented in an effort to protect its vulnerable patients and staff from exposure to infection.
ECMC says families and friends of patients can call the following numbers to ask questions about this patient visitation restriction.
- Critical care/emergency room: (716) 821-2788
- Medical surgical/all other: (716) 821-2762
- Behavioral health (inpatient & outpatient): (716) 341-7082
Catholic Health
Catholic Health announced Monday that it is suspending all hospital visitation. However, exceptions will be made for patients receiving end of life care or those who have had a change in their health status.
Exceptions will also be made for fathers, spouses and life partners of maternity patients.
Catholic Health says one visitor will be allowed per patient, and all visitors will have to submit to a verbal health screening and temperature scan.
All associates through Catholic Health will also have to submit to a verbal health screening and temperature scan before entering a Catholic Health building. Associates may also be asked to work from home.
And beginning Wednesday, Catholic Health is cancelling all elective surgeries, unless they are deemed medically urgent by a patient's medical provider.
Buffalo VA Medical Center
The Buffalo VA Medical Center is suspending all visitation until further notice. This goes into effect Tuesday at 6 a.m.
The VA says veterans who have scheduled appointments, or are in need of emergency department care, should keep them
Anyone in need for a walk-in clinic appointment should contact the clinic ahead of coming in.
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
The Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center suspended all patient visitation on Wednesday.
The hospital says exceptions will be made if the visit is medically necessary — if the visitor is essential to the care of the patient — or if the visit involves family members or legal representatives of patients in imminent end of life situations. In addition, maternity patients are limited to one visitor in the labor and delivery unit.
Memorial added that it's currently not allowing children under the age of 14 years old to enter any of its facilities. This includes the hospital, primary care and other outpatient sites.
Memorial President & CEO Joseph A. Ruffolo says no visitors are allowed at the Schoellkopf Nursing Home, which is located adjacent to the main hospital building.
“Our management team is reviewing on a daily basis the resources, both personnel and supplies, needed to provide patient care. We are closely monitoring the current and projected availability of those resources," Ruffolo said. “All decisions regarding services will be made with patient safety as our top priority.”
Ruffolo says the hospital is taking all available precautionary measures. This includes conducting temperature screening for all people accessing the hospital's facilities, as well as checking the temperatures of employees several times during the day.
Ruffolo added that despite having a positive case of COVID-19 in the hospital, patients should feel safe and comfortable coming to Niagara Falls Memorial for care.
Kaleida Health
Kaleida Health announced on March 19 that it would be limiting surgeries to only ones that are considered urgent. Kaleida also reminded the public that if you feel symptomatic, you should call your doctor instead of going to the hospital or emergency room.
Kaleida changed its visiting hours last week. Visitation hours for family and friends is from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. All approved visitors are given a pass, which must be worn prominently at all times.
No visitors are permitted at HighPointe on Michigan or DeGraff Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Facility except in end-of-life or palliative care cases.
There is a limit of one person at the bedside in all inpatient areas. Pediatric patients will be permitted two caregivers in the facility, with only one the bedside at a time.
There is also a limit of one person at the labor and delivery unit, and one healthy adult in the emergency department, same-day surgery and minor procedure areas.
Visitors under 14 are not allowed.
Kaleida also recommends all visitors should self-screen for contagious diseases before visiting patients.
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is implementing a variety of changes to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
Roswell says it's reducing the number of people, including employees, on the Roswell Park campus. In addition, the hospital says it will also be implementing telemedicine options where possible.
Roswell announced on Wednesday that no visitors will be allowed on inpatient floors, and only one visitor per patient will be allowed in outpatient centers.
The hospital says all employees accessing Roswell's clinical buildings will also be screened. The hospital added that it will also be screening all patients and visitors.
Roswell also says that its valet service has been suspended. Roswell says its patient transport team will be available to help anyone who needs wheelchair assistance on the third floor of its parking ramp.
Wyoming County Community Heath System
Wyoming County Community Health System now has enhanced visitor restrictions in place.
Visitors are not allowed in, except for extreme circumstances. Mothers giving birth will be permitted to have one care partner with them during birth. Emergency room visitors will only be allowed if the sole visitor is the guardian to a minor, or in extreme circumstances.
Outpatient clinics will move to only performing necessary visits, and patients with nonurgent needs will be rescheduled.