News

Samaritan Visitor Guidelines

Updated April 3, 2023

Samaritan Medical Center has implemented the following visitation and support person policy effective Monday, April 3, 2023.

General Visitation Guidelines

If any of these requirements are not met the visitor or support person will be asked to leave.

Visitors should refrain from coming to our facilities if they are ill.

All visitors and support persons must be 12 years of age (ICU visitors must be over the age of 18) or older. Visitors under the age of 18, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Visitor identification / government ID must be presented during check-in.

Depending upon the prevalence of COVID 19 in Jefferson County, Samaritan is required to follow the Center for Disease Control guidelines regarding source control. Depending on the prevalence of COVID in our area, visitors and supports person may be required to wear masks. Guidance will provided by entry staff (registration, security and/or screening & visitation team).

Visitors are expected to behave in a respectful manner. Our care teams reserve the right to ask a visitor to leave if acting inappropriately.

Visitors and support persons should self-screen for illness before arriving at Samaritan and before accessing patient care areas.

If you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 10 days, please do not visit our facilities.

Visitors and support persons must not be on quarantine or isolation for COVID-19 infection or exposure.

Samaritan Medical Center continues to follow CDC hospital recommendations for patient, visitor, and staff isolation after confirmed COVID-19 infection and quarantine after known or suspected exposure. As such, visitors will need to complete a full ten days of quarantine or isolation prior to presenting for visitation.

All visitors and support persons are required to comply with our checkpoint procedures. If you are unable to comply, you will not be permitted in our facilities.

Visitors and support persons will need to wear their visitor ID sticker or band so it is visible to staff.

Visitors and support persons should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Below are the Visitation Guidelines based upon patient groups:

Hospital Inpatients Close
- - Inpatient visitors must enter and exit through the main/front entrance facing Washington Street to be screened and logged. Parking in the parking garage is best and is free.
  - Two visitors, per patient, per day from the hours of 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Visitors may be present together.
  - No visitation permitted for COVID-19 inpatients, COVID-19 inpatients under investigation (PUI), or patients in quarantine (with compassionate exceptions as determined by the Nursing Supervisor and patient’s care team).
  - If you cannot visit, you can contact your loved one over the phone or through a scheduled video call. The patient’s care team can help schedule and make arrangement for the video call.
  - Intensive Care Unit patients; Visitors must be 18 years of age or older. Exceptions must be approved by Nursing Supervisor.
  - Families are encouraged to directly work with the patient or health care proxy to determine scheduled visitation.
- - Inpatients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), and patients with cognitive impairments including dementia:
  - These support persons must enter and exit through the main/front entrance.
    - One (1) designated support person may remain with the patient through hospitalization.
    - An additional maybe be present during designated visiting hours 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  - End of Life Patients
    - These support persons must enter and exit through the main/front entrance.
    - Two (2) designated support person may remain with the patient through hospitalization.
    - An additional may be present during designated visiting hours 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
    - Nursing Supervisor coordinates all exceptions with the patient’s Care Team.
Emergency Department Close
- Two (2) designated support persons over the age of 18 (one at the bedside at a time) will be able to accompany patients in the Emergency Department, including the Behavioral Health Unit.
  - Those patients being tested for COVID-19 will be allowed a support person with them if they reside in the same household (implied exposure), support person will be educated on the risks and benefits of visitation with a COVID+ patient.
  - If the support person arrives after the patient has been placed in a room, the Charge RN will confirm with the patient his/her support person and then notify security to assist in escort.
  - A support person must be logged and wear the given sticker at all times.
- The support person must remain in the patient’s treatment room for the entire visit, if support person leaves room for any reason other than to use the restroom, they will be asked to leave.
- If patient is admitted to an inpatient floor, support persons may accompany them to the room during inpatient visiting hours. If they are admitted outside of visiting hours, you must return during visiting hours.
- Patients under the age of 18 may have two (2) support persons with them at all times.
Obstetrics Close
- The Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children’s entrance on Sherman and Pratt Street will be used for exiting and returning.
- Two (2) designated support persons, identified at admission, may enter together.
- Support persons may accompany the patient throughout labor, delivery, and the immediate post-partum period, including recovery until discharge home.
- The support persons should be prepared to stay with the mother for long periods of time, they are encouraged to have essential items such as clothing, medications, etc.
- Support person may leave and return once a day.
- Support persons will be screened upon each re-entry.
Pediatric Patients / Neonatal Intensive Care Close
- The Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children’s entrance on Sherman and Pratt Street will be used for exiting and entrance.
- Two (2) designated parent/guardians, identified at admission, may be present together.
- Support persons may leave and return once a day.
- Support persons will be screened upon re-entry.
Surgical Services Patients Close
- Surgical services support persons and patients enter and exit through the main/front entrance (Washington Street entrance) to be screened and logged. Parking in the parking garage is best and free.
- Outpatient procedure patient support persons will accompany patient into Surgical Services area and wait in the patient’s designated space for the duration of the procedure.
- Each patient will be allowed one (1) designated support person.
  - For pediatric patients, two (2) support persons are allowed. However, only one support person will be able to be with the patient during pre-op and post-op periods; the other support person will remain in the designated waiting area until discharge information is provided.
- Support persons must remain in a designated waiting area at all times unless directed otherwise.
- If a surgical patient becomes an inpatient and must stay in the hospital, support persons must follow general inpatient visitation guidelines once the patient has been discharged from surgical care (see above).
- If a support person does not accompany the patient into the facility, they will be provided a phone number they are welcome to call for general updates.
- Interventional radiology patients that enter through the Registration entrance may also have one (1) support person with them at time of procedure. Support person may be asked to wait in a designated waiting room for the duration of the procedure.
Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), and patients with cognitive impairments including dementia Close
- One (1) designated support person may remain with the patient through their hospitalization.
- Additional visitors may be permitted between the hours of 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- These support persons must enter and exit through the main/front entrance facing Washington Street.
Outpatient procedures, lab, radiology, or rehabilitation Close
- Patients for outpatient testing and services may not have a support person due to space constraints. The following are exceptions:
  - Obstetric Ultrasounds may have one (1) support person.
  - Patients under 18 may have one (1) support person.
  - Rehab services offers one (1) support person to accompany.
  - Exceptions may be made based on space available in waiting rooms.
  - Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities will be permitted a support person.
  - Patients in which a support person is safest for the patient in regards to physical ability will be allowed the accompaniment.
Outpatient appointments at all Samaritan clinics Close
- Patients may bring up to two (2) individuals with them to healthcare appointments. Patients encouraged to limit number of additional people with them, if at all possible, for social distancing purposes.
Samaritan Summit Village and Samaritan Keep Home Close
- Limited visitation at Samaritan Keep Home and Samaritan Summit Village depends on the latest test results at each facility.
- Please click here for updates.
Inpatient Mental Health Close
- Visitors must enter and exit through the main/front entrance facing Washington Street to be screened and logged.
- Visitors must be 18 years of age or older. No exceptions.
- Visitors must make an appointment with the unit clerk at 315-786-4955 and be scheduled to come prior to visitation. There must be a valid release on file for the visitation to be scheduled. Only scheduled visitors will be allowed in.
- Due to the inability to visit in patient rooms, visitation will take place in 30 min increments, 7 patients scheduled for visitation at a time.
- Visitation will be in the dining room and patients and visitors are required to always stay at the designated tables with masks on. Due to the above restrictions, we are not allowing visitors to bring in outside snacks, drinks or personal items during the visit as time will not permit for inspections of items.
- Please know that due to the nature of our unit, we discourage flowers from being delivered to patients. If a patient happens to receive flowers while admitted however, we will do our best to keep them in a place where the patient can enjoy them. Such as our nurses station where they are able to view them daily through the glass and at their discharge be given the flowers to take home.

If any of these requirements are not met, the visitor or support person will be asked to leave.

Hospital Inpatients

Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities or cognitive impairment may Medical, Surgical, Progressive Care Unit (PCU), and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) inpatients can designate two visitors, per patient, per day from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Visitors may be present together. Families are encouraged to directly work with the patient or health care proxy to determine scheduled visitation.
Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities or cognitive impairment may have one (1) support person with them at all times. Additional visitors may be permitted between the hours of 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
End of Life Patients Patients that are determined to be imminently dying by the physician, nurse, and supervisor team may have two (2) persons with them at all times.
All visitors must enter through the main/front entrance facing Washington Street.
Most visitation is restricted to those 18 years and older; some exceptions may apply.

Emergency Department Patients:

Two (2) support persons over the age of 18 (one at the bedside at a time) will be able to accompany patients in the Emergency Department, including the Behavioral Health Unit.
- Those patients being tested for COVID-19 will be allowed a support person with them if they reside in the same household (implied exposure), support person will be educated on the risks and benefits of visitation with a COVID+ patient.
- If the support person arrives after the patient has been placed in a room, Charge RN will confirm with the patient his/her support person and then notify security to assist in escort.
- Support persons must be logged and wear the given sticker at all times.
The support person must remain in the patient’s treatment room for the entire visit, if support person leaves room for any reason other than to use the restroom, they will be asked to leave.
If patient is admitted to an inpatient floor, support persons may accompany them to the room during inpatient visiting hours. If they are admitted outside of visiting hours, you must return during visiting hours.
Patients under the age of 18 may have two (2) support persons with them at all times.

Obstetric Patients:

Two (2) designated support persons per patient are permitted.
Support persons may accompany the patient throughout labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period, including recovery until discharge to home.
The support persons should be prepared to stay with the mother for long periods of time, assuring they have essential items such as clothing, medications, etc.
Support persons may leave and return once a day.
The Car-Freshener Center for Women and Children’s entrance on Sherman and Pratt Street will be used for exiting and returning.
Support persons will be screened upon re-entry each time.

Pediatric Patients / Neonatal Intensive Care:

Two (2) parents or guardians.
Support persons may leave and return once a day.
The Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children’s entrance on Sherman and Pratt Street will be used for exiting and returning.
Support persons will be screened upon re-entry each time.

Surgical Services Patients:

Surgical support persons and patients enter and exit through the main/front entrance facing Washington Street to be screened and logged. Parking in the parking garage is best.
Outpatient procedure patient support persons will accompany the patient into Surgical Services area and wait in the patient’s bay for the duration of the procedure.
Each patient will be allowed one (1) designated support person.
- For pediatric patients, two (2) support persons are allowed. However, only one support person will be able to be with the patient during pre-op and post-op periods; the other support person will remain in the designated waiting area until discharge information is provided.
Support persons must remain in a designated waiting area at all times unless directed otherwise.
If a surgical patient becomes an inpatient and must stay in the hospital, support persons must follow general inpatient visitation guidelines once the patient has been discharged from surgical care (see above).
If a support person does not accompany the patient into the facility, they will be provided a phone number they are welcome to call for general updates.
Interventional radiology patients that enter through the registration entrance may also have one (1) support person with them at the time of the procedure. The support person may be asked to wait in a designated waiting room for the duration of the procedure.

Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), and patients with cognitive impairments including dementia:

One (1) designated support person may remain with the patient through their hospitalization.
Additional visitors may be permitted between the hours of 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
These support persons and visitors must enter and exit through the main/front entrance facing Washington Street.

Patients undergoing outpatient procedures, lab, radiology, or rehabilitation

Patients for outpatient testing and services may not have a support person due to space constraints. The following are exceptions:
- Obstetric Ultrasounds may have one (1) support person.
- Patients under 18 may have one (1) support person.
- Rehab services offer one (1) support person to accompany.
- Exceptions may be made based on the space available in waiting rooms.
- Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities will be permitted a support person.
- Patients in which a support person is safest for the patient in regards to physical ability will be allowed the accompaniment.

Outpatient appointments at all Samaritan clinics

Patients may bring up to two (2) individuals with them to healthcare appointments. Patients are encouraged to limit the number of additional people with them, if at all possible, for social distancing purposes.

Samaritan Summit Village and Samaritan Keep Home

Limited visitation at Samaritan Keep Home and Samaritan Summit Village depends on the latest test results at each facility. Please click here for updates.

Inpatient Mental Health

Visitors must enter and exit through the main/front entrance facing Washington Street to be screened and logged.
Visitors must be 18 years of age or older. No exceptions.
Visitors must make an appointment with the unit clerk at 315-786-4955 and be scheduled to come prior to visitation. There must be a valid release on file for the visitation to be scheduled. Only scheduled visitors will be allowed in.
Due to the inability to visit in patient rooms, visitation will take place in 30 min increments, 7 patients scheduled for visitation at a time.
Visitation will be in the dining room and patients and visitors are required to always stay at the designated tables with masks on. Due to the above restrictions, we are not allowing visitors to bring in outside snacks, drinks or personal items during the visit as time will not permit for inspections of items. Please know that due to the nature of our unit, we discourage flowers from being delivered to patients. If a patient happens to receive flowers while admitted however, we will do our best to keep them in a place where the patient can enjoy them. Such as our nurses station where they are able to view them daily through the glass and at their discharge be given the flowers to take home.

We thank you for your cooperation and support as we look out for the safety of our patients, staff and community.