ATTENTION
Updated visitation guidelines are being implemented at Saratoga Hospital due to seasonal respiratory viruses circulating at this time. These temporary restrictions are intended to help limit the transmission of viruses and other illnesses and protect the health and safety of patients and the professionals who provide care.
Implementation of the new guidelines will begin Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
The Albany Med Health System is also urging all visitors to wash their hands before entering and upon leaving a patient's room. Hand sanitizers are available at many hospital entrances and at many other locations throughout hospitals, including the doorways of many patient rooms.
Our priority at Saratoga Hospital is to keep all our patients, our staff, and our community safe. Our visitation policy reflects this ongoing effort. Visitors may use the Main Entrance and the Emergency Department entrance.
Visitation Guidelines
- Visiting Hours: 11 AM - 7 PM
- MASKS REQUIRED - All patients, visitors, clinicians, employees, volunteers, students, and vendors will be required to wear a medical-grade mask in patient-facing areas. These masks will be provided by the Hospital. View our Masking Policy here.
- Visitors must be free of respiratory or flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath) a rash, and/or diarrhea.
- Each patient may have two visitors at a time.
- All visitors must be age 13 or older.
- All pediatric patients up to age 18 may have two designated support persons with them at all times.
- Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and patients with cognitive impairments (including dementia), may designate one support person to remain with them throughout their hospitalization.
According to Saratoga Hospital’s zero-tolerance policy, any visitor or support person who refuses to wear a mask will not be allowed to visit.
Separate visitation guidelines are established for the following areas::
- Behavioral Health Unit
- Limited to two unique visitors per day.
- Visiting hours: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
- Emergency Department
- Staff will exercise their best clinical judgment in determining when visitation may be temporarily limited based on departmental capacity.
- Mother/Baby Unit
- Up to 2 support people, which includes a doula, are allowed during labor. No additional visitors during labor.
- Postpartum visitation: Open visitation 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- No visitors under the age of 18 years old, unless it is a sibling of the newborn.
- For more details, please call 518-587-3222.
- Radiation Oncology Center
- Limited to a maximum of two support persons for all appointments.
- Surgical Services
- One support person may accompany the patient. Children under 18 may have two parents/guardians
For more details on these separate guidelines, please call 518-587-3222.
We offer and encourage technology-based options to connect with patients in the hospital. Please contact the patient's care unit at 518-587-3222 and request to speak with the charge nurse for more information. Additionally, sending an eCard is a quick and easy way to let your loved one know you're thinking of them. This eCard page provides information on how to send your well wishes.
We will continue to provide compassionate exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Saratoga Hospital reserves the right to modify this policy. Visitation rights may be rescinded at any time.
Saratoga Hospital and Saratoga Hospital outpatient facilities shall respect the rights of patients to choose who may visit/accompany them when they are hospitalized or seen in an outpatient setting.
Visitors will not be restricted, limited, or otherwise denied on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability. The patient has the right to withdraw his/her consent to receive specific visitors.
It is not possible to anticipate every instance that may give rise to a clinically appropriate rationale for a restriction or limitation. Our staff will exercise their best clinical judgment in determining when visitation is or is not appropriate. Clinical judgment will take into account all aspects of the patient's health.
Updated January 10, 2024