• COVID-19 draft

COVID-19 draft

Visitation & Hospital Access Policies

The best way to reduce disease transmission to patients and staff is to restrict the number of visitors and insist that visitors do not come to the hospital if they are sick. 

  • Enter only through the main entrance or the Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center.
    • Main entrance hours:
      • Monday - Friday: 6 AM - 8 PM
      • Saturday: 7 AM - 3 PM
      • Sunday: 10 AM - 4 PM
    • Emergency Center entrance is open 24/7
    • Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology entrance: for cancer patients only 
  • No visitors with fever, cough or shortness of breath
  • All patients will be restricted to one visitor/support person. This applies to all patients, including inpatients, those who are coming to the hospital for outpatient tests or treatments, and maternity patients. Compassionate considerations will be made on a case-by-case basis dependent on a patient's circumstances and nurse director or designee approval. 
  • All patients and visitors must sign in at the reception desk and follow the login procedure
  • No visitors under age 16

These restrictions apply only to Saratoga Hospital, not to our outpatient locations.

CALL FIRST

COVID-19 testing must be ordered by a healthcare provider or your county health department.

If you believe you have COVID-19 symptoms, or may have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, do not go to any healthcare location. Instead, please call your provider.

When you call, a healthcare professional will assess your symptoms. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be directed to a testing site per your provider or your county public health department.

Click here for New York State County Health Departments. 

The coronavirus (COVID 19) landscape is changing every day. At Saratoga Hospital, we are vigilant and cautious, sensitive to patient and staff safety, and community concerns. Our medical staff is fully informed and engaged on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) clinical criteria for COVID-19. These criteria are incorporated into all patient evaluations, when indicated.

COVID-19 Response Team

We have established a COVID-19 Response Team that includes representatives of all disciplines of the hospital, from the main campus and all outpatient offices and facilities. Team members are in constant communication with each other, hospital leadership, other area hospitals, and state and county health officials.

We are actively engaged at the state and county and city level, and monitor all of the reporting at the federal and international level as well (please see Additional Resources below). This allows for a constant assessment of our internal protocols, informed by the latest real-time information available.

Specimen Collection Site

Saratoga Hospital has established a separate lab specimen collection site for approved COVID-19 testing of patients. 

The temporary biocontainment facility, located outside Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center on Myrtle Street, is the safest way to provide this service to the community. 

Patients must be referred for COVID-19 specimen collection at this site either by a licensed healthcare provider or by the New York State or Saratoga County health departments. There is no walk-in service.

For more information, please read our news release.

Steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses

It is important to follow basic preventative measures:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

    • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Stay home when you are sick*
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask
    • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19
    • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility)

*If someone believes they may be sick, we encourage people to call their provider before going to a provider’s office or urgent care to help assess the next best steps for care and provide appropriate guidance. For example, in most mild case, a provider visit may not be necessary.

The NYSDOH Coronavirus Hotline is a valuable resource for the most up-to-date information: 1-888-364-3065

Additional resources

New York State County Health Offices

New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - COVID19

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - COVID19 FAQs

Posted March 6, 2020: This page will be updated as new information is available.