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.
Saratoga Hospital Visitor Policy
- Visiting Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Each patient may have two visitors at a time.
- Visitors must be age 12 or older; Visitors under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Masks are recommended but not required unless you have respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, fever) or you have had a Covid-19 exposure within the last 10 days.
- 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
- Visitation for Covid-19 patients remains restricted, although compassionate exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Saratoga Hospital will provide visitors with proper PPE.
Separate visitation guidelines are established for the following areas::
- Behavioral Health Unit
- Limited to one unique visitor per day.
- Visiting hours: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Emergency Department
- One visitor may accompany the patient 24/7. Children under the age of 18 may have two parents/guardians. Staff will exercise their best clinical judgment in determining when visitation may be temporarily limited based on departmental needs. Compassionate exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
- 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.
- Radiation Oncology Center
- Limited to one support person at the time of initial consultation.
- 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