Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center updates visitor policy

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has reinstated a visitation policy aimed at better protecting its patients, staff and community members in response to the increasing number of new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Western New York. The policy will be reviewed regularly and will remain in effect until further notice. Beginning immediately:

Visiting hours on the medical units will be from noon to 4 p.m. daily.

Visitation on the behavioral health floors will be from 1-2 p.m.

Patient visitation is limited to immediate family members/significant others who have been authorized by the patient.

Only one visitor at a time per patient will be allowed on the hospital premises with a maximum of two visitors per day.

Visitors must wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times.

Visitors under age 18 will not permitted.

Social distancing and frequent hand hygiene will be required at all times.

Patients having a same-day procedure may have a designated visitor after the procedure and through the discharge process.

A patient may bring one person over the age of 18 to accompany them to outpatient appointments

All visitors will be asked to sign in and undergo a medical screening, including a temperature check, upon entering the medical center. Visitors will be required to check in at the nurses’ station upon entering the unit or floor they will be visiting. Emergency Department visitors will be asked to sign in at the registration desk in the ER1 waiting room.

“Although this may cause some additional inconvenience, we can’t overstate the necessity of taking these steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect our patients, staff and the community,” Memorial Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer JoAnn Pellegrino said.