Ensuring a Safe Mount Sinai
We are taking every step possible to keep our patients and staff safe.
Center for Post-COVID Care at Mount Sinai
Center to provide post-multidisciplinary care and psychosocial resources for patients recovering from COVID-19.
Important Updates for Our Patients
Masks are still required in hospitals and health care facilities, according to the CDC and the New York State Department of Health.
Throughout the course of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Mount Sinai Health System is committed to bringing you the latest information including how to get care at Mount Sinai, protecting yourself from COVID-19, our visitor policy, and much more. You will find our information is constantly updated, in response to the changing situation.
Visitor Policy
Visitor Policy – Effective May 25, 2021
Mount Sinai welcomes visitors to the hospitals, including Emergency Rooms, as long as visitors adhere to the policy below. For visitors to our ambulatory locations, please see the ambulatory visitor policy.
General Visitor Information:
- Visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
- All visitors must comply with NYS domestic and international travel rules and restrictions.
- Visitors will be screened for symptoms, have a temperature check and be asked for contact information prior to entry.
- Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the previous 10 days or has been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 will not be allowed into the hospital.
- Visitors must wear a surgical mask during their visit – one will be provided if needed. Additionally, visitors will be given personal protective equipment (PPE) and shown the proper way to wear it if needed.
- Visitors must wash their hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer, before entering and exiting their loved one’s room.
- Visitors must keep their mask on and stay in the patient’s room throughout their visit unless asked to step out by hospital staff. Visitors may not be present during procedures, aerosol-generating treatments and in the recovery room.
- NOTE: The visitor policy may be adjusted to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. In these circumstances, staff may allow only one visitor at a time or temporarily prohibit visitors entirely.
Locations and Hours:
- Inpatient visitation hours for adult patients are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. During this timeframe, two adult visitors are permitted each day for a maximum stay of four hours per day.
- One healthy support person is allowed to be with obstetric patients on the Labor & Delivery. In addition, a doula may be present. Visitation on post-partum units is from 10:00am to 6:00pm daily. Visitation is limited to four hours per day for up to two visitors at a time, unless otherwise approved by the clinical team.
- Two adult guardians/caregivers/visitors per pediatric patient are allowed at the bedside at a time between hospital visiting hours, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NICU. One adult guardian/caregiver/visitor may be at bedside 24 hours a day in all pediatric units. In pediatric units, one adult guardian, caregiver, visitor may sleep overnight at bedside, except in the NICU. Two guardians/caregivers/visitors can accompany a child to a procedure. One guardian/caregiver/visitor at a time may be in the recovery room with a pediatric patient.
- One visitor is permitted for Emergency Room (ER) patients for a maximum of two hours of visitation per day. ERs may limit visitors to ensure staff and patient safety.
- Exceptions to visitation hours and limits may be granted for imminent (within 24 hours) end of life and/or patients with cognitive or developmental impairments or at the discretion of hospital leadership.
Visitors who do not comply with all of the above requirements will be asked to leave.
UPDATED VISITOR POLICY – 05/25/2021
Ambulatory Visitor Policy
MSHS Ambulatory COVID-19 Pandemic Visitor Guide
Updated: 7/16/2021
Mount Sinai welcomes visitors to our outpatient practices. Our visitor policy will be limited to ensure proper social distancing within the practices based on current government recommendations.
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Patients are allowed only one visitor at a time, with some exceptions. For additional information and select locations, click here
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Visitors must be 18 years of age or older
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Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the previous 10 days will not be allowed into an outpatient practice
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Anyone who has been a household contact or in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 over the past 10 days will not be allowed into an outpatient practice
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Visitors must comply with NYS domestic and international travel rules and restrictions
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During a visit, visitors:
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Must wear a surgical mask during their visit. Masks with valves are not permitted. A mask will be provided if needed.
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Will be screened for symptoms, have a temperature check and be asked for contact information prior to entry. If needed, visitors will be given personal protective equipment (PPE) and shown the proper way to wear it.
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Visitors will be asked to perform hand hygiene upon entry to the facility.
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Social distancing rules will be applied and visitors may be asked to wait outside
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For surgical patients, visitors may be asked to leave after check-in process and return when patient is ready for pick up
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Please note, the ambulatory guide may be adjusted to ensure the safety of staff, patients and visitors.
Patient Information
Mount Sinai is making it easier—and safer—to get care. If you think you may have COVID-19, you can get care quickly through our video and online care services through Mount Sinai Now Virtual Care. If your symptoms include fever, cough, or shortness of breath, or if you have had close contact with a confirmed or potential person diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, this is a safe and fast way to get the care you need. We are taking extra precautions to make sure our facilities are as safe as possible, and this will allow us to direct you to the most appropriate location for your care. If you do not have COVID-19, but want to schedule a routine doctor's appointment, you can set up an in-person or video visit easily through MyChart. If you need more information, please call your provider.
New York State has aggressively expanded COVID-19 diagnostic testing capacity. As of July 1, testing is available to all New Yorkers statewide.
Testing will not change how we treat your illness. Whether you have COVID-19 or another seasonal illness like the flu, we advise the following:
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Stay home and only leave if you need medical attention
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Isolate yourself from others in your household by staying in a separate bedroom
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Use a separate bathroom if available; otherwise, disinfect the bathroom after using
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Everyone should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
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Dispose of used tissue properly in lined trash cans
If you wish to consult a doctor about your symptoms, please use our virtual service, Mount Sinai NOW as a first step. You can chat with a doctor on your smartphone or personal computer, using a video call, online visit, or Text-to-Chat. It will help us make sure you receive the appropriate care.
COVID-19 Help
If you or a loved one has questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing or treatment, you can text 4-SINAI (474624) from any mobile device to receive answers.
For any questions after receiving negative COVID-19 test results, you can call 646-605-5959 to receive further guidance.
Elective Surgeries at Mount Sinai
The state of New York is now allowing elective surgeries which were halted due to the COVID-19 crisis. Elective surgeries can now take place at all Mount Sinai Health System hospitals, doctor’s offices, and ambulatory surgery centers. Teams from across the Health System are working to ensure a safe environment, so that patients can be confident in coming in to get the care they need.
Remote Monitoring for COVID-19
Precision Recovery is a new app developed by Mount Sinai to monitor people who have symptoms of COVID-19. It enables physicians to remotely monitor the patient’s symptoms daily and adjust care as needed, including sending the patient to the hospital if symptoms worsen. Care includes video or phone consultation, when needed. If you would like to enroll as patient, text your name and “Precision Recovery” to 332-213-9130.
Legal Services For Patients During COVID-19
The Mount Sinai Medical Legal Partnership provides free legal services for Mount Sinai’s most vulnerable patients to address and resolve the legal and social issues that often contribute to poor health.
The MSMLP is here to help with patients’ legal needs in this crisis. Some patients may have questions about rights to unemployment benefits, visa extensions, public benefits, advance planning, and child custody, among other things.
The MSMLP has arranged for free, confidential legal services for low-income patients during the COVID-19 crisis. Patients can contact our partner, Legal Health at (929) 356-9586 or legalhealthtriage@nylag.org. Calls will be answered Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm.
