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
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.
New York State Quarantine Exemption for Patients
New York State has announced that it will make an exception from its new quarantine rules for patients traveling here for necessary medical care and their companions.
Patients from a state where there is significant community spread of COVID-19, and their companions, may travel here despite the quarantine “for a medical procedure, elective procedure, or other appointment that cannot be postponed,” according to the state Department of Health. Patients and their companions must remain quarantined except for travel that is necessary to their medical care, and the companions must abide by the visitor policy while on our campuses.
More information on New York’s quarantine policies, including a list of states to which it applies, can be found on the NYS website.
Visitor Policy
Mount Sinai will welcome visitors to the hospitals, including Emergency Rooms. The visitor policy for the Mount Sinai Health System is as follows:
Before Your Visit
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All visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
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All visitors will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 when they arrive at the hospital. Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been around someone with COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter.
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All visitors must wear a face covering or mask during their visit. Masks with valves are not permitted. A mask will be provided if the visitor does not have one or has one with a valve.
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After completing the temperature check and screening, visitors will be asked to provide their name, contact information and the name of the patient being visited.
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Visitors will be directed to the Nurses Station on the Unit/Department where their loved one is staying.
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Visitors must wash their hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer, before entering and exiting their loved one’s room.
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If needed, visitors will be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear. Visitors must wear the appropriate PPE at all times and will be shown the correct way to wear it, including how to put it on and take it off.
During Your Visit
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Patients are allowed only one visitor at a time.
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Inpatients are allowed a total of four hours of visitation each day, while Emergency Room patients are allowed a total of two hours of visitation.
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When visiting an inpatient, visitors must stay in the patient’s room throughout their visit unless asked to step out by hospital staff.
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If needed, the hospital reserves the right to restrict the total number of visitors to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
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Visitors may not be present during procedures and recovery room except for childbirth, pediatrics, and patients with an intellectual, developmental, or other cognitive disability.
Visitors who do not follow these requirements will be asked to leave.
Hospital Visitor Hours
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Mount Sinai Brooklyn: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Mount Sinai Beth Israel: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
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The Mount Sinai Hospital: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
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Mount Sinai Morningside: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
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Mount Sinai Queens: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
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Mount Sinai West: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
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Mount Sinai South Nassau: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
All visitors are expected to comply with the New York State rules on quarantine for those traveling from designated “hot spot” locations. If you have traveled to a “hot spot” location in the past 14 days, you will not be allowed entry.
An exception to this rule is:
- for companions to a patient undergoing a medical procedure, elective procedure, or other appointment that cannot be postponed.
- for companions who have traveled with a patient from a hot spot for an essential procedure
- end of life situations.
Patients and their companions must remain quarantined except for travel that is necessary to their medical care, and the companions must abide by the visitor policy while on our campuses.
Please note, the visitor policy may be adjusted to ensure the safety of staff, patients and visitors.
UPDATED VISITOR POLICY – 8/10/2020
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. As a result of the outbreak, routine visits with our providers are being rescheduled or offered as video visits. If you do not have COVID-19, but want to schedule a routine doctor's appointment, you can set up a video visit easily through MyChart. If you need more information, please call your provider.
According to a directive from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Mount Sinai Health System is not permitted to test patients for COVID-19 who have no or mild symptoms.
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
As of June 9, 2020, the state of New York is now allowing elective surgeries which were halted due to the COVID-19 crisis to resume. 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.
Public Events Cancellation
Out of an abundance of caution, effective as soon as possible, but no later than Tuesday, March 10, we are instituting a temporary policy to cancel all in-person large group lectures, events, and meetings across the Mount Sinai Health System, and if possible, offer a virtual alternative. This includes, but is not limited to, grand rounds, educational classes, administrative meetings, and clinical meetings. To be clear, the Mount Sinai Health System, including the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, remains open under this policy. We are just limiting the size of gatherings and also limiting visitors.
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.