New York State Grants Emergency Use Authorization to Mount Sinai for Quantitative COVID-19 Antibody Test
Mount Sinai’s lab is the first in the country to run an authorized, fully quantitative antibody test.
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. For visitors to our ambulatory locations, please see the ambulatory visitor policy.
The visitor policy for the Mount Sinai Health System is as follows:
Before A Visit
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Visitors must be 18 years of age or older. Visitors may include family, friends, loved ones, clergy or other individuals of patient’s choice.
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Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the previous 10 days will not be allowed to visit patients. For the safety of our staff and patients, there are no exceptions to this policy.
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Anyone who has been a household contact/in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 over the past 14 days will not be allowed to visit patients.
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Visitors who have been in areas with high rates of COVID-19 transmission (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory) will not be allowed entry for 14 days. Exceptions include support persons deemed essential to the care of the patient; visitors to those in imminent end of life situations; companions to a patient undergoing a procedure or appointment that cannot be postponed.
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Visitors 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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Visitors will be screened for symptoms, have a temperature check and be asked for contact information prior to entry.
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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 given personal protective equipment (PPE) and shown the proper way to wear it.
During A Visit
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Patients are allowed only one visitor at a time and a total of two visitors per day.
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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 keep their mask on and stay in the patient’s room throughout their visit unless asked to step out by hospital staff.
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Visitors may not be present during procedures and in the recovery room.
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When a COVID-19 patient is receiving an aerosol generating treatment [e.g., nebulizer treatments, high flow oxygen and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP)] visitors may not be present.
As defined by New York State, there are certain exceptions to visitation hours and limits. These exceptions include visitors for pediatrics, labor and delivery, end of life (imminent within 24 hours), and patients with cognitive or developmental impairments. Hospital leadership may apply additional exceptions as needed.
Visitors who do not comply with all of the above 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: 12:00 pm - 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
Please note, the visitor policy may be adjusted to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
UPDATED VISITOR POLICY – 10/21/2020
Ambulatory Visitor Policy
MSHS Ambulatory COVID-19 Pandemic Visitor Guide
Updated: 8/14/2020
Visitors to the ambulatory setting during the COVID-19 pandemic will be limited to ensure proper social distancing within the practices based on current government recommendations.
Visitors cannot accompany patients with scheduled outpatient appointments unless they meet the outlined exceptions below:
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Patients who require support persons during their visit e.g. the pediatric population, oncology patients, the geriatric population, patients with obstetric visits and patients with intellectual, cognitive or developmental disability.
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Patients scheduled for outpatient surgery are allowed one visitor for the intake aspect of their care. The visitor cannot be present during the procedure or during the recovery time. They can return post-surgery to pick up the patient.
Visitor Screen Pre-Visit:
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The visitor 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 facility. Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been exposed to or living with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter.
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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:
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for companions to a patient undergoing a medical procedure, elective procedure, or other appointment that cannot be postponed.
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for companions who have traveled with a patient from a hot spot for an essential procedure
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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.
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All visitors must wear a surgical mask over their nose and mouth during their visit. A surgical mask will be provided if the visitor does not have one, or if the one in use is dirty, damaged, or has a valve. Any other type of mask is not permitted, including mask with valves etc.
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Visitors will be asked to perform hand hygiene upon entry to the facility.
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. 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.
Learn More
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.