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COVID-19: Vaccination, Testing and Treatment

 

COVID-19: Maintaining a Safe and Effective Care Environment

A safe and effective care environment is our highest priority, and Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) hospitals and medical practices have undertaken necessary steps to protect our patients and workforce as the COVID-19 situation evolves.

On this site, you will find up-to-date information on our patient and visitor guidelines, as well as details about vaccination, testing and treatment offered at our hospital campuses, by appointment only.

 


Please call the DOH’s COVID-19 hotline at 888.364.3065 or visit Health.NY.Gov for additional information.  You can also visit the CDC.gov for updates and prevention tips.

Our Plan for Care

All WMCHealth hospitals and medical practices have long-standing and up-to-date protocols in place to respond to infectious diseases. These protocols include, but are not limited to:

  • Strict adherence to care guidelines
  • Protective attire
  • Screening of patients and visitors for COVID-19 infections, symptoms or exposure 

Our Commitment

WMCHealth is committed to providing a safe and comfortable care environment for patients, their families and our staff at all of our member hospitals and medical practices throughout the Hudson Valley. Our care specialists are working collaboratively with public health agencies and closely monitoring COVID-19 developments. Please call the DOH’s coronavirus hotline at 888.364.3065 or visit Health.NY.Gov or CDC.gov for additional information and prevention tips.

Mental Health Hotline:  Call 914.216.7733

The COVID-19 anxiety and research hotline is staffed by trained medical personnel that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide free confidential telephone counseling services for members of the community and staff experiencing anxiety and depression as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Resources

Orange County DOH

New York State DOH

CDC

 

Updated: January 13, 2023

Visitation Guidelines Effective January 16, 2024

Bon Secours Charity Health System recognizes that patients need the support of family and friends while they are in the hospital or visiting for an outpatient appointment or procedure. We welcome visitors and request that you follow our visitation guidelines. Safety measures are in place for our patients, employees, and visitors. We appreciate your support and cooperation.

Bon Secours Charity Health System does not restrict, limit, or deny visitation privileges based on race, ethnicity, language, national origin, socioeconomic status, mental or physical ability, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

Visitors will be restricted to healthy individuals 18 years and older. No more than two (2) visitors at a time.

Limited exceptions for special circumstances are being made to include patients at the end of life.

Guest Services

At our Lobby Main Desk, a Guest Service Associate will verify that your identification and a visitor pass will be provided.

General Visiting Hours are 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., one support person permissible 24/7

Ambulatory Surgery / Outpatient Areas

Patients scheduled for outpatient or ambulatory procedures may have two (2) visitors, who can accompany the patient through the admission process. Visitors can wait in designated family waiting areas while wearing a mask and adhering to social distancing guidelines. 

Behavioral Health

Bon Secours Community Hospital Mental Health Unit is by appointment only. Two (2) visitors per patient are allowed.

New Directions requires pre-screening with counseling staff. Visitation is on Sundays with mandatory attendance to Family Education Meeting from 2 – 3 p.m. and visitation from 3 – 4 p.m. One (1) visitor is allowed.

Good Samaritan Hospital 3 West requires pre-screening with counseling staff. Visitation is on Saturdays only at 3 p.m. with mandatory attendance to Family Meeting from 2 – 3 p.m. and visitation from 3 – 4 p.m. One (1) visitor is allowed.

Emergency Department allows one (1) support person per day 24/7.

Inpatient allows two (2) persons at a time during general visiting hours. One (1) visitor permitted during overnight hours.

Maternity Services Visitation

Labor and Delivery and Obstetric Emergency Department

A support person and a Doula if present 24/7

Mother and Baby Units (Post-Partum)

  • Up to four (4) visitors at a time/patient (This includes the support person and doula) during hospital visiting hours.
  • A support person may stay overnight in patient’s room.
  • Please be aware healthy siblings of the newborn age 2 and above will be allowed to visit in OB during the flu season.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Up to two (2) persons at a bedside at a time 24/7 after being screened upon entry to the hospital

Guidelines for Permitted Visitors

  • All visitors will be asked for identification and must undergo symptom and temperature checks upon entering.
  • Do not come if you are exhibiting any symptoms or feel ill.
  • We ask that all visitors practice rigorous hand hygiene.
  • General facemask wearing is required for staff or visitors, while in patient rooms in the inpatient hospital  and clinical areas of the Emergency Department where patients may be encountered
  • Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a facemask in all other areas of the hospital where patients may be present. This includes nursing stations, lobbies, waiting areas, elevators, and other public areas.  

Visitors must undergo symptom checks upon entering the facility and shall be denied entry if they report the following symptoms of COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • A positive viral test for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days, or close contact with someone COVID-19 infection in the prior 10 days
  • Visitors must wear face coverings at all times, regardless of visitor or patient vaccination status
  • Visitors should remain in the patient's room throughout the visit
  • Visitors may be provided with and asked to wear additional personal protective equipment (PPE), as appropriate to the patient's condition
  • Visitors who fail to wear Personal Protective Equipment as requested by staff will be asked to leave the facility

Visitors are welcome to safely visit our gift shop, cafeteria, chapel and Bikur Cholim room. Please note, visitors are not permitted to eat or drink in patient care areas.

All visitors must adhere to the above guidelines.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions related to our visitor policy, please contact the Patient Experience Department at 845.368.5111.


Testing

Effective Monday January 31, 2022, the St. Anthony Community Hospital COVID-19 drive-through testing site at 20 Grand Street will be closed. All symptomatic patients requiring COVID-19 testing will need to come to the St. Anthony Emergency Department. Those needing COVID-19 testing who are asymptomatic can register in the main entrance and be sent to the outpatient laboratory for testing. During after-hours when the outpatient laboratory is closed, all patients may have their COVID-19 testing performed at the St. Anthony Emergency Department.

Processes:

Asymptomatic COVID Testing (Monday – Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.):  
1. Patient must have a prescription.
2. Patient may or may not call scheduling for an appointment. (not required)
3. Upon arrival at SACH will register through patient access in main lobby and sent to outpatient lab for testing

Symptomatic COVID Patients Testing (24/7)
1. Patient must have a prescription
2. Patients may or may not call scheduling for an appointment (not required)
3. Patient will drive to the Emergency department and stay in their car
4. Patient will call 845.987.5125 ( let staff know they are here for a COVID test)
5. Registrar will register the patient and give them directions where to wait for testing
6. ED RN (or designee) will go outside ED and swab patient

Asymptomatic COVID Patients Testing (after outpatient laboratory hours):
1. Patient must have a prescription
2. Patients may or may not call scheduling for an appointment (not required)
3. Patient will drive to the Emergency department and stay in their car
4. Patient will call 845.987.5125 (let staff know they are here for a COVID test)
5. Registrar will register the patient and give them directions where to wait for testing
6. ED RN (or designee) will go outside ED and swab patient

 

When will I receive my results? 

  • At this time, diagnostic results can take up to five days.

Additional Information:

Please call the DOH’s coronavirus hotline at 888.364.3065 or visit Health.NY.Gov for additional information.  You can also visit the CDC.gov for updates and prevention tips.

The self-pay cost for an individual seeking a COVID-19 diagnostic test is $75

Treatment

If you test positive for COVID-19, contact your primary care provider for the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Suspension of Referrals for Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19

WMCHealth is not currently accepting referrals for the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment, as the available mAbs are not effective against the predominantly circulating SARS-Cov-2 variants. Prevention remains the method of protection against COVID-19. We strongly recommend that all eligible individuals receive COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses, and mask and test when appropriate. Please contact your primary care provider if you have any questions about COVID-19 prevention or treatment.

 

Updated: January 13, 2023


WMCHealth Vaccine Information

Please check with your local provider, health department or pharmacy for vaccination and booster availability near you.

Valhalla

Guidance for the New York State Vaccination Program is available here.

Please call 914.202.4530 to schedule an appointment through our drive through vaccination center. Appointments are required.

A parent or legal guardian must accompany all children and proof of the child’s age is required.

Poughkeepsie

MidHudson Regional Hospital
241 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY

Every Wednesday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. for pediatrics)

A parent or legal guardian must accompany all children and proof of the child’s age is required.

Appointments required. To schedule an appointment, call 914.202.4530.

Suffern

Good Samaritan Hospital
255 Lafayette Avenue
Suffern, NY

Every Monday, Friday and Sunday, 8 a.m.- 10 a.m.

A parent or legal guardian must accompany all children and proof of the child’s age is required.

Appointments are encouraged. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Additional Resources

 
Updated: January 30, 2023

WMCHealth Post-COVID-19 Recovery Program

Post-COVID-19 Care for Ongoing Recovery

The Tri-State area has been one of the hardest hit in the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, many people who became ill from the coronavirus continue to deal with long-term issues surrounding their physical, mental and emotional health and quality of life. Sometimes referred to as “post-COVID syndrome” this is a very real health issue. And, it is treatable. This program gives our patients access to evaluation and a wide range of specialty care for their mental and physical health.

Request an Appointment | Call 914.592.2400

Updated: January 9, 2023