Bassett Healthcare Network Adjusting Visitation Guidelines Effective June 21

Effective Tuesday, June 21, Bassett Healthcare Network is putting in place new visitation guidelines at its hospital and clinic locations across the region. Full visitation policy information for Bassett Healthcare Network is available on www.bassett.org.

All people who enter Bassett Healthcare Network’s buildings must wear a properly fitting surgical-grade mask during the entirety of their visit and participate in screening procedures upon entrance, including temperature checks and a brief questionnaire. Proper personal protective equipment will be provided at building entrances for those who need it.

Hospital Visiting Hours
Bassett Healthcare Network’s inpatient hospital locations – including A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Cobleskill Regional Hospital, Little Falls Hospital, and O’Connor Hospital in Delhi – will permit two visitors at a time per patient between the hours of noon and 7 p.m. daily. Bassett Medical Center’s Inpatient Psychiatry Department will offer visiting hours from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. on the weekends. Visitors should be 12 years of age or older, except in rare situations approved by a patient’s clinical team.

Support persons may visit hospital patients who are under 18 years old or require cognitive support at any time as needed if approved by the patient’s care team. Other extenuating circumstances – like end-of-life patients and young children – will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Support persons must be 18 years of age or older. The patient or caregiver will determine who the visitors and support persons will be.

Once in the facility, visitors must remain in the patient’s room throughout the visit, except when directed by hospital staff to leave during certain care procedures. Visitors seeing patients who are COVID-19-positive must be in full personal protective equipment at all times.

Birthing Center
Patients admitted to Bassett Medical Center’s Birthing Center may designate up to two support persons upon arrival to the hospital. They may also choose to have a doula present during labor and delivery. One support person may remain with the patient during the entirety of their hospital stay. Support persons may not be interchangeable.

Pediatric Hospital Patients
Children who are hospitalized at Bassett Medical Center may have up to two support persons upon arrival to the hospital. One support person may remain with the patient during the entirety of their hospital stay, and the second support person may come between noon and 7 p.m. daily.

Outpatient Clinic Visitation
Patients coming to Bassett Healthcare Network’s health center locations for primary care, pediatric, or specialty care appointments may bring one support person to stay for the duration of the visit.

Emergency Departments
Patients in Bassett Healthcare Network’s emergency departments may have one support person (18 years of age or older) with them during their time in the emergency department. Children under 18 years old may have both parents present.

Long-Term Care Facilities
Please visit Bassett Healthcare Network’s long-term care locations on our website for specific visitation information and instructions at A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta and Valley Health Services in Herkimer.

Are you up to date on your vaccines?
The most important thing we can all do to help control the spread of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated, including obtaining booster shots on schedule. COVID-19 vaccines are free and available in all of Bassett Healthcare Network’s clinics, school-based health centers, and at most retail pharmacy locations. Visit www.bassett.org for more information.

Additionally, wearing a properly fitting mask in public, washing your hands frequently, and staying home when you experience symptoms are all effective and responsible practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19, flu, and other respiratory illnesses.