A safe and effective care environment is our highest priority, and Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) hospitals in accordance with current NYS DOH requirements have undertaken necessary steps to protect our patients and workforce.
Effective December 2, 2024, visitation at Westchester Medical Center and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is as follows:
- Visiting hours are 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- All visitors will be screened for COVID and flu like symptoms upon arrival. Visitors who are sick or who display signs of illness such as coughing, runny nose, etc. will not be permitted to enter the hospital.
- General facemask wearing is required for staff and 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.
- There will be no limit to the number of visitors throughout the day; however, only two (2) people may visit at a time.
- Pediatric patients, age 22 years and under, are allowed four (4) Designated Support People (DSP). Two (2) DSPs can visit together at any given time, 24 hours per day.
- Labor and delivery patients are allowed two (2) DSPs, including a doula if requested, 24 hours per day, throughout labor, delivery and the postpartum period, including recovery, until discharge to home. The DSP can be the patient’s spouse, partner, sibling, parent or other persons of their choice.
- Accompaniment to the Emergency Department is allowed. In the event of higher than normal volume we may need to restrict access in the waiting room to patients only.
- All patients undergoing same-day procedures may be accompanied to the facility by two (2) DSPs and those DSPs may remain in a hospital designated waiting area until the patient is discharged.
- Behavioral Health units have visitation guidelines which are provided to patients and families upon admission.
- In compliance with NYS DOH requirements, visitors must be at least 12 years of age and if under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Patients with extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These requests and other related concerns can be directed to Patient Experience at 914.493.8877.
Infection Control
All hospital, state and federal guidelines regarding infection control practices must be followed. Visitors will be informed of these guidelines and protocols as a case-by-case basis.
Communication Devices
For patients using personal devices for communication with family and friends: All WMCHealth patients must adhere to policies regarding patient photography and recording or videotaping. Any live video streaming between patients and family/friends must be done with approval by the patient and WMCHealth, be time limited, should not include clinical procedures or staff and should not interfere with WMCHealth clinical treatment or operations. View our complete COVID-19 response.