Edited: 5/13/20
New Visitor Policy, Effective April 30, 2020, 8:00 am.
Under normal circumstances, St. Lawrence Health System welcomes our patients’ visitors 24/7. We know in-person visits provide support and reassurance for patients and families alike. We pride ourselves on being a patient- and family-centered organization.
But the COVID-19 pandemic is a difficult time for all of us. Times have changed quickly and dramatically due to the virus. As a patient-centered hospital, we must do everything we can to prevent the spread of this disease and protect our patients, staff and visitors.
In order to do this, our new visitor policy puts strong limits on visitors entering our hospitals and care facilities during this pandemic.
No visitors will be permitted to visit or accompany patients, except for in certain situations:
- Labor & Delivery and post-partum: one designated support person
- Pediatric patients: one designated support person at a time
- Patients for whom a support person is deemed essential: one designated support person at a time
- End-of-life care: one designated support person at a time
If a visitor is approved based upon the criteria of the visitation policy:
- Visitors will be screened for flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath and will not be able to stay if symptomatic at the main hospital(s) entrance at SLHS campus
Visitation privileges shall not be restricted, limited or otherwise denied on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. All visitors designated by the patient (or representative where appropriate) enjoy visitation privileges that are no more restrictive than those that immediate family members would enjoy.
Why can’t I visit my loved one now?
COVID-19 is a contagious disease. It spreads quickly and can be dangerous, especially to people who are seriously ill or living with chronic conditions. A person can have COVID-19 with mild symptoms and unknowingly spread it to others.
When fewer people enter the hospital, there is a greater likelihood that more patients, doctors and care providers will stay safe and well.
We also need to save our limited personal protective equipment for our hospital staff so that they can care for your loved ones.
How can I support my family member?
We encourage phone and video visits. Our care staff can help set this up.
When you follow our policy, you are taking an active role in keeping your loved one safer, while also supporting the well-being of other patients and staff.
If hospital patients need items brought from home, they can only be essential items, such as hearing aids, glasses, dentures, communication devices (mobile phones, laptops, chargers), and small, inexpensive spiritual or religious items. Please drop off items at the hospital main entrance
How long will this visitor policy last?
We cannot predict exactly how long active transmission of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 might last, so we must wait and monitor its progress before we can make changes to the visitor policy.
We thank you for your understanding.
MODIFIED SERVICES AND CLOSURES:
Potsdam Urgent Care is open; however, patients should call ahead, preferably from home.
Patients already on site, should call from their vehicle. The number to call is: (315) 261-5525.
The following practices are caring for patients remotely by appointment using call-in care.
In-person visits will be determined during the call-in appointment:
- Brasher Falls Primary Care; (315) 389-5181
- Colton Primary Care; (315) 262-2287
- DeKalb Junction Health Center; (315) 347-3830
- Dermatology, Potsdam; (315) 265-6800
- Edwards Health Center; (315) 562-1055
- Gastroenterology, Massena; (315) 769-1667
- Norfolk Primary Care; (315) 384-4881
- Outpatient Behavioral Health, 20 Cottage Street, Potsdam; (315) 261-5405
- Outpatient Behavioral Health, 12 Elm Street, Potsdam; (315) 261-5420
- Outpatient Behavioral Health at Gouverneur Hospital; (315) 261-5407
- Outpatient Substance Use Disorder, 12 Elm Street, Potsdam: (315) 353-2572
- Outpatient Substance Use Disorder at Gouverneur Hospital; (315) 261-6333
Services Temporarily Suspended:
- Afterhours Clinic at EJ Noble Professional Building, Canton
- Family Practice Offices Dr. Rajagopal and Dr. Pathmalingam at EJ Noble Professional Building, Canton
- Imaging/MRI at EJ Noble Professional Building, Canton
- Laboratory Services at SLHS Medical Campus, Canton
- Leroy Outpatient Center, Potsdam, first floor ambulatory surgeries
- Physical Therapy in Brasher Falls
- Physical Therapy at EJ Noble Professional Building, Canton
- Sleep Medicine Center, Canton-Potsdam Hospital
- Walk-In Clinic, Levine Outpatient Center, Massena