Visiting Policy

At Gracie Square Hospital, we partner with patients, families, and friends to promote a safe and comfortable healing environment. All visitors chosen by the patient or by a support person will have visitation privileges consistent with the patient's wishes.

Visitation privileges will not be limited or denied based on age, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by law. Visitors may include but are not limited to a spouse, same or opposite-sex domestic partner, another family member, or a friend, for emotional support during the course of their stay. Please note, for the well-being of our patients, members of the care team may limit visiting. Our staff will work with visitors and patients, especially those in semi-private rooms, to allow patients time to rest and sleep. Our staff will assist in coordinating visits and address any specific needs or concerns to support a positive experience for both patients and visitors.

Visiting Hours

Visitation hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Two adult visitors are permitted during this period and may visit at the same time.

Effective February 22, 2024

We thank you for making the time to visit your loved ones at Gracie Square Hospital. The health and safety of our patients, visitors, support persons, employees, and community remain our top priority. Therefore, in line with the latest guidelines issued by the New York State Department of Health, we have revised our visitation policy. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

For Patients and Visitors

• Visitors should perform hand hygiene upon arrival.
• Masks are strongly encouraged, but no longer required, for visitors in common areas and many patient care areas of the hospital.
• Masks will continue to be required in certain areas, and you will see signs in these locations asking you to wear a mask. These areas include:
• Other designated areas in which the patient may be immunocompromised or have viral respiratory symptoms.
• Visitors and support persons may choose to wear masks in areas where they are not required, based on personal preference.
• Please seek guidance at the nursing stations, reception areas, or the information desk if you have any questions about mask requirements.
• Visitors with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea or vomiting should not visit until they are well and no longer have symptoms.
• Visitors recently diagnosed with COVID-19 should not visit until 10 days have passed since their COVID-19 diagnosis, in accordance with CDC recommendations for healthcare settings.
• Visitors who had a recent close contact with someone with COVID-19 and who cannot tolerate continuously wearing a mask, should not visit until 10 days have passed since their last contact, in accordance with CDC recommendations for healthcare settings.
• Visitors should display their hospital-issued security pass at all times while visiting.

Checking In

The safety of the individuals under our care is our utmost priority. Therefore, we ask that all visitors check in with hospital staff upon arrival and allow them to inspect all packages and other items before your visit. Visitors will be asked to store items not allowed on the unit, such as cell phones and laptops. Secured lockers are offered as a courtesy during visits. Please do not hesitate to ask a staff member if you are uncertain if an item is safe. What might be safe for your loved one might not be safe for others on the unit.

Food on Patient Units

Meals are provided to all patients and prepared internally by our kitchen and dining staff. Food is not permitted to be eaten in patient rooms; rather, we serve meals in a community dining setting. Clinical dietitians are readily available and menus are tailored to each individual patient's needs. Due to limited storage capacity, we ask that unless there are religious reasons, visitors limit bringing food into the hospital, and if needed, please bring only enough for one visit and sitting (during designated visiting hours).

Items Not Permitted on Patient Units

Importantly, we ask that visitors refrain from giving any individual on the unit the following items, as these may cause serious harm or injury on an inpatient psychiatric unit:

• Aerosol and soda cans
• All recording devices, including any electronics with the ability to record or photograph
• Belts, cords, ropes, straps, electric cords, and clothing with cord or strings (i.e., hoodies, sweatpants, or yoga pants with strings)
• Cigarettes, matches, lighters, tobacco, vaping, and any other smoking material
• CPAP machine and insulin pumps
• Electric items, such as a laptop, iPad, cell phone, electric razor, electric reader, hair dryer
• Food, unless permitted by the unit’s policy
• Glass bottles and mirrors
• Keys, credit/debit cards, ID card, and licenses
• Medications/drugs of any type (over-the-counter and prescription)
• Pencils and pens other than "safety" pens and non-toxic markers provided by the hospital
• Pins (straight and safety)
• Plastic bags
• Razors
• Sharps (i.e., tweezers, nail file, nail clipper, sewing needle, scissors, knitting needles, crochet hooks)
  Note: A patient’s own tweezers, nail clippers, or crochet hook may at times be part of the unit sharp count and signed out by patient for use if deemed clinically appropriate.
• Toxic liquids
• Weapons of any kind
  
• Wire hangers

Smoking Policy

Gracie Square Hospital is a smoke-free environment. Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, is not allowed anywhere in the hospital or in any area outside the hospital. Our treatment team is available to support patients in their smoking cessation efforts and can provide nicotine replacement therapies as needed.