F.F. Thompson Hospital Suspends Visits Due to COVID-19 Surge

With Ontario County Public Health reporting COVID-19 cases at a record high, UR Medicine Thompson Health is not permitting visitors at F.F. Thompson Hospital, effective Wednesday, Dec. 23.

“This difficult decision is not taken lightly. We are doing what we need to do in order to protect our patients and our associates as we continue to serve our community,” said President/CEO Michael F. Stapleton, Jr.

For the time being, visitors for maternity patients and patients who are deemed “imminent end of life” are exempted, though restricted. These visitors will be screened at the entrance and must present a driver’s license or similar form of identification, for contract tracing purposes.

In addition, children and individuals with developmental disabilities who require an advocate may be accompanied by their parent or advocate during a visit to the Emergency Department.

Thompson is urging the public to continue wearing face masks, practicing social distancing and practicing proper hand hygiene. In addition, Stapleton said, the public is asked to please keep holiday celebrations limited to the immediate household. “We appreciate the support of our community as we continue to work through this challenging situation,” he said.

  

Hospital Visitor Restrictions Update:

UPDATED December 23, 2020

F.F. Thompson Hospital has restricted visitations and will allow limited visitation for imminent end-of-life patients, maternity patients and cognitively impaired patients beginning Wednesday, December 23, 2020.

  • Visitor must be 18 or older and must present their driver’s license/ID at check-in.
  • Visitors will be screened and have their temperature taken in the lobby and must be asymptomatic.
  • Visitors must wear a mask at all times, including in the patient room.
  • Once arriving at the patient's room, visitors must remain in the room - no wandering.
Birthing Center:
  • Women in labor are allowed a designated support person +/- a doula.
  • Support person must stay at the bedside.
  • Support person may leave once per day and can return.
End Of Life:
  • Up to 2 visitors at the bedside for imminent end-of-life situations.
  • Visitors may rotate out but only 2 at the bedside at any given time.
Developmental Disability/Cognitive Impairment:
  • Patients may have an advocate with them if deemed medically necessary.
Pediatric patients:
  • Only one parent/guardian at the bedside.
  • Second parent/guardian may be identified and may visit but not on the same day.
Emergency Department/Surgical Care/Ambulatory Procedures Unit:
  • No visitors will be allowed in the Emergency Department or other outpatient areas within the hospital.

In accordance with Department of Health regulations, exceptions will be made only for patients for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to the care of the patient (medically necessary), including patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and patients with cognitive impairments, including dementia. In these situations, one patient support person will be allowed. Pediatric patients will also be allowed one patient support person.

All visitors required to present ID at check-in


As of December 1, 2020 all hospital visitors are required to present their driver’s license at check-in. For those without a license, another form of photo ID will be accepted. The ID will be scanned to record name and address only, and visitor badges will be handed out along with COVID visitation guidance:

  • Visitors must first check in with the floor’s Nursing station before proceeding to the patient’s room
  • Visitors must wear a mask at all times, even in the patient’s room
  • Once arriving at the patient’s room, visitors must remain in the room – no wandering

 This additional information is being collected at the mandate of New York State’s Department of Health for contact tracing purposes. You may be asked additional questions at check-in when arriving for a visit, depending on current COVID restrictions and any changes to contact tracing requirements. At this time, the need for photo ID is only required for inpatient hospital visitation. F.F. Thompson Hospital’s Emergency Department is not allowing visitors with exception of pediatric patients and patients for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to care (medically necessary), including patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and patients with cognitive impairments, including dementia.

Questions

Have questions about infection control and what is being done to protect your loved one from COVID-19?

Email icp@health.ny.gov, covidadultcareinfo@health.ny.gov, or covidnursinghomeinfo@health.ny.gov.

MM Ewing Continuing Care Interim Visitation Policy

The M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center is not currently open for visitation. This resumption date is unknown at this time, so please check back for updates. Video visits and weekly telephone updates continue as usual.

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Once visitation resumes, residents' families will be contacted to schedule a designated visitation session per New York State Department of Health Skilled Nursing Home Visitation guidelines (7/10/2020) (9/17/2020).

The safety of our residents, visitors and staff remains a top priority. We are asking that all visitors review the documents below, prior to their scheduled visit of MMECCC residents.

UPON ARRIVAL: Park and call (585) 396-6795 to let staff know you have arrived. You will receive further instructions at that time. Please don a mask as soon as you exit your car.

ENTERING THE BUILDING: Only scheduled visitors or those approved for end of life visits can enter building. An intercom is now located in the vestibule, connecting you to a receptionist. Any items being left for a loved one should be clearly marked with the resident's name and avenue, and left on the table in our vestibule. Our receptionist will retrieve the items once the vestibule is clear and will disinfect them, to the extent possible, prior to delivery to the resident. 

End of life visitations continue to be limited to one visitor. The MMECCC procedure continues to follow the New York State Department of Health: Health Advisory from 3/13/2020 up to and through 9/17/2020 Guidance.  We ask that all end of life visitors review these documents.

All visitors must monitor for signs and symptoms of respiratory infection for at least 14 days after visiting.If symptoms occur, the nursing home must immediately be notified of the last visit date, individuals they were in contact with, and locations visited within the facility. 

NYS COVID-19 Reopening Safety Plan (10/19/2020)

MMECCC COVID Visitation Policy (9/21/2020)

Visitor Fact Sheet (9/21/2020)

COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire: Visitor/Associate (11/19/2020)

 

How to Contact Elected Officials

A number of families of M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center residents have expressed interest in contacting state and federal lawmakers with their concerns regarding guidelines for nursing homes during the COVID-19 response.

As promised by UR Medicine Thompson Health Vice President of Long-Term Care Amy Daly during a teleconference with families on Aug. 13, Thompson is providing the contact information for a number of officials.

CLICK HERE for a PDF with information.

Clark Meadows Interim Visitation Policy

Resident Families may call 585-393-4330 to schedule a designated visitation session per New York State Department of Health ACF Home Visitation guidelines (9/17/2020).

The safety of our residents, visitors and staff remains a top priority. We are asking that all visitors review the documents below, prior to their scheduled visit of Clark Meadow residents.

With the cooler weather, please remember to drop off warmer clothes/a jacket for your loved ones, as visitation will continue outside until temperatures are below 60 degrees.

UPON ARRIVAL: Park and call (585) 393-4330 to let staff know you have arrived. You will receive further instructions at that time. Please don a mask as soon as you exit your car.

ENTERING THE BUILDING: Only scheduled visitors can enter the building when the temperature drops below 60 degrees. After screening, you will be directed where to park and what door to enter. Someone will be there to open the door for you. Any items being left for a loved one should be clearly marked with the resident's name and Apartment number, and left on the table in our vestibule. Our receptionist will retrieve the items once the vestibule is clear and will disinfect them, to the extent possible, prior to delivery to the resident.

The Clark Meadows procedures continues to follow the New York State Department of Health: Health Advisory from 3/13/2020 up to and through 9/17/2020 Guidance.

Clark Meadows Visitation Policy (9/21/2020)

Clark Meadows COVID-19 Visitor/Associate Screening Questionnaire

Visitation Fact Sheet (9/21/2020)

Ferris Hills & Clark Meadows Visitor Restrictions

Visitation Restriction
No visitors for Ferris Hills Until Further Notice

Clark Meadows visitation update letter, July 16, 2020

Ferris Hills/Clark Meadows Updates

 

Think you may be infected?

If you have a fever, cough, or new shortness of breath and are concerned about COVID-19,
follow these steps from the CDC  to help prevent your infection from spreading to people in your home and community.

BEFORE visiting your provider's office, Urgent Care, or the Emergency Room,
CALL your health care provider,
or the UR Medicine COVID-19 support line at 1-888-928-0011 for advice.