Effective Monday, November 14, hospital visiting hours are expanded to 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. every day. Also, hospitalized patients’ four designated visitors may visit on the same day as long as only two visit at the same time and only during visiting hours.
Any modifications to the visitor policy will be updated on this page. You are encouraged to read the visitor policy fully and carefully before every visit. Roswell Park does not discriminate against visitors based on race, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nationality or disability.
We must continue to protect our most vulnerable patients and we appreciate everyone’s continued cooperation with the important public health measures of masking and physical distancing while at Roswell Park. We remain confident that the continued rollout of the vaccines and growing data about their impact will keep us inching forward toward resuming our normal lives.
Inpatient visitor guidelines
The details below outline the guidelines for patients and their visitors for the protection of our providers, staff, patients and visitors — a priority we have diligently maintained throughout the pandemic through strict and prudent safety protocols.
Inpatient visiting hours and requirements
Inpatients may designate four visitors, but only two of these visitors may visit at the same time and only during visiting hours.
Hospital visiting hours are 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. every day, including weekends and holidays.
All visitors coming to see admitted Roswell Park inpatients:
- Must present proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19, such as the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (paper or electronic copy) or a New York State Excelsior Pass.
- A visitor who is unvaccinated may provide proof of a negative polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) test taken within the past 72 hours to the screener.
- If proof of vaccination or negative PCR test is not presented upon screening, caregivers or visitors will not be allowed to enter Roswell Park facilities.
- Symptom screening upon entry - you will see signs asking you to self-screen for possible symptoms of COVID-19 or exposures to COVID-19. If you have any of the listed symptoms, please stop at the Information Desk for further instruction.
Please note: Visitation is not possible for patients who are under COVID-19 precautions because they have or are being assessed for COVID-19. Exceptions will be granted only in rare cases where unusual circumstances are present.
Exceptions to the hospital visitation policy
If your or your loved one’s situation falls into any of the below categories, please speak with your nursing care team for additional information.
- Pediatric inpatients (21 years of age or younger)
- Inpatients for whom a support person is deemed medically necessary, including patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and patients with cognitive impairments including dementia
- Patients in imminent end-of-life situations. These essential visitations will be approved and managed through the Palliative Care Service.
Visitors from out of state
- Asymptomatic visitors entering New York from another U.S. state or territory, or from Canada by land, are allowed to visit.
- Asymptomatic visitors arriving from an international location, with the exception of visitors arriving by land from Canada, must comply with all current New York State recommendations for testing and quarantine before they may visit.
Ambulatory/outpatient guidelines
Effective July 18, 2022:
- One individual may accompany a patient to outpatient clinic appointments.
- Two individuals are allowed with patients undergoing an ambulatory surgery procedure.
- Support persons under the age of 18 are not allowed.
- Individuals age 70 years or older, are not encouraged to be support persons at this time due to increased risk of COVID-19 infection.
Requirements for ALL individuals accompanying patients in the CSC Infusion Center:
- Infusion Center waiting room must be for patient use only. Visitors will need to wait in other designated areas of the hospital either with the patient or alone until the treatment room is ready; staff can call visitors once a patient is seated using a cell phone number provided at check in.
- One visitor allowed with the patient – no exceptions.
- Visitors must stay with the patient and not be circulating in the chemo clinic area.
- Visitors are not allowed to eat while in the Infusion Center.