UHS Suspends Hospital Visits

The recent uptick in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Broome County is prompting one large health care provider to sideline patient visits.

According to a post on the UHS Wilson Medical Center facebook page, United Health Services is temporarily suspending visitation at Wilson and Binghamton General Hospitals in a move that took effect Saturday, October 16.

Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News

The provider says the temporary suspension is to ensure staff, patient and visitor safety “during the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19.”

There are exceptions for support people and things like end-of-life situations which are outlined on the UHS website. Two support persons can be designated for Labor and Delivery for maternity patients and individual parents will be allowed in Neonatal Intensive Care

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Visits and support persons that are allowed are restricted to one approved person at a time and visitors are restricted to how many times they can be with a patient, are restricted to areas they are allowed, like only in the patient’s room, have to be screened and practice appropriate protocols and distancing. They may also be required in some cases to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and be escorted by UHS staff.

Questions can be directed to the UHS COVID-19 Command Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7-days a week at (607) 763-5012 (extension 35012).

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