The NYS State Health Commissioner has determined that influenza activity is now prevalent. 

To protect our patients, visitors and staff, the following guidelines are in effect.

Hours:

St. Peter’s and Samaritan Hospitals 
7 Days a Week, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital
7 Days a Week, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

General Visitation Guidelines:

• A maximum of two visitors will be permitted in a patient’s room at any one time.
• Children under 12 will be prohibited from visiting patients’ rooms, as they are more likely to have and transmit respiratory infections. Exceptions may exist such as in cases where families are coping with end-of-life care. In this case, prior authorization from the clinical unit must be arranged.
• Visitors who are ill are restricted from visiting.
• Additional restrictions may apply based on location.
• Pediatric patients may have up to 2 designated support persons with them at all times, including during pediatric procedures, and these individuals may rotate.

Visitors Allowed Outside of Visitation Hours:

• Special Needs Patients – Patients with special needs who have an intellectual and/or developmental disability or cognitive impairment (including dementia, delirium, sundowning, or other cognitive disorders) where the support person is determined to be essential to the care of or maintaining the safety of the patient. Requires a provider order or documentation of cognitive impairment.
• End-of-life/Hospice Care – Underage visitation may be permitted in limited instances if the minor child is visiting a parent and is accompanied by an adult; prior authorization from the clinical unit must be arranged. Exceptions may be granted by Hospice or Nursing leadership for more than 2 visitors at the bedside.
• Discharge Companion – Patients who require a discharge companion to facilitate a safe discharge.
   

Department-Specific Restrictions:

• Emergency Department – Visitors are limited to 2 individuals per roomed patient and 1 visitor per hallway patient. These individuals are allowed to switch out during the duration of the patient’s stay in the ED. Pediatric patients may have up to 2 designated support persons with them at all times. (Exceptions to this will be made at the discretion of ED clinical staff.)
• Women’s and Children’s Department (including Labor and Delivery & Postpartum) – Maximum of 2 support people/visitors are permitted, at a time, at patient be side during visiting hours. After visiting hours, only 2 unique support people, identified with a blue bracelet, will be permitted.
• NICU – Adults (18 and older), during visitation, must be accompanied by infant’s parent/ guardian with ID band. Maximum of 2 people at infant’s bedside. Masking is required.
• Inpatient Behavioral Health – 1 visitor at a time, with a maximum of 1 visitor per time slot. Visiting hours are daily, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday/Sunday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Masking is required by Gero in flu season. Visitors under the age of 18 are not allowed – exceptions to be approved by the Attending MD.
• Procedural Areas – 2 visitors may wait in the pre-procedure waiting room and discharge areas. Recovery areas remain closed to visitors with exceptions allowed based on special circumstances outlined below. Only 1 of the visitors is permitted in the bay area during patient intake. The exception is in cardiovascular services, where space permits only 1 visitor in pre-/post-procedure area and none in the bay area during patient intake.
• Cardiovascular Services Area – 2 people in the waiting area. No visitors in the bays unless special circumstances.
• St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center (SPARC) – SPARC Inpatient programs including SPARC-Detox, SPARC-Guilderland and SPARC-St. Mary’s DO NOT have any visiting hours for patients.
   

Additional Notes Regarding Visitation:

• St. Peter’s Health Partners may need to alter the above guidelines based on federal, state, or local health standards.
• Visitors may be asked to step out of the room or to not visit, should their presence interfere with providing safe care.
• Visitors are not permitted to use the restrooms in the patient rooms.
• Violence, foul language, and abusive behaviors are NOT acceptable. These behaviors may result in removal from this facility and/or prosecution.
• Visitors who fail to agree to this guidance will be asked to leave the hospital.
• Visitors are required to comply with all posted signage.
   

These guidelines are effective November 16, 2026.
 

Visitors are required to comply with all posted signage.