The Peru Gazette

Visitors continue to be welcome; waiting areas closed

PLATTSBURGH, NY (09/03/2021) – While visitors will continue to be welcome at The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), temporary changes to its visitation guidelines begin Tuesday, September 7 in effort to protect the health of patients, staff and the community as the region sees an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

On Tuesday, waiting areas throughout the facility will be closed and visitors will no longer have access to the Cafeteria or Gift Shop. Visitors will be required to remain in patient rooms for the duration of their visit and be masked at all times.

Other changes include:

• Those accompanying surgical patients will be asked to wait outside the facility and leave a phone number to be contacted when the patient’s procedure is complete.
• The Emergency Department waiting area will permit 1 support person for adult patients and 2 support people for pediatric patients.
• One support person will be permitted to accompany patients to Physician Offices/Outpatient Clinics located on the main campus. Both the patient and support person will be screened in the office. Waiting areas will be closed.

“Family members play an important role in the health of our patients. The changes in our Welcoming Policy balance the needs of our patients and the benefits of having loved ones near with our charge to protect their health and the health of our team,” explained Chief Medical Officer Lisa Mark, MD.

Patients may have up to two visitors at a time. Visitors are welcome on most nursing units seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. There are a few exceptions including the inpatient psychiatry units where visitors are welcome daily from 2 to 6 p.m. and the Skilled Nursing Facility where visitation is from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.

More information on visitation at CVPH is available at: UVMHealth.org/CVPHVisitation.