Nuvance Hospital Visitors Will Need Vaxx Proof Or Negative Test

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Effective Oct. 5, visitors to Nuvance Health hospitals and facilities — including Northern Dutchess Hospital, Putnam Hospital and Vassar Brothers Medical Center — must provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours.

This also includes inpatients, emergency departments, ambulatory services and Nuvance Health Medical Practices in New York and Connecticut.

“This visitation change is a very important way to limit the risk of our patients, visitors and staff to COVID-19,” Chief Experience Officer Steve Meth said in Wednesday's announcement.

Nuvance Health’s Visitation Policy permits one support person per day for patients not suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.

“We know visitors and loved ones play an essential role as partners in healing and wellness, and we continually evaluate these guidelines with experts from nursing, infection prevention and physician leaders to craft the safest possible path to keep a loved one at our patients’ side in their moment of need," Meth said.

Special populations and visitors with extenuating circumstances may be asked to provide documentation, but it is not a requirement to visit.

“Fully vaccinated” means the visitor had a second Pfizer or Moderna dose or a single-dose J&J vaccine at least two weeks prior to their hospital visit.

Acceptable types of documentation include a physical or digital copy or photocopy of the visitor’s vaccine card or documentation from the visitor’s healthcare provider showing dates of vaccination, provider name and World Health Organization approved vaccine administered.

Antigen and molecular tests are acceptable forms of COVID-19 testing as is any at-home test that is observed and verified (results showing name, date and negative result) by a healthcare provider or licensed COVID-19 testing center.

All visitors to Nuvance health facilities must continue to wear a face mask.

Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 will be allowed visitation only for extenuating circumstances and special patient populations.

Nuvance is one of the biggest employers in the Hudson Valley and western Connecticut, serving about 1.5 million residents with 2,600 doctors, seven hospitals and multiple outpatient, primary, specialty and non-acute care locations.

To read its visitation policy, visit nuvancehealth.org/visitationpolicy.