For Visitors


In accordance with CDC and NYSDOH recommendations, and as a result of the high COVID hospitalization rate in Onondaga County, masking is now required in all patient care areas at St. Joseph’s Health.

Visiting Guidelines

At St. Joseph’s Health, our patients are at the heart of our Mission. We understand the separation of patients and their loved ones during a hospitalization can cause significant stress and anxiety. Therefore, we offer the visitation guidelines outlined below. 

General Visitation Guidelines 

  • All visitors must be 12 years of age or older except in cases where families are coping with end-of-life care. In this case, prior authorization from the clinical unit must be arranged. 
  • *End of life 
    • Please speak with unit manager 
  • *Patients requiring a support person 
    • Defined by NYS as a patient for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to the care of the patient (medically necessary) including patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and patients with cognitive impairments including dementia. 
    • Please check with unit manager for arrangements

Acute Care/Inpatient 

Maximum of 2 visitors in the room, 10:00AM to 8:00PM.

Labor and Delivery 

The mother may choose up to two coaches and one of them can be a doula. 

  • The doula must provide one of the following: NYS Certification form, a business card, proof of attendance at a Doula training course, or an identification badge; they are required to wear a badge that indicates doula status when in the hospital. 
  • Although the coaches and/or doula can remain with the mother during, labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum period, including recovery, we will not be able to offer overnight accommodations to both the coaches and the doula.

Unit 5-1/Postpartum Unit 

The birthing parent may choose one person who can remain in the room with the birthing parent and baby for the duration of the admission. 

  • Other visitors will be permitted, maximum of 2 visitors in the room, in addition to the overnight coach. 
  • Siblings, 12 years of age or older and not during NYS declared Flu or RSV season, may visit while accompanied by an adult other than the birthing parent. 

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

  • The patient is allowed up to four approved (by parents) visitors, besides the parents. 
  • No siblings are allowed in the NICU.

Emergency Department Visitation 

One visitor (2 for minors) for duration of ED visit; patients admitted and transferring to Acute Care/Inpatient unit will follow Acute Care/Inpatient guidelines.

CPEP 

Maximum of 2 visitors (18 years of age or older) for the duration of the CPEP ER visit. 

  • Once admitted to CPEP, visitation from 9 am to 8 pm except for pediatric patients who may have a caregiver remain with them after visiting hours. 
  • All visitation in CPEP is subject to the discretion of unit management. 

Surgery/Procedural Areas 

One visitor may accompany the patient day of procedure and wait in designated area; patients being admitted and transferring to an inpatient unit will follow Acute Care guidelines.

Unit 3-6 

Visitation by appointment. Contact the unit at 315-448-5360.

Additional notes regarding visitation 

  • St. Joseph’s Health may need to alter the above guidelines based on federal, state, or local health standards. 
  • All visitors should be free of infection or illness during their visits. Symptoms include, but are not limited to fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. 
  • 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.A Member of Trinity Health

ATM Location

A 24-hour automated teller machine that accepts Plus, Cirrus and Discover, among others, is located off the main hospital lobby.  There is also a change machine that accepts $1 and $5 bills located there.

Coffee Shop

The Holy Grounds Coffee Shop is located off the main hospital lobby, featuring specialty coffees and fresh baked, pastries, bagels, pretzels, cookies and light lunch fare. Open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 4:00PM.

Cafeteria/Food Court

  • The cafeteria is located on the second floor of the hospital across from the visitors’ elevators. The cafeteria is busiest Monday through Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. due to employee use.
  • A gourmet coffee bar is located off the main hospital lobby, featuring specialty coffees, pastries and light lunch fare. Hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday. 
  • Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday thru Friday 6:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., The Butternut Cafe & Bakery is located in the Emergency Services Building. Their tempting offerings include freshly baked pastries, muffins, cookies and croissants, made in house daily. For more substantial fare, The BC&B has fresh, made to order specialty sandwiches, panini's, flatbread pizzas, salads, and more. Click here for a menu.
  • Your family and visitors may wish to use the vending court, located off the main lobby, which features microwave ovens, vending machines and a quiet atmosphere. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Vending machines are located on all floors except levels 2, 4 and 5. For further directions, check with the information desk.

Gift Shop

Looking to brighten a patient’s room or celebrate the birth of a new child? Lori’s Gift Shop is located just in the hospital lobby. Here you can find a variety of unique gifts, greeting cards, balloons, fresh flowers and more.

Send an e-Card

Even with our new visitor restrictions, we are committed to keeping you connected with your loved one however we can. One of the very best ways to do that is with a patient greeting card.

Public Wireless Internet Access - iGuest

Public wireless Internet access is now available for St. Joseph's patients and visitors to use with their personal notebooks, laptops and other wi-fi mobile devices. iGuest may be accessed from any common public area and patient units within the hospital. Users are required to use battery power only when on patient units and in patient rooms for safety reasons. In addition, as with most wireless, public connections, iGuest is not secure, so users should not transmit sensitive information.

How To Connect

  • Click on “iGuest” network connection
  • Start your Internet Browser
  • Click CONNECT

Can’t Connect?

  • Try another location
  • Consult your device documentation or contact the manufacturer
  • Assist in troubleshooting by completing a Wireless Troubleshooting form found at the hospital lobby Information Desk.

NOTE: Hospital staff cannot troubleshoot problems. The user assumes all responsibility for the use of iGuest.

Parking

Information on parking locations and fees.