CAH Visitor & Patient Information - What You Need to Know

At Carthage Area Hospital (CAH), we understand the current COVID-19 pandemic has created a great deal of uncertainty within our community. The news changes daily, and most of our lives have been thrown into a new normal as businesses and schools remain closed, and we are asked to isolate at home.

With so many unknowns, we want you to rest assured knowing CAH remains open and our healthcare professionals are actively ready to assist you during these times. Despite the evolving and ongoing pandemic, we remain dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized care to our patients and their loved ones for emergent and essential in-person appointments, testing, treatment, procedures, and surgeries.

However, we also understand there are valid concerns about visiting a doctor’s office, ER, or hospital right now. We’ve compiled a list of answers to frequently asked questions about what to expect when you visit a CAH facility, our telemedicine offerings, as well as the safety procedures we have in place to protect our patients during their visit.

Frequently Asked Questions About In-Person Visits

Is my doctor’s office open?

All CAH practices remain open for our patients who require essential healthcare services. Additionally, several of our specialty services are being offered to patients via our secure telemedicine services. For more information, we encourage you to contact your physician directly.

Is the Walk-In clinic open?

The CAH Walk-In Clinic remains open to the public at large. If you wish to seek medical treatment at the walk-in clinic, we ask that you please call prior to your arrival. This allows our medical professionals and care providers to prescreen all patients, as well as to determine if you are eligible for a telemedicine visit.

Carthage Walk-In Clinic Temporary Hours of Operations:

Monday – Friday

9am – 5pm

(315) 519-5830

Is it safe to visit the ER?

If you require medical attention, our emergency room facilities are safe to visit. The medical professionals at CAH have developed several steps and policies to ensure the safety of all of our patients. In addition to COVID screening, cleaning, and sanitizing procedures, CAH maintains separate units for treating patients with COVID-19 symptoms.

Do not risk your life by postponing treatment due to fear of exposure to COVID-19. If you are experiencing symptoms of a stroke, heart attack, or any other life threatening emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room to seek immediate care.

Please be advised:

If you are a patient seeking emergency medical care, please call (315) 519-5478 prior to your arrival.
If you are a patient with an appointment at the hospital, please call (315) 519-5564 or (315) 519-5565 prior to entering the building.

I’m concerned about being exposed to COVID-19. What are you doing to protect patients during their visits?

While it’s important to be aware of the seriousness of COVID-19, it’s also just as important to take care of your health. At CAH, we do not want you to risk your health by delaying care.

The following procedures have been established in accordance with the direction of the NYS Department of Health to ensure all of our patients remain healthy during their visit:

All patients visiting our facilities are pre-screened for COVID-19 symptoms before arriving for their visit.
All patients, staff, and providers are screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering CAH facilities, to include a temperature check.
All patients are required to wear a mask or face covering while on the premises.
All patients are required to adhere to our social distancing measures when there are other patients in the waiting areas.
We have a team of professionals solely dedicated to thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing our sites throughout the day.

Does CAH provide Telemedicine visits?

CAH currently provides telemedicine options for those patients who seek medical consultation for non-emergent or life threatening medical concerns. Our telemedicine services provide a great option for our patients who prefer to have a video visit, as well as for patients who do not require diagnostic testing, lab work, or treatments. If you are unsure whether you need a video appointment or require an in-office visit, please contact your doctor’s office.

The following clinics are conducting telemedicine visits:

Walk-In Clinic: The Walk-In Clinic is encouraging patients to call prior to coming in. This initial call will determine if your symptoms are fit for a telemedicine visit (video conferencing) or if you require an onsite visit before you leave your home.
Carthage Family Health Center: Primary Care and Pediatrics
Behavioral Health
Women’s Way to Wellness
School Based Health Centers: Carthage Middle School, Carthage High School, LaFargeville Central School, and Beaver River Central School
Philadelphia Medical Center
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Urology
Orthopedics
General Surgery

My child is due for a well-visit, including some vaccinations. Are in-person pediatric appointments available?

CAH currently provides well-visits and immunizations onsite, as well as in our School Based Health Centers (to include at Carthage Middle School, Carthage High School, LaFargeville Central School, and Beaver River Central School). We encourage you to stay on schedule with your child’s well-visits, especially when it comes to maintaining their vaccinations. Additionally, our pediatricians continue to offer telemedicine services to children of all ages.

Frequently asked questions about surgical procedures and labor and delivery

Are you still conducting surgical procedures?

Carthage Area Hospital has resumed scheduling elective surgeries effective Monday, May 4, 2020. Our medical and surgical teams have incorporated a process for screening & testing, which provides a high-level of patient and staff safety. All patients will be tested for COVID-19 prior to their scheduled surgery.

Can I postpone my surgery? If so, when will I be able to reschedule?

As with any planned surgery or procedure, we must weigh the risk of delay with the benefit of having your surgery. Please contact your doctor to discuss the best timing for your surgery as it pertains to your specific health needs.

Is it safe to come to the hospital to have a baby or surgery?

CAH has strict procedures in place for surgical patients. Additionally, the hospital is still the safest place to deliver your baby. The following procedures have been established in accordance to the direction of the NYS Department of Health to ensure all of our patients remain healthy during their visit:

CAH maintains separate units for COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative patients. If you are not a COVID-19 positive patient, you will not be treated in the same unit as those patients who have tested positive for the virus.
Patients scheduled for surgery are tested for COVID-19 before their surgery is performed.

Am I allowed to accompany my loved one in the hospital during labor and delivery or surgery?

At the direction of NYS Department of Health, all hospital visitations are now suspended, EXCEPT for patient support persons, or family members and/or legal representatives of patients in imminent end-of-life situations.

Additionally, laboring women are permitted at least one support person for the duration of their stay as medically appropriate. Any and all visitors meeting these exceptions will be screened for symptoms or potential exposure to someone with COVID-19 before entering the hospital facility.

Can I visit my family member at the Meadowbrook Terrace assisted-living facility?

In accordance with the NYS Department of Health, the hospital’s assisted-living facility, Meadowbrook Terrace, is currently restricting visitors. Family members and loved ones should contact the administrator, Lyn Smith, at (315) 519-1246 with any questions or concerns.

What is the best way to make an appointment?

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, please contact your doctor for scheduling assistance. If you are unsure of how to contact your doctor or clinic, please visit the CAH hospital website for more information at https://www.carthagehospital.com/patients-visitors/phone-directory/