Updated November 6, 2023
Stony Brook University Hospital welcomes visitors to our hospital. To ensure the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, we do require the following.
Each patient is allowed to have two visitors (ages 12 and older) at one time between the hours of 11 am and 8 pm, and visitors will be able to switch out throughout the day. Exceptions will be made for visitors of:
- Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
- Patients with cognitive impairments, including dementia, that are deemed medically necessary
- Patients in imminent end-of-life situations or who need compassionate care
All visitors are encouraged but no longer required to wear a mask throughout all buildings and facilities of Stony Brook Medicine. Visitors for patients who are COVID positive must wear a mask at all times while in the patient room. Additionally, visitors will be required to show photo identification. Acceptable forms of photo identification include a driver’s license, passport, green card, government-issued ID and U.S. military ID.
At the end of the visit, all visitors are asked to check out at the designated visitor kiosks in the hospital lobby to allow for the next visitor to come to the unit.
Additional Visitor Guidelines
- Emergency Department: One visitor per patient.
- CPEP: Visitation can be facilitated in person and/or virtually based on the patient’s and visitors’ individualized needs.
- Child Psychiatry: Two visitors per child per visiting session.
- Adult Psychiatry: Two visitors per session, no switching of visitors.
- Hospice Unit: Unlimited visitation.
- Outpatient and Procedural Areas: Two visitors.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Two visitors are permitted (one must be a parent). Visitors must be ages 18 and older.
- Pediatrics/Pediatric Oncology (PONC)/Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU):
- A maximum of two visitors are permitted per patient (ages 12 and older), which includes siblings 5 years and older, at one time between the hours of 11 am and 8 pm.
- Parents and guardians have 24-hour access to their child in the hospital.
- Labor & Delivery: Two visitors (no visitors under age 18).
- Mother/Baby: In addition to allowing two visitors between the hours of 11 am and 8 pm, siblings and one support person will be permitted. The support person (to be identified by the patient upon admission) will be permitted to stay around the clock with the patient. Siblings age 1 and older are permitted between the hours of 11 am and 8 pm. Siblings and the support person are not included in the two-visitor count.
Patient Deliveries/Gifts
At this time, we are not accepting deliveries for patients. This includes deliveries from local florists, Amazon and UPS to name a few.
The Nuture Gift Shop, located in the main lobby of the hospital offers a delivery service, which includes fresh flower arrangements, balloon bouquets, stuffed animals, puzzle books and simple necessities. The Gift Shop is open weekdays, 7 am to 8 pm, and weekends, 10 am to 6 pm. For inquires or to place an order, please call (631) 444-3133.
When visiting patients, visitors are allowed to bring items, such as Mylar balloons (we do not allow latex balloons) or floral arrangements (we do not allow potted plants). In most areas of the hospital, these items are permissible with the exception of our intensive care units (ICUs) and/or if the patient has a restriction based on their treatment or diagnosis. Before the visit, it is best for visitors to check with unit staff to ensure the patient is permitted to have items brought to their room.
Thank you for your support in helping us to provide a safe and healing environment for everyone.
Updated March 13, 2023
After careful consideration and following the masking guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NYS Department of Health, patients and visitors are encouraged but no longer required to wear masks inside all hospitals, buildings and facilities of Stony Brook Medicine with one exception. The Long Island State Veterans Home continues to require that all employees, volunteers, students and visitors wear a mask when in a resident or registrant care area.
Stony Brook Medicine continues to enforce the applicable New York State Department of Health and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services mandates requiring vaccination against COVID-19 for students, volunteers, faculty and staff in our hospitals and healthcare facilities. To ensure the safety of our patients, healthcare providers and staff, it is imperative that we continue to take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
The COVID-19 vaccination requirements also cover all students enrolled in our Health Sciences schools, which means that students must have received a COVID-19 vaccine unless they have a medical exemption or religious accommodation. Additionally, students enrolled in any program or course or who are participating in a clinical placement or internship held at a third-party location must continue to comply with all health and safety guidelines, including any COVID vaccination or testing protocols that are in place at the third-party site.
Due to the emergence of many omicron variants, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has withdrawn its approval for use of the most recently available monoclonal antibody (bebtelovimab) as it offers no noticeable protection. Please discuss with your physician (ahead of time if possible) which currently available anti-COVID therapeutics (Paxlovid, IV remdesivir, molnupiravir) might be right for you, should you become infected with COVID-19.
Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine Information page for important facts to help you understand the vaccination process.
Vaccinations are now available for everyone ages 6 months and older.
COVID-19 home tests are available at no cost to New York state residents. Use the links below to learn more.
- Community-Based Testing Sites
To find low- or no-cost testing near you, visit Community-Based Testing Sites. - Tests From a Pharmacy or Store
The federal government has directed health insurance providers to cover FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 over-the-counter (OTC) diagnostic tests. - More Information on Testing
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Testing for COVID-19 webpage.
Updated June 16, 2022
If you have questions about COVID-19 testing, vaccine site locations and the Excelsior Pass, Stony Brook Medicine’s automated COVID Vaccine Helpline is here as a resource for you.
COVID Vaccine Helpline
(631) 638-1320
Updated February 26, 2021
If you think you have been exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
If you require evaluation by a medical professional or have been advised by your doctor to seek urgent medical care, please go directly to Stony Brook University Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Updated November 8, 2020
To deliver ongoing care and follow-up for adult patients who were infected with COVID-19, Stony Brook Medicine has established a Post-COVID Clinic offering multidisciplinary care provided by a team of specialists experienced in treating patients with COVID-19. Learn more.
Stony Brook Medicine is leading and participating in a number of research studies to identify new ways to treat patients with coronavirus. Learn more.
For the latest updates on the coronavirus, answers to frequently asked questions and more, visit: