Patients & Visitors

We’re here to assist you before, during and after your visit to Cayuga Health. Find everything you need to make your visit as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

Visiting Cayuga Medical Center

We know the value of visitors in the patients’ healing processes. We are glad that you’re here to see one of our patients and want to make your visit as comfortable as possible for both you and the patient.

Information for Patients About Your Visit to CMC

Thank you for choosing Cayuga Medical Center for your care. When you walk through our doors, as thousands do every day, we want you to feel our concern for the problems that brought you here, our confidence as caregivers, and our commitment to your well being. We want you to experience a healing environment.

The staff members on our Admissions team are among the first people you will meet. We are the front line of customer service for the new “Main Entrance” of Cayuga Medical Center. We greet you as you come through the door and direct you to your desired location.

Our colleagues in Central Scheduling handle the task of scheduling all outpatient procedures at Cayuga Medical Center and our Convenient Care Centers at Ithaca and Cortland. They also schedule all wellness programs for three different companies. These team members obtain authorization codes when available from doctors’ offices and insurance companies.

Within our Central Scheduling team’s scope of responsibility are two other functions that are performed at different locations. One is the scheduling of procedures for the Thyroid Clinic, the Ithaca Center for Pain Management, the Sleep Disorders Clinic, and the Oncology Department. The other is to coordinate the daily schedule of each different type of imaging study performed at both the medical center and the Convenient Care Campus at Ithaca.

Patient Directed Visitation

Cayuga Health is excited to share that we are implementing Patient Directed Visitation effective June 27, 2023.  This policy is consistent with Cayuga Health’s Person Centered care.

The goal of Patient Directed Visitation is to create an environment that provides comfort, promotes healing and protects the privacy of all patients in the hospital.

 Patient Directed Visitation applies to Cayuga Medical Center 24-hour inpatient patient care units: 4N, 4S, SSU, PMRU, ICU, and Peds.

 Special check-in procedures and/or restricted number of access points to the hospital after daytime hours will promote a safe and secure environment after
hours. For CMC between the hours of 6pm-5am, visitors will enter through the ED where Security will log them in and issue a badge.

 Note that all visitors/Care Partners after daytime hours will be issued a badge, and should remain in close proximity to the patient they are visiting.

 In the event of medical emergencies or other clinical activities, public health or other safety concerns, visitors may be asked to leave the unit temporarily to ensure the healing, comfort, privacy, and safety of patients.

With any questions, please ask your loved one’s nurse.

Registration

We now have four registration desks. Our main admission area is located on the second level Main Lobby area. Just down the hall are our Lab, Imaging and Emergency Department registration areas.

When you are coming to Cayuga Medical Center for surgery or outpatient services there are a few things you must bring with you each time. We will always need to see your insurance card(s) and an identification card (your driver’s license, for example). This assures us that we are registering the correct patient, which we need to do for safety and security reasons.

We will ask for all of your demographic information (address, phone number, etc) and then scan your insurance card(s) and identification card. This information will be placed in your medical record. We will then enter an order for the test or tests that you are to have that day and direct you to your destination.

Please plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early so that we can complete your registration and get you to your test on time.

If you are coming for surgery you should not have to bring anything, unless you were instructed to bring your medications. Wear comfortable clothing. If you know you will be staying overnight or longer, you’ll need to bring personal items and Your

Hospital Physician

When you need to be admitted directly to Cayuga Medical Center, your physician will contact the hospitalist on call. Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in the care of hospitalized patients and who practice medicine only in the hospital setting, not in an office. They are trained in internal medicine and are well versed in the unique needs of acutely ill, hospitalized patients.

Your primary care doctor will talk with the hospitalist about why you need to be admitted and will share important information about your medical history. The hospitalist will provide your care throughout your stay in the hospital, and will communicate with your doctor from the time you are admitted to the time you are discharged. Our hospitalists are here 24 hours a day and are accessible to you, your family, and the nursing staff. Whether you have a question or you need urgent medical attention, your hospitalist is available to meet your needs.

If you are seen in the Emergency Department and need to be admitted to Cayuga Medical Center, the hospitalist will see you there and throughout your stay in the hospital. If you do not have a regular physician and you have a medical condition that needs follow-up after your discharge, your hospitalist will arrange for a physician in the community to see you.

what our patients are saying

“I have had many occasions visiting CMC for myself and family. We have never had a bad experience there at all. Last October I had surgery and the nurses were amazing especially my night nurse. Thank you to all CMC staff for doing what you do every day with a smile.”

“I have been a Hemo dialysis patient for almost Five years. Prior to dialysis and during dialysis I have had several trips to the ER, due to other health issues & was admitted to CMC more than a few times. Each and every time I’ve been there, whether in patient or out, I have been treated with respect, professionalism, and efficiency. I give this hospital 2 thumbs up!! Thank you CMC for taking care of me all these years!!”

“The staff and accommodations at Cayuga Birthplace are amazing!!! This is what it I imagine it would feel like to be a celebrity getting VIP treatment. I wish I could stay longer – even the food options are 5 Star! The amenities are great. Everything is clean and designed beautifully. Not a single complaint, only praises!”

“I have to say the last couple visits that I’ve had here have been wonderful. About a month ago I had an EGD and the staff were amazing! Explained everything in detail and made me feel at ease. I was very nervous and the nurse I had was very comforting. Tonight we had to take my son to the emergency room and they were awesome with him! We got right in. “