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Hospital for Special Surgery Logo
phone 1.212.606.1000
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Patient and Visitor Information

The health and safety of our patients, visitors and employees remains our top priority. We ask that you please follow these guidelines to keep everyone safe.

Visitor Policy

Day of Surgery or Procedure

  • Adult patients- One (1) visitor is permitted from arrival until the patient's procedure, and then the visitor may wait in the surgical waiting room. Visitors are not permitted to switch. There is no visitation in the PACU (recovery room). The visitor may rejoin for the discharge process or in the inpatient location as described below. The visitor must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Pediatric patients (21 years and younger) - Two (2) visitors are permitted from arrival until the patient's procedure, and then they may wait in the surgical waiting room. Only one (1) visitor is permitted in the PACU (recovery room). Visitors must be 18 years of age or older.

Inpatient Locations

    • Adult patients – Visitation hours for adult inpatients are from 8:00am – 8:00pm daily with a maximum of two visitors at the bedside. Additional visitors may wait in the lobby and rotate during visiting hours. Visitors must be 14 years of age or older.
      • Overnight visitors for adult patients are only allowed in private inpatient rooms. Only one overnight visitor is permitted and must remain the sole overnight visitor throughout the patient’s stay. Overnight visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
    • Pediatric patients (21 years and younger) - Two (2) visitors are permitted to visit at the same time from the hours of 8:00am - 8:00pm daily. Visitors must be 14 years of age or older.
      • Only one (1) visitor is permitted to stay overnight and must remain the sole overnight caregiver throughout the patient's stay. Overnight visitors must be 18 years of age or older.

Questions about your visit?

If you have nonmedical questions related to visiting HSS, communication with family and friends on the day of surgery or afterwards, please call our patient and family resource line at 212.774.7547.

Hospital rules and guidelines

The rules shown below apply in every patient room and recovery area. Please be mindful of other patients while visiting and always observe the rules listed in each area.

Image: Graphical icon indicating limiting cell phone use
Please silence your phone and refrain from making calls.
Image: Graphical icon indicating no photography permitted.
Please no photos, videos or video calls to respect privacy.
Image: Graphical icon indicating no sleeping permitted.
Do not visit if you have been sick or unwell for the past 48 hours.
Image: Graphical icon showing medical staff
Do not assist patients out of bed. Contact a staff member for help.
Icon of person having cheerful, quiet conversation
Carry on cheerful conversations in quiet tones with all patients.
Image: Graphical icon indicating no e-bikes or e-scooters permitted.
E-bikes and E-scooters are prohibited in all HSS facilities.

Contact Us

 

General Help Numbers:

  • Main Operator: 212.606.1000
  • 24-hour Patient Information: 212.606.1377
  • Patient & Family Resource Line: 212.774.7547
 

Patient & Family Atrium Phone Numbers:

  • 1st Floor: 646.797.8301
  • 4th Floor: 212.774.2201
  • 9th Floor: 212.774.2179
  • SPU (429 E 75th Street): 646.714.6768

Surgery Center Guides

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Below are common questions we receive from visitors on a daily basis. Our highly experienced staff is available to answer any questions or give further explanation of our services in person as well.

Is there a parking garage?
Yes. The HSS Belaire Building Garage is located at 525 East 71st Street, New York, NY 10021. Please refer to our neighborhood directory for the additional information on parking garages in the area.

Do you validate parking?
Even though we do not validate parking, the rate that is offered to our visitors and patient has been already discounted. Please refer to our neighborhood directory for the additional information on parking garages in the area.

Do you have a gift shop?
There is no gift shop at HSS. Pyramid Cafés (located in the 1st and 4th floors of the main building) offer newspapers, magazines, earphones, gum, snacks and refreshments for purchase.

Please refer to our neighborhood directory for pharmacies, convenience stores and flower shops in the area.

HSS branded clothing and accessories can be purchased online.

Can I take pictures of the hospital?
You can take pictures of the hospital as long as the picture does not include any people, names, numbers or any other kind of information that could be related to our patients, visitors and staff.

Is there coffee shop or cafeteria?
Yes. We have a few options for you:

  • Belaire Cafeteria is located in the Belaire Building at 525 E 71st Street. The cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours of operation: Mon-Fri 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Pyramid Cafés. Located in the Main Building at 535 E 70th Street. Cafes offer some snacks, sandwiches and refreshments for purchase.
  • 1st Floor. Main Hospital Lobby: Mon-Fri 6:00 am - 8:00 pm; Sat 7:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sun 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • 4th Floor. Family Atrium: Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Does Hospital for Special Surgery have an emergency room?
HSS does not have an emergency room, but we do offer same-day and next-day appointments for patients with sprains, strains and possible fractures. Learn more.

 

Due to the safety of staff and recovering patients, no visitors are allowed in the PACU recovery areas.

Thank You for Choosing HSS

Our organization has been dedicated to caring for people with musculoskeletal injuries and conditions for more than 160 years. Watch a gratitude and welcome message from HSS President and CEO Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA.