Providing patients a safe environment and quality care is very important to all staff and physicians at Baystate Health hospitals. We are committed to meeting your needs and providing a safe environment.
Is it safe to come to Baystate Health hospitals?
Baystate Health is working hard to make sure patients and staff are safe. If you have an emergency, do not hesitate to get the care you need.
You will be screened upon arrival.
When you come to any Baystate Health hospital entrance, you will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
If you have positive symptoms, you will be referred to your primary care doctor. Either your primary care provider or an urgent care center can refer you for testing.
If you are admitted to the hospital through the emergency department, you will be screened and then tested for COVID-19 (with results in about 8 hours) if they have symptoms.
You will not be allowed into the hospital unless you have symptoms that require immediate emergency medical attention, including but not limited to:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
All Baystate Employees will be wearing personal protective equipment.
In Massachusetts, residents are required to wear a cloth face mask while in public to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Baystate Health employees and healthcare providers are required to wear a mask inside the hospital in public areas, such as hallways. Some healthcare providers may wear additional pieces of protective equipment depending on their patient they are caring for.
Follow the visitor policy.
Help us keep patients and staff safe by following the current visitor policy. There are no visitors allowed in the hospital, with some exceptions.
Health and Safety Precautions
We remind you that many diseases can be spread by touching body fluids (such as blood, urine, etc.). We ask that patients and visitors call immediately for a nurse if assistance is required. Please do not touch any body fluids or medical supplies, such as tubes, bandages, etc. We know that visitors may want to help patients, but our nurses are trained to handle these substances with the proper precautions.
Your Personal Items
Please leave jewelry, valuables and large sums of money at home. Keep personal items that you need, such as dentures, eyeglasses and hearing aids, in protective cases in your bedside stand when not in use. We cannot take responsibility for these items.
Appliances: Due to fire and safety codes, personal televisions and small electrical appliances such as hairdryers, curling irons, and shavers are not permitted in the hospital. Please do not attempt to use any non-hospital items requiring the use of an electrical outlet. You may use battery-operated appliances.
When Visiting Patients
For the well-being of all of our patients, please do not visit a patient in the hospital if you are not feeling well, have a cold, or have been exposed to a contagious disease such as the flu, chicken pox, tuberculosis (TB), measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, or impetigo.
Please remember:
- No smoking: We are a smoke-free environment, and that it is important to follow our hand washing policies.
- No marijuana: We do not permit the possession or consumption of marijuana on Baystate Health premises. This includes medical marijuana in any form (such as edibles). If you feel that medical marijuana is required for health reasons, please speak with your health care provider to discuss possible alternatives during your hospital admission.
- Beds: Do not touch or sit on clean unoccupied beds in double rooms.
- Patient care: You may need to leave the patient's room if a nurse or physician needs to administer care during the visit.
- No latex balloons: Due to the increasing dangers or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions to latex rubber, latex balloons are not permitted to be brought or delivered to our patients or staff. Mylar balloons do not cause allergic reactions and are cheerfully accepted.
- Cell phones: Help us to ensure the safety of our patients by turning off your cellular phone and not using it in patient care areas, including hallways and patient rooms. Some cell phones interfere with medical equipment. You may safely use your cellular phone in physicians' offices, administrative areas of the hospital, and in cafeterias.
- Flowers and plants: are not permitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to spill hazards and potential transmission of bacteria.