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Visiting Hours and Policies

Overview & Hours for Visitors (Care Partners)

For hospitals in zones that allow visitation (based on CDC, DPH, and State guidelines), the hours continue to be daily from 8 am to 8 pm

All locations are coded in red, yellow, green and gray tiers (also called zones) for visitation. The tiers are based on the number of COVID-19 positive patients in a city or town and how prevalent the virus is. Red zones are considered at the highest risk for COVID-19 followed in decreasing risk by yellow, green and gray zones.

All Visitors Must Wear Masks

ALL visitors (also referred to as "care partners") must adhere to Baystate Health infection control practices that are in effect throughout our organization: wearing facemasks at all times even while in patient rooms, frequent handwashing, maintaining physical/social distance of 6 feet as possible, and no eating in patient rooms.

Current Hospital and County Tiers and Policies

All Baystate Health hospitals are in the yellow tier. See current hospital and county details.

Changes (for patients who do not have COVID-19) include:

  • 2 visitors at a time for inpatients
  • 1 visitor at a time for adult emergency department
  • 2 parents/guardians at a time for pediatric emergency department
  • 2 parents/guardians at a time for Baystate Children's Hospital
  • 2 visitors at a time for patients in the ICU
  • Up to 2 designated care partners in room for childbirth delivery; 1 designated care partner may stay for the duration of the postpartum recovery. 1 additional visitor may visit during visitation hours.
  • Children ages 5-18 must be accompanied by an adult if visiting. No children visiting COVID+ patients.
  • 1 care partner for surgical patients (Exception: 2 parents/guardians in pre-op and post-procedure area for pediatric patients.)

Changes for Patients Who Have COVID-19

  • 2 visitors at a time for COVID-positive inpatients. No children under 14 unless a designated exception.     

Hampden County

Berkshire County

Franklin County

Hampshire County

 

What are the screening procedures for visitors?

Visitor Screening

All care partners will be screened and must be 10 days after symptom onset of COVID-19 as well as not being exposed to others with COVID-19 infection during the prior 10 days.

Upon arrival, all visitors must wear a mask provided by the facility and sanitize hands. If you have positive symptoms, you will not be allowed into the building. Please contact your primary care doctor or an urgent care center for a testing referral.

If a care partner has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the prior 10 days, they must have been diagnosed at least 5 days prior to visiting the facility and not have symptoms of COVID-19 infection. All visitors must be able to wear a face mask at all times.

Visitors Check-in and Out

For the continued safety of patients, care partners and staff during the coronavirus pandemic, all Baystate Health hospitals have implemented a visitor check-in log as part of our visitation policy.

  • All care partners will be screened and must be free of any COVID-19 symptoms as well as not being exposed to others with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the prior 5 days
  • Each care partner will view the signage placed at the entrance regarding possible symptoms of COVID-19 and self-screen. If a care partner is experiencing any of the listed symptoms, we ask that they delay their visit until symptoms subside OR that they do not accompany the patient to their scheduled appointment.
  • Healthcare providers will advise any ill-appearing care partner that they must leave the hospital.

Visitors coming to Baystate Medical Center should allow extra time for our enhanced check-in process, especially during peak visiting hours.

Are masks required in Baystate Health buildings?

Masks are required

To best protect you and our caregivers, the Commonwealth's mask order now requires all patients and visitors to wear masks at all times. Patients and visitors must wear masks issued by Baystate Health (like the ones currently distributed at our entrances) rather than a mask brought from home. There is no charge for the masks and they will be available at the COVID-19 screening tables at our hospital entrances. 

Learn more about COVID-19 safety.

Where should I park? Are valet services available?

Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Children's Hospital

Free parking 24 hours a day/seven days a week. Valet services are at the following locations:

  • Daly lobby: 8 am – 4:30 pm l Monday - Friday
  • Wesson lobby: 8 am – 4:30 pm l Monday - Friday
  • Chestnut Building: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm l Monday - Friday
  • Emergency Department: 9 am – 12 am l Monday – Friday

Baystate Franklin Medical Center

Parking is available at the main entrance and ground floor entrance for patients and visitors.

Baystate Wing Hospital and Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center

Parking is available at the main entrance and at 1st floor entrance for patients and visitors.

Where are the hospital visitor entrances?

Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Children's Hospital

  • Daly or Wesson entrances from 8 am – 8 pm daily
  • Chestnut Building for patients only – Main entrance under the canopy from 5 am – 7 pm daily

Baystate Franklin Medical Center

  • Baystate Franklin Medical Center main entrance 164 High Street

Baystate Noble Hospital

  • Main Lobby and Surgical Services entrances only.

Baystate Wing Hospital and Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center

  • Baystate Wing Hospital Main Entrance (ground floor)
  • Baystate Wing Hospital Day Surgery Entrance (first floor)
  • Baystate Wing Hospital Emergency Room Entrance (ground floor)
  • Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center main entrance

Where are visitors allowed within hospitals?

Visitors who do not follow these guidelines will be asked to leave the building.

When you arrive

If two other people are visiting the patient you will be visiting, you may use the waiting rooms to wait before visiting the patient. Once the visitors have left, you may enter the lobby and proceed with the screening process. We will provide you with a mask and hand sanitizer. If you have positive COVID-19 symptoms, you will not be allowed into the building.

After screening, start at the information desk

After being screened, washing hands and placing on a mask, the visitors will report to the main information desk where they entered for help with patient room location, wayfinding, and general information.

Follow guidelines for public spaces within hospitals

  • Visitors are permitted access to food only in public retail spaces and dining rooms. Please follow occupancy guidelines for table and chairs for eating in the dining rooms and retail space seating.
  • Visitors are permitted to use public bathrooms.

Are outside items allowed inside Baystate Health hospitals?

Food

Food brought from home must be eaten at the time of delivery as it cannot be refrigerated or microwaved.

Flowers

Yes, outside flowers are allowed including from home or family.

Exceptions: Flowers are not allowed for patients in ICU or vulnerable to infection.

Are visitors allowed in outpatient centers and practices?

Baystate Medical Practices & Outpatient Services

Our outpatient practices are currently in the yellow tiers, which means 1 care partner allowed provided enough space for distancing unless an exception applies. 1 parents/care partners are allowed at a time with pediatric patients.

Please see the policy (linked in the list above) for the location you'll be visiting for more details.

What are the policies for OBGYN patients and visitors?

Prenatal/Ultrasound Appointments

  • 1 support person/care partner is allowed provided there is enough space for distancing.

Labor and Delivery 

  • Up to 2 designated care partners (visitors) in room during delivery and up to 2 hours immediately after delivery.
  • 1 care partner may stay for the duration of the hospital stay an come an go throughout the day
  • 1 additional care partner may visit during visitation hours. Both care partners can be at the bedside together. 
  • Children between the ages of 5-18 may visit if accompanied by an adult, one at a time.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Continuing Care Nursery (CCN)

  • Both parents may visit the newborn together wearing masks.

What personal items can I bring from home?

We will provide you with one clear plastic, 2-gallon, zip-top bag when you enter the building. All items must fit into one bag, as only one bag is permitted per patient. Important personal items include, but are not limited to:

  • Eye Glasses
  • Dentures
  • Hearing Aids
  • Cell Phone

Food and drinks from outside are not allowed, with some exceptions when necessary.

Baystate Health will not be responsible for lost or stolen personal items.

See our what to expect when staying at the hospital, including bringing items from outside, support and amenities, and leaving the hospital.

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