Baystate Health Announces New Inpatient, Outpatient Visitor Guidelines

SPRINGFIELD — As Massachusetts continues its reopening process and begins to lift restrictions on businesses and healthcare organizations, Baystate Health announced new inpatient and outpatient visitor guidelines, effective immediately.

“We are eager to welcome back visitors and to create a more healing environment for all with policies that are necessary to protect the health and safety of our patients and staff,” said Nancy Shendell-Falik, president of Baystate Medical Center and vice president of Operations for Baystate Health.

Visitation hours are daily from noon to 8 p.m. Non-COVID-19 patients at Baystate Medical Center, Baystate Noble Hospital, Baystate Wing Hospital, and Baystate Franklin Medical Center are allowed one visitor at a time in the hospital. Obstetrics patients who are in labor can have one birthing partner or one visitor. Baystate Children’s Hospital will now allow one parent or guardian or one visitor at a time (only one person will be allowed in the patient’s room at a time).

No visitors are allowed for COVID-19 patients at all hospitals, except: patients under the age of 18 are allowed one parent or guardian; obstetrics patients who are in labor are allowed one birthing partner; hospice patients and end-of-life patients are allowed one person or one clergy member per day; and intellectually or physically disabled patients are allowed one companion. Visitors will not be permitted in common areas such as waiting rooms, cafeterias, or gift shops, and must travel directly to and from the patient’s room when entering and leaving the hospital.

For patients attending outpatient appointments or visiting outpatient practices, no companions are allowed except: one parent or guardian for a patient age 18 or younger; and one caretaker for a completely dependent patient.

All visitation is at the discretion of Baystate Health. For the latest information on visitor guidelines, visit baystatehealth.org/visitors.