Cooley Dickinson Implements New Visitor-restriction Plan, Announces Cancellations

NORTHAMPTON —  Effective today, March 13, new visitor restrictions at Cooley Dickinson Hospital have begun. In addition, all public classes, events, and programs are cancelled until further notice.

“We are making every effort to keep our patients, visitors, and workforce safe,” said Angela Belmont, Cooley Dickinson Health Care’s chief Nursing officer. “These are difficult decisions to make — limiting visitors and cancelling classes — but this is what we must do for the health and safety of our community. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and support during this evolving situation.”

Consistent with the organization’s commitment to prevent further community spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the new visitor regulations limit visitors to only one per patient. At the hospital, visitors will be required to check in with a greeter prior to visiting any inpatient. The visitor desk is located down the hall from the main-entrance lobby (near the Stork elevators).

When the visitor checks in, they will be asked the room number of the patient they intend to visit and will be issued a visitor sticker. The desk will be staffed with greeters during visiting hours, which are daily, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors will be asked to check out with the greeter when they leave.

The North Building will continue to be the primary entrance for patients who are being treated in the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and at the Kittredge Surgery Center. Any visitor who is not accompanying a patient going to either of those areas will be redirected outside to the main entrance to check in with the greeter.

Cooley Dickinson has been closely monitoring the evolving response and guidance from local and national officials regarding COVID-19. To protect the health of patients and staff and to follow public-health guidance to help slow the spread of COVID-19, Cooley Dickinson is discontinuing all public use of its conference rooms and community space, also effective March 13.

This includes all Cooley Dickinson-sponsored support groups and events held at the 30 Locust St., Northampton campus and at any of the Cooley Dickinson satellite locations.