In Updated Policy, No Visitors Allowed in Any Baystate Hospital

SPRINGFIELD — As Baystate Health continues to assess its visitor policy to protect patients, employees, and the community, its policy has been updated to no visitors allowed in any hospital, except for certain exceptions at the discretion of Baystate.

These exceptions include: one parent or guardian for a patient under age 18, one birthing partner for a woman in labor, one person at a time for a hospice or end-of-life patient, one clergy member for an end-of-life patient, or one caretaker for a completely depending patient.

The policy is in effect at all Baystate Health hospitals, including Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield, Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer, Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, and Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield. Cases meeting the guidelines for exceptions will be screened prior to visitation.

Baystate Health’s visitation policy during this time is designed to reduce patient and employee exposure to illness.