ALERTS & COVID-19 UPDATES

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For Patients & Visitors

Our Visitation Policy

Beth Israel Lahey Health has taken a number of steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in order keep our patients and staff safe. Please review our updated visitor policy below. Additional COVID-19 resources, including information on testing and vaccination, can be found here.

Visitor Guidelines

We understand the importance of being able to visit a patient while they are in the hospital, however, we have put temporary visitor limitations in place to help protect everyone from COVID-19. Thank you for your cooperation during this time.

If you are looking to reschedule an appointment or to make a telehealth appointment please contact your provider for more information.

 The hospital’s current visitor policy is as follows (effective 3/8/2021):

PATIENT CARE AREA CURRENT RESTRICTIONS
COVID-19 positive or suspected COVID-19 positive patients, and patients on precautions No visitors are allowed. Exceptions
must be approved by the care team in very special circumstances.
INPATIENT UNITS

All patients may have one (1) visitor per day.

Visiting hours are from 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Visitors are strongly discouraged while aerosol-generating procedures are being performed in the patient’s room.

All visitors must wear a BILH-provided surgical mask, fully covering the nose and mouth, at all times while in the hospital.

Children under the age of 18 may not visit unless they are visiting a hospitalized parent or sibling and are at least 12 years old. Children under 12 are not allowed due to infection control risk associated with potential viral respiratory illnesses. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

Visitors must remain in the room with the patient unless otherwise instructed by staff.

  • Visitors may not wait in cafeterias or lobbies due to physical distancing requirements.
  • Visitors should not walk in the halls or visit the kitchen on the unit.
  • If the visitor must leave the patient, such as during a procedure, the visitor is asked to leave the facility until contacted to return.
  • Visitors may not eat or drink in the patient’s room.

Designated support persons for patients with intellectual and/or physical disabilities should be provided reasonable access to treatment areas as well as access to food and bathroom facilities.

All persons must practice physical distancing while in the facility.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT Each patient is allowed one visitor to accompany into the department.

Additional adult visitors are not allowed to wait in the waiting room and will be asked to wait in their cars or outside. When possible, visitors are encouraged to go home and await an update.

Pediatric patients are allowed one parent/guardian.
AMBULATORY & PROCEDURAL AREAS

Each patient may have one (1) essential escort.

Essential escort must remain with the patient. 

  • If the patient is having outpatient surgery or a procedure, the visitor should leave the facility once the patient has gone into their surgery or procedure.

Children under 18 are not permitted to enter the facility; exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis; exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Thank you for helping keep our patients, visitors and staff safe.