Emerson Hospital is a patient- and family-focused environment. The health and safety of our patients, visitors, employees, and our communities remains our top priority. In line with guidance issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, our visitor policies have been updated to reflect the limitations that the COVID-19 pandemic has created.
Emerson Hospital Visitor Policy
Effective Nov. 7, 2022
Visitor & Support Person Requirements
Regardless of vaccination status, all patients and visitors must wear a hospital-supplied mask in the presence of health care staff, outside of the postpartum rooms, and in general settings.
Visitors will check in at the hospital main entrance, where they will be screened, perform hand hygiene, provided a hospital authorized surgical mask and a visitor badge. If symptom-free, they must check in at the unit nurse’s station before continuing to the patient’s room. Permission for visitation must be obtained from the inpatient floor and is at the discretion of the clinical team.
Visitors with obvious signs of illness, such as fever, cough, sore throat, chills, shortness of breath, congestion or runny nose, muscle or body aches, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, or diagnosis of COVID-19 in the past 10 days, then they will not be permitted to enter the facility.
Visiting Hours
Visitation hours are from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. It is at the discretion of the clinical team to allow visitation before or after visitation hours.
- Inpatient mother/baby unit visitation hours are from 12-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. daily.
- Inpatient behavioral health unit visitation hours are from 4-7 p.m. daily.
Birth partners, parents of patients under 18, attorneys of patients, and companions for individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities designated as “Support Person(s)” are allowed unrestricted access to the patient through the stay.
- COVID-positive support persons or guardians can visit on day six after symptom onset or a positive test if their symptoms improve and they are fever-free without fever-reducing medication. The day of symptom onset or a positive test is considered day 0.
- Support persons or guardians who have been COVID-exposed in the last 14 days are only permitted if asymptomatic.
- All must remain masked and in the patient's room at all times.
End-of-Life Visitation
Decisions about visitation will be made collaboratively with the patient and loved ones, as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis. There are no restrictions as to the time of visitation for EOL patients; the duration and timing of the visit is per discretion of the local clinical team and unit leadership.
- In end-of-life cases, COVID-positive visitors can visit on day six after symptom onset or a positive test if their symptoms improve and they are fever-free without fever-reducing medication. The day of symptom onset or positive test is considered day 0.
- In end-of-life cases, visitors who have been COVID exposed in the last 14 days are permitted only if the visitor is asymptomatic.
- All EOL visitors must remain masked and in the patient's room at all times.
We understand this may be difficult and thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.
