COVID-19

COVID-19

Patient Information

You won’t be near anyone with COVID-19.
The fear of contracting COVID-19 shouldn’t cross your mind when you need emergency care. That’s why we’ve created safe zones in our ER - keeping you separate from anyone we’re treating for COVID-19.

We’re suiting up and scrubbing down even more.
We’ve upped our cleaning and disinfecting protocols - especially for high-touch areas. We also make sure we’re adequately stocked with masks, shields, gloves and towns to help keep you and our staff healthy.

Checking, then double-checking.
For an added layer of protection, we have hospital personnel screening patients for COVID-10 exposure and symptoms before they enter our facility.

Your health and safety are our top priority.

Before visiting St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, please be aware that the Seton Entrance and ED Entrance are open. The Saint Margaret's Center entrance will be closed to patients until further notice.

Any patient presenting with a temperature of 100.4 or above will not be allowed to continue into the hospital and will be instructed to follow-up with their primary care provider. However, patients arriving to the Emergency Department will be seen, regardless of temperature.

St. Elizabeth's Medical Center is taking additional, necessary preparations to ensure patients can receive compassionate care in a safe, carefully managed environment – with confidence and without fear.

Our Safe and Ready program consists of a rigorous five-point standard ensuring patient safety, confidence and convenience:

1. Expanded hours will allow previously cancelled procedures to be scheduled as quickly as possible.
2. Any COVID-19 related care takes place in designated areas away from other patients and their families.
3. The Emergency Department is reorganized to be a safe place to treat all emergency patients.
4. A stringent cleaning policy has been implemented throughout the hospital.
5. A strictly controlled visitor and mask policy is required for patient safety.

You can rest assured that we have made the necessary preparations to care for you in a safe, controlled and professional way.

We’re here, and we’re ready to provide the care you need.

Visitor Policy

EFFECTIVE MAY 29, 2021, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

We remain ready to serve all of your health care needs and have taken the necessary steps to ensure patients can receive care in a safe environment.

Our stringent safety measures include: mandatory wearing of masks, social distancing in waiting areas, and vigilant cleaning in all areas, which includes the use of EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectants validated for use against COVID-19. We also pre-screen all patients scheduled for procedures, and screen everyone before they enter the hospital.

• Inpatient Units and ICU: We will be allowing one (1) adult visitor at a time to inpatient units, with some exceptions. Please contact your care team prior to visiting. Visiting hours will be 10am – 8pm. All guests are still required to enter through the Seton main entrance (accessible via Nevins Street). We ask that other family members wait outside the facility and rotate in for visitation to help adhere to this rule.
• Outpatient Appointments: One (1) adult visitor/escort with each patient coming to an outpatient clinic or procedure. 
• Emergency Department: One (1) adult visitor/escort is allowed 24/7.
   

Exceptions may be made in certain circumstances:

• Labor and Delivery Unit: Updated 6/10/21: Those admitted to labor & delivery are allowed one (1) support person. Doulas are considered separate as they are part of the care team. 
• Mother Baby Unit: Updated 6/10/21: Patients admitted to Mother Baby are allowed one (1) additional visitor, along with their support person. This person should remain the same during the duration of the hospital stay. This additional visitor will be allowed to visit from 10AM-8PM.
• Visitors to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) include the infant's parents. Updated 6/10/21.
• Patients in 7 West unit are allowed visitors by appointment only between 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Visits will be limited to one (1) visitor for one (1) patient at a time for no more than 30 minutes. To schedule an appointment please call 617-789-3247. 
• Patients in 5 West unit are allowed visitors by appointment only between 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Visits will be limited to two (2) visitors on the unit at one time (max. one (1) visitor per patient) for no more than 30 minutes. To schedule an appointment please call 617-789-2127. 
• Other extenuating circumstances (such as hospice and end-of-life care) will also be considered based on the best interest and needs of the individual patient. All exceptions must be approved by the care team. 
• Please note: For patients with physical and intellectual disabilities, one (1) support person over the age of 18 is permitted. Support persons must pass our screening process, and there are no restrictions on visiting hours for support persons.

Visitors or caregivers qualifying for these exceptions must:

• Meet clinical criteria used for general visitation, i.e., pass COVID-19 screening.
• Use PPE appropriate for the patient they are supporting. In the event the patient is COVID positive, the support person must use hospital-provided PPE. 
• Wear a face mask for the duration of their visit and are encouraged to bring their own masks; surgical masks will be provided to visitors who don’t have their own. Scarves, bandannas, and handkerchiefs are not allowed. Refusal to wear a mask will result in the revocation of visitation privileges.

Everyone on Steward properties must have a mask on, including patients. We ask for your understanding and appreciate your cooperation in our commitment to keeping our community safe.

While we are sensitive to the difficulties facing loved ones of hospitalized patients, our health care team must keep our patients and staff safe during this unprecedented health emergency. 

We encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, Facetime and Google Duo. 

Non-essential personnel, such as sales vendors, who do not provide direct care will be restricted from entering the facility.

We thank you for your cooperation.

COVID-19 Testing

• If you have mild symptoms or think you may have contracted COVID-19, please self-quarantine and call your healthcare provider first to schedule an appointment for testing. Your provider will guide you to the best location for testing depending on your needs. 

• We do not offer walk-in testing. However, if you have severe symptoms, our emergency department is safe and ready for immediate assistance. 

• Patients with symptoms are evaluated in a secure area separate from other medical emergencies.
• COVID-19 antibody tests are available at the Quest Diagnostics location on site (11 Nevins Street, Suite 204). An order from your doctor is required prior to scheduling. 
   
• If you think you may have contracted the virus but are asymptomatic, please contact your primary care physician for further guidance. 
   
• Testing sites in the state of Massachusetts can be found here.