Visitation

Welcome to HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital

Effective January 2, 2024

Patients and visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks, particularly if they have symptoms of respiratory illness and when they are visiting an admitted patient with a respiratory illness. At caregiver discretion, patients and visitors may be asked to wear a mask. If they do not comply with masking when asked to do so, they may be asked to leave.

HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital supports a patient and family-focused environment. We appreciate the need of our patients to have visitors and the need of family and friends to provide support to their loved ones while in the hospital. 

This policy applies to all patients and families in Inpatient, Ambulatory (including outpatient and Emergency Departments), and procedural settings. Visitations will be altered as needed for patient care. 

Changes to our visitor policy may be put into effect during community outbreaks, episodic surges in patient volume or patient acuity and in accordance with regulatory organizations. 

In respecting the care and comfort needs of our patients, visitors are generally welcome on the medical/surgical units between 10 am-7 pm. Under limited circumstances, a designated support person may have overnight visitation on some units if it does not interfere with the medical care and treatment of any of our patients. 

Emergency Departments: 

• Adult and pediatric patients are permitted unrestricted visitation with no limit on the number of visitors at the bedside, with consideration given to the environment and caregiver’s ability to provide safe, high quality care. 
• Visitors under the age of 18 may be permitted to visit under specific circumstances. Visitors under the age of 18, if permitted, must be accompanied by an adult. 

Inpatient Areas 

• Adult patients are permitted unrestricted visitation with no limit on the number of visitors at the bedside, with consideration given to the environment and caregiver’s ability to provide safe, high quality care. 
• Visitors under the age of 18 may be permitted to visit under specific circumstances. Visitors under the age of 18, if permitted, must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors under the age of 14, when the patient is currently in the ICU, requires prior approval from the Nurse Manager. 
• Exceptions will be made in specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis by the Nurse Leader or nursing supervisor. Exceptions can be granted for family meetings pertaining to goals of care discussions and end-of-life patients. 

CCU 

• Visitors under the age of 18, if permitted, must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors under the age of 14, when the patient is currently in the CCU, require prior approval from the Nurse Leader. 
• Exceptions will be made in specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis by the Nurse Leader or Nursing Supervisor. Exceptions can be granted for family meetings pertaining to goals of care discussions and end-of-life patients. 

GMPU- Clinton Campus 

• On our GMPU, visitation appointments can be scheduled with the patient’s care team. 
• Exceptions to visiting hours may be made by the care team when it may be in the best interest of the patient or family for a visit. 

Ambulatory (Outpatient) Areas 

All ambulatory clinic appointments are permitted unrestricted visitation, with consideration given to the environment and caregiver’s ability to provide safe, high-quality care. 

• Oncology patients seen at the Simonds-Sinon Cancer are permitted 1 visitor at a time. 

Masking Policy Changes 

Our masking policy changed on May 11, 2023 in accordance with Massachusetts expecting to rescind the public health emergency policies. Our policy will include the following: 

• Caregivers will need to wear a mask during patient encounters in our Emergency Departments, and Oncology clinics and the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Oncology Infusion Center, and with transplant patients at the Medical Center. 
• Masks will be optional and encouraged in all other areas and patient interactions for caregivers. 
• Masks will be optional and encouraged for patients and visitors. 

For more information please visit: COVID-19 Information website