Welcome to HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital
Having loved ones at the bedside to offer support and be a partner in the healing process is a top priority. Due to the COVID-19 visiting restrictions, we ask that all patients and visitors follow our policies to minimize the number of people on the hospital campus at any one time, to reduce the number of people any one individual is exposed to throughout the day, and to help promote physical and social distancing.
Visitors must be 18 years or older. An exception is made for those visiting postpartum patients in the birthing center with an accompanying adult.
Visitors will be asked to self-attest that they do not have symptoms of possible COVID-19 infection and/or recent exposure.
We encourage alternative electronic methods such as Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp or Google Duo. The hospital provides IPADs to facilitate communication, if necessary.
Visiting clergy on official business to tend to the sick are not considered visitors. However, they must follow all COVID precautions, including screenings and wearing of PPE. Upon arrival on the unit, all visiting clergy should contact the charge RN and or RN caring for the patient. Staff can update them and assist with any additional PPE application.
Exceptions: Please reach out to the patient's care team to discuss exceptions to the visitation policy. All exceptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Visiting hours for the limited exceptions outlined below only:
10 am – 8 pm (7 days a week)
Per the Department of Public Health Document issued on June 6, 2020, essential visitors are defined as:
- Support persons for the patient including birth partners, parents of patients who are under the age of 18 years old, attorneys of patients, and companions for patients with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Support persons must be screened prior to entry.
- All other visitors must follow the visitor restrictions, screening requirements, and expectations below.
Visitor Expectations
- All visitors must be screened.
- All visitors must wear a hospital provided mask at all times. No cloth masks are allowed. This includes the hospital and outpatient/ambulatory sites (including cancer center, physical therapy, urgent care and clinics). Visitors who do not arrive with a mask will be given one at the entrance.
- All visitors must wash or sanitize their hands upon entering the hospital and every time they enter a patient’s room.
- While the cafeteria is open at both campuses, visitors may not eat or drink while in the patient’s room.
- Visitors must socially distance themselves (6 feet apart) in patient rooms and waiting rooms.
Screening Requirements
- All visitors must answer all symptom screening questions.
- All visitors should enter:
- Leominster Campus through Entrance B.
- Clinton Campus through the main entrance between 10 am – 5 pm and the Emergency Department entrance between 5 pm – 8 pm.
- Ambulatory/Outpatient Entrances and Sites: At some locations, patients will be asked to use our self-service kiosks that will ask each visitor to self-attest that they do not have COVID, cold or flu systems or have not had a recent exposure to COVID-19.
Virtual Communication Options
View tips for virtually connecting with loved ones.
Given the very difficult nature of the current visitor restrictions, we have virtual communication options available to support you in staying connected. We encourage patients and their loved ones to keep in contact by phone, video communication or text, and if there’s any barrier, we ask that you discuss with your care team.
Inpatient
Visitor Restrictions to Specific Areas as of 10/31/22
Adult inpatient
Patients who are non-COVID-19:
- Adult patients are permitted unrestricted visitation, 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.
Patients who are COVID-19 positive, PUI EQIP, or other isolation precautions:
- One visitor at a time for adult patients that are COVID-19 positive, PUI* or EQIP** patients. There is a visit time limit of 30 minutes, and a recommended limit of 2 visitors per day.
- End-of-life COVID-19 positive, PUI or EQIP patients may have 2 visitors for 30 minutes for a one-time visit. Visitors and staff must follow the end-of-life procedure.
- COVID-19 positive, PUI or EQIP patients may have a Designated Support Person but that person will be restricted to the patient’s room.
- Parents of patients under the age of 18 who screen positive may remain with the patient and the room will be placed on PUI precautions.
- The patient being visited must be wearing a mask at all times.
- Visitors must wear the appropriate PPE based on the guidance from the care team.
*PUI: A person under investigation (PUI) is defined as a patient who presents with both clinical and epidemiological risk factors for a specific infectious disease such as COVID-19
** EQIP is covid-19 exposure precaution
Exception process: Exceptions will be made in specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis by the nurse manager or nursing supervisor. Exceptions can be granted for family meetings pertaining to goals of care discussions and end-of-life patients.
CCU
- While visitors are allowed in the CCU, please contact the unit to schedule your visit in advance at 978-466-2620.
- 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 Manager.
Exception process: Exceptions will be made in specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis by the nurse manager or nursing supervisor. Exceptions can be granted for family meetings pertaining to goals of care discussions and end-of-life patients.
Birthing Center
Laboring patients
- Patients presenting for delivery or concern for delivery: Two designated support persons and a doula (where applicable) can stay with the patient throughout labor and delivery. After delivery, patients may have one additional visitor at a time.
Antepartum patients
- Patients are allowed two designated support persons throughout the antepartum stay. The support persons may stay 24/7. One additional visitor is allowed at a time.
Postpartum patients
- After delivery, one designated support person can stay with the patient throughout the hospitalization. Patients are permitted more than one visitor at a time, with consideration given to the environment and caregiver’s ability to provide safe, high-quality care. No more than three visitors under the age of 18 may visit at one time and must be accompanied by an adult.
- At least one parent of the re-admitted newborns (boarders) must stay in the hospital for the duration of the newborn’s admission.
Emergency Department
- Patients are permitted two visitors at a time, with consideration given to the environment and caregiver’s ability to provide safe, high-quality care.
*Exceptions will be made in specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis by the Emergency Department administration or nursing supervisor. Exceptions can be granted for family meetings pertaining to goals of care discussions and end-of-life patients.
Patients who are COVID-19 positive, PUI EQIP, or other isolation precautions:
- One visitor at a time for adult patients that are COVID-19 positive, PUI or EQIP patients. There is a visit time limit of 30 minutes, and a recommended limit of 2 visitors per day.
- End-of-life COVID-19 positive, PUI or EQIP patients may have 2 visitors for 30 minutes for a one-time visit. Visitors and staff must follow the end-of-life procedure.
- COVID-19 positive, PUI or EQIP patients may have a Designated Support Person but that person will be restricted to the patient’s room.
- Parents of patients under the age of 18 who screen positive may remain with the patient and the room will be placed on PUI precautions.
- The patient being visited must be wearing a mask at all times.
- Visitors must wear the appropriate PPE based on the guidance from the care team.
*PUI: A person under investigation (PUI) is defined as a patient who presents with both clinical and epidemiological risk factors for a specific infectious disease such as COVID-19
** EQIP is covid-19 exposure precaution
Exception process: Exceptions will be made in specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis by the nurse manager or nursing supervisor. Exceptions can be granted for family meetings pertaining to goals of care discussions and end-of-life patients.
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. All visitors must be screened and follow visitor requirements while visiting.