During the COVID-19 public health emergency to date, in order to ensure Massachusetts’ health care system had the capacity to address the pandemic, some health care services and procedures needed to be limited or put on hold temporarily, while many services were conducted remotely using telehealth. Emergency services and other essential health and human services continued during this time.

As of May 18th, 2020, the Commonwealth issued new guidelines to hospitals and health care providers in accordance with the state’s four-phase reopening plan, to allow some non-emergency procedures or deferred care that may now need attention. Information about the reopening plan is available at the Commonwealth’s Reopening Website.

New England Baptist Hospital has submitted the Acute Care Hospital Phase 1 Reopen Attestation Form to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) on May 21, 2020. By having submitted this form, New England Baptist Hospital attests to meeting the Phase 1 criteria and standards in the DPH Hospital Reopening Guidance.

Acute Care Hospital Phase 1 Reopen Attestation Form

For patients and visitors:

• If you are scheduled for elective surgery, outpatient procedure or appointment over the next two weeks, you will be contacted this week to postpone/reschedule your appointment.
• Emergent and clinically necessary surgeries and clinically necessary outpatient appointments will continue to ensure continuity of care, patient safety and expected outcomes.
• We will continue to support all post-surgical patients who remain at NEBH until they are ready to be discharged.
• Anyone coming to the hospital must check in upon arrival and will be screened for the flu and risk factors for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
• To protect the health of our patients and staff, NEBH is restricting all visitors—unless pre-approved by each patient’s care team.
• Anyone who has the flu, flu-like symptoms, or COVID-19 risk factors may not come to the Hospital. Should you need assistance, please call your primary care physician (PCP) and await further instruction. If your PCP is on site at NEBH, you will be asked to wear a mask during your visit.

We will continue to actively monitor this fluid situation and adjust our plans as required to support efforts to slow the transmission of COVID-19 and support the work and safety of the entire healthcare community and patients.