Our Patient & Visitor Policy
We have made significant changes to ensure that we continue to provide the safe and effective orthopedic care that patients expect from their orthopedic specialty hospital. We remain focused on our core mission — to safely get you moving again.
Visitor Guidelines During COVID-19 Pandemic
Beth Israel Lahey Health has taken a number of steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in order keep our patients and staff safe. Please review our updated visitor policy below. Additional COVID-19 resources, including information on testing and vaccination, can be found here.
Visitor Guidelines
We understand the importance of being able to visit a patient while they are in the hospital, however, we have put temporary visitor limitations in place to help protect everyone from COVID-19.
Effective April 22, 2022:
- Visitors are not allowed for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
- All other patients may have up to two (2) visitors a day between 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.
- Children 12 years of age or older may visit if accompanied by a guardian.
- Exceptions to the guidance above may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Each ambulatory patient may have one (1) escort.
- Visitors and escorts will check-in and be COVID-19 screened by front desk/security staff.
- All visitors and escorts must wear a BILH-provided surgical mask, fully covering the nose and mouth, at all times while in the hospital regardless of vaccination status.
Pre-Procedure COVID-19 Testing
Effective July 18, 2022:
- Routine pre-procedure COVID-19 testing for outpatient day surgery at NEBOCC has been discontinued, unless specifically required by your care team.
- Pre-procedure testing will still be required for all main campus patients.
- The Main Campus will offer testing.
- Patients scheduled for a procedure that requires testing can complete their test at the COVID-19 collection station at the ambulance entrance.
- Testing must still be completed 24-48 hours before surgery (72 hours is allowed for extenuating circumstances).
Limiting Patient Escorts/Visitors for Safety
To protect the health of patients and staff, we are limiting escorts/visitors at this time.
For patients having inpatient surgery (staying in the hospital following your surgery):
- Surgical patients are allowed one escort into the hospital for surgery as long as there is room to socially distance.
- Inpatients are allowed two (2) visitors a day between 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.
- Designated escorts for patients with intellectual and/or physical disabilities should be provided reasonable access to treatment areas as well as access to food and bathroom facilities.
- All persons must practice physical distancing while in the facility.
- Exceptions to the guidance above may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For patients having outpatient surgery (going home on your surgery day):
- Please ask your escort to drop you off and wait outside of the hospital or go home to wait if they live nearby. Please make sure that you have the phone number of a designated person so they can be updated on your progress and pick up time.
For patients attending a clinical appointment or coming for lab or radiology exams:
- One (1) essential escort is allowed. If physical distancing cannot be maintained, escorts or visitors may be asked to wait outside.
- All visitors must wear a BILH-provided surgical mask, fully covering the nose and mouth, at all times while in the hospital regardless of vaccination status.
- The patient may request a care partner to be included by a phone call or Facetime during the visit and may request a visit summary to review with their care partner after the visit.
All patients: You may be asked to wait outside the hospital or in designated waiting areas until we are ready for your appointment.
Screening Upon Entry
Anyone coming to the hospital must check in upon arrival and will be screened for symptoms of the flu and COVID-19. Symptoms include:
- Fever (>100.4 deg F) or feeling feverish
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Body aches
- Diarrhea
- Loss of, or change in, smell and/or taste
Anyone who has symptoms of the flu or COVID-19, or recent diagnosis of COVID-19 within the last two weeks, should not come to the Hospital. Should you need assistance, please stay home and call your primary care physician (PCP) and await further instruction. Anyone exposed to COVID-19 within the last 10 days should contact their treating physician prior to the visit for further instruction.
All staff, patients, visitors and essential patient escorts must wear a mask at all times. A mask will be provided upon entry to the hospital.
We will continue to actively monitor this fluid situation and adjust our guidelines as needed. Please refer back to this page before each visit.
How to Wear a Mask
Everyone who enters New England Baptist Hospital is required to wear a mask for the entire time they are within the building. A mask will be provided upon entry. It is important to understand how to properly wear and remove a mask.
- Leave the mask on for as long as tolerated to reduce potential for contamination during removing and placing back on (ideally only when eating and when alone).
- Avoid touching the mask while in use. If you do, wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
- Mask should be discarded at any time if deformed, moist, or contaminated.
Improper Mask Use: No gaps, do not dangle below chin/nose or hang from neck.
Proper Mask Use: Mold or pinch the stiff edge to the shape of your nose. Pull the bottom of the mask over your mouth and chin. Make sure there is a snug fit.
Find a Doctor
If you have an orthopedic issue, we recommend that you reach out to one of our physician offices to discuss your specific needs and what options are available to you. To find a doctor, click here.
Telehealth Services
Ask your doctor if virtual care appointments are available.
The NEBH Spine Center is now offering virtual care appointments.
Learn more.
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