PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As the infection rate of COVID-19 in the Berkshires continues to decline, Berkshire Health Systems has expanded Visitation for Berkshire Medical Center, Fairview Hospital and BMC and Fairview Physician Practices, effective Tuesday, March 1, 2022. 

 

In most cases, except for the Emergency Departments and Critical Care Units, the new Visitation Guidelines allow for two visitors. The detailed policy can be found online at www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/visitor-guidelines.

 

"We are pleased to announce that BHS is taking cautious steps to reopen our facilities to the public," said Dr. James Lederer, BHS Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer. "Our goal is to ensure the safety of each of our patients, while also enabling increased access to the healthcare programs and services that our community members need. As always, we will carefully adhere to guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)."

 

For the non-Critical Care Units, including Medical/Surgical Units, two visitors are allowed with adult non-COVID-19 patients. For adult COVID-19 patients in non-critical care units, no visitation is allowed unless a designated exception applies, and video visits will be made available. Patients in Critical Care with COVID-19 are permitted two care partner/visitors per day viewing through a window for up to 30 minutes and video visits can be arranged.

 

For non-COVID-19 pediatric patients, two parents/guardians/care partners are allowed, and for COVID-19 pediatric patients, one parent/guardian/care partner is permitted.

 

In the BMC and Fairview Emergency Departments and the Satellite Emergency Facility at the North Adams Campus of BMC, one care partner at a time can stay with the adult patient if there is no COVID-19 diagnosis and for pediatric patients, two parents/guardians or care partners can stay with the patient. For those with a COVID-19 diagnosis, no care partners allowed for adult patients unless there is a designated exception, and for children with a COVID diagnosis, two parents/guardians or care partners are allowed at all times.

 

In the Family Birthplace at BMC and Fairview, one designated birth partner is allowed at all times and two siblings are allowed, escorted by a birth partner, between 3 and 8 pm. If the expectant mother has COVID-19, the designated birth partner may stay in the patient's room.

 

There are no visitors allowed in the Behavioral Health units unless there is a designated exception. A family meeting can be arranged with a behavioral health provider and video visits can be arranged.

 

Non-COVID-19 patients coming to the hospital for outpatient testing and services can have one care partner accompany them. Those with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or test should contact their provider to determine if an in-person visit is recommended, and if so, no one may accompany the patient to the office or testing/service location. These guidelines also apply to physician practices, the BMC Cancer & Infusion Center and other ambulatory services.

 

For more information, including a list of designated exceptions, visit www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/visitor-guidelines