Flu Health Alert

For All Entering South Shore Hospital Property

For your protection and for the protection of our patients, visitors and staff…

PLEASE DO NOT VISIT a hospitalized patient if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.  Flu-like symptoms may include:

·     Fever

·     Cough

·     Runny nose and/or congestion

·     Sore throat

·     Body aches

·     Diarrhea and vomiting

·     Unusual weakness or tiredness

If you are a PATIENT or SUPPORT PERSON (e.g. a spouse, parent, adult sibling, or significant other of a patient) and you have flu-like symptoms, we ask that you:

·     Wear a mask while on hospital property.

·     Stay in the patient’s room.

·     Go directly home after leaving the patient.  (Please do not visit the dining room or other public areas of the hospital). 

The support person (e.g. a spouse, parent, adult sibling, or significant other) of PATIENTS WITH FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS must wear a protective mask while with the patient.  Kiosks with masks are located near all entrances.

Hand washing before and after all visits is critically important!

Thank you for helping us keep you, our patients, visitors and staff safe during the flu season.

Visiting Hours

Before You Visit

Call Patient Information at 781-624-3400 for an update on the patient’s condition and whether a visit is appropriate.

Designate one family member (spokesperson) to inquire about the patient’s condition. Ask the primary nurse when the family spokesperson should call for an updated condition.

Who Can Visit

Please do not visit if...

• you are feeling ill,
• have an infection, or
• have any contagious condition.

Visitors should be 12 years or older.

Younger children are susceptible to infection. And, even if supervised by an adult, children can be disruptive to other patients.  In our maternity unit, children under 16 years of age are only allowed if they are siblings of the newborn.

Tobacco-Free Environment

The use of tobacco and tobacco-like products is not allowed on South Shore Hospital properties, including buildings, grounds, parking lots/garages, or vehicles on hospital property. South Shore Hospital’s new tobacco-free environment policy will replace its current policy, which limits smoking and the use of tobacco and tobacco-like products to specially designated outdoor smoking areas.

Becoming tobacco-free supports our mission to protect the health and welfare of our colleagues, patients and visitors and serve as a model of good health promotion in the community.  South Shore Hospital is offering the “You CAN Quit” smoking cessation program to the public to help people stop smoking or using tobacco. Group and private sessions are available. For further information on the “You CAN Quit,” program, call 781-624-8904.

Some Rules

• Avoid bringing latex balloons, in consideration of those with latex allergies.
• Check with the primary nurse before bringing special food or drink.
• Limit visitors to two at a time in the patient’s room. Others may wait in the unit’s visitor lounge.
• Use the public restrooms on each patient floor, instead of the patient’s restroom.
• Be considerate of patients’ roommates.
• Leave the patient's room when visiting hours are over, when treatment is administered, or at a physician's or nurse's request.

Questions About Our Visiting Policies?

Please speak with the patient’s primary nurse or Patient Relations at 781-624-8888 with questions about our visiting policies.

Visit Our Gift Shops

Send Flowers or a Gift

The Friendly Gift Shop

The Friendly Gift Shop is located on the first floor to the right of the main lobby.

The Cottage Shop

The Cottage Shop is located at 56 Fogg Road across from the South entrance.

Get Involved

Become a volunteer.

Make a donation.

Join The Friends of
South Shore Hospital.