Visitation Information

South Shore Hospital visitors must enter through the McKim Family Main Entrance during normal visiting hours, 11 AM to 8 PM. Outside of normal visiting hours, approved visitors must use the Emergency Department entrance. 

Visitors will be screened for wellness and are required to sanitize their hands before visiting a patient. While visiting, visitors are encouraged to stay in the patient's room or in the McKim Family Main Entrance waiting areas. Visitors may also shop in our Friendly Shop, purchase food from our Lobby Café, and eat in our main dining room.

Normal visiting hours are 11 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week.

Effective February 16, 2025, visitors are required to wear masks in certain areas of South Shore Hospital – including on Emerson 6 and in the NICU. Please see below for specific guidelines.

Masking remains optional in other areas of South Shore Hospital, but for the safety of patients, visitors, and staff, we encourage all visitors to wear a mask during this peak period of viral and respiratory illness

COVID Positive or Suspected Positive Patients

One adult visitor (age 18+) may visit during normal visiting hours with prior approval of the care team. Exceptions must be approved by a patient’s care team.

Inpatient Units (Including Critical Care Unit) and Emergency Room Observation, Annex and West Units

Two visitors at a time per patient room may visit during normal visiting hours. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (age 18+). Please note that in the Critical Care Unit, minor visitors are not permitted except in certain circumstances. Exceptions must be approved by a patient's care team. 

Effective February 16, 2025, visitors to Emerson 6 are required to wear masks for the duration of their visit.

Masking remains optional on other inpatient floors. However, for the safety of patients, visitors, and staff, we encourage all visitors to wear a mask during this peak period of viral and respiratory illness.

Normal visiting hours are 11 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week. Please observe a limit of two visitors at a time per patient room. 

While there is no restriction on the total number of visitors per day, visitors are asked to self-monitor the number of visitors in one room at a time. If more than two visitors arrive, they may rotate using the McKim Family Main Entrance waiting area. All visitors must exit through the Emergency Department after 8 PM. Exceptions must be approved by a patient's care team.

You can learn more about our guidelines for visitors here. 

Emergency Department

In treatment areas and the lobby, adult Emergency Department patients are allowed one support person. Patients under 18 are allowed up to two parents /guardians. 

To ensure the safety and privacy of all, we may ask support people to wait outside the treatment area and reserve the right to adjust these guidelines as needed. Exceptions, including for pediatric patients, must be approved by a patient’s care team.

Special Care Nursery/NICU

Visitation guidelines for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of infants in our care.

Effective February 16, 2025, all visitors to the NICU are required to wear a mask throughout their visit.

Additionally, in an effort to limit the spread of respiratory and viral illness during this peak period, visitors under the age of 18, including siblings of the patient, are not permitted at this time.

Parents and designated caregivers may visit anytime, day or night, for the duration of the patient’s stay. 

Adult visitors (age 18+) may visit during normal visiting hours (11 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week). No more than three visitors, including parents and siblings, are allowed at the bedside at one time. 

We encourage visitors to take turns when necessary.

Health Precautions & Infection Control

Any visitor exhibiting symptoms of illness, fever, cough, rash, or recent exposure to an infectious disease should delay their visit. Visits can resume when symptoms abate and the visitor has been without a fever for a minimum of 24 hours. Masks will be offered during recovery from illness. 

Pediatrics

Both parents/caregivers may visit 24/7 for the duration of their child’s stay. One parent/caregiver may stay overnight for the duration of their child’s stay. 

Additionally, family and friends may visit during normal visiting hours at the discretion of the parents/caregivers. All visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult.

Normal visiting hours are 11 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week. All visitors must exit through the Emergency Department after 8 PM. Exceptions must be approved by a patient's care team.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Patients may have support person(s) (age 18+) accompany them to outpatient appointments. Children under the age of 18 years old are not permitted. Exceptions must be approved by a patient’s care team. Please contact your provider with any questions.

Labor & Delivery/Maternity

Patients may have two support people during labor and birth. One support person, designated by the patient, may visit freely for the duration of a patient's stay. A doula is also permitted for labor and birth. 

No COVID-positive individual is permitted to be present as a partner/support person during labor, birth, or on the Maternity Unit. 

On the Maternity Unit, friends and family may visit during normal visiting hours at the discretion of the patient. All visitors under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult who is not the patient.

Normal visiting hours are 11 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week. Please observe a limit of two visitors at a time per patient room. While there is no restriction on the total number of visitors per day, visitors are asked to self-monitor the number of visitors in one room at a time. If more than two visitors arrive, they may rotate using the McKim Family Main Entrance waiting area. All visitors must exit through the Emergency Department after 8 PM.

Outpatient Surgical Services

One support person may accompany a patient to the surgical center and to the pre-surgery area. The support person is encouraged to leave the building when the patient goes into surgery and will be called by the patient's care team post-surgery.

Guidelines for South Shore Hospital Visitors

South Shore Hospital visitors must enter through the McKim Family Main Entrance during normal visiting hours (11 AM to 8 PM). Outside of normal visiting hours, approved visitors must use the Emergency Department entrance. 

Visitors will be screened for wellness and are required to sanitize their hands before visiting a patient. While visiting, visitors are encouraged to stay in the patient's room or in the McKim Family Main Entrance waiting areas. 

Visitors may also shop in our Friendly Shop, purchase food from our Lobby Café, and eat in our main dining room.

Mask Policy for Visitors

Effective February 16, 2025, visitors are required to wear masks in certain areas of South Shore Hospital, including on Emerson 6 and in our NICU.

Unless specified otherwise, masking for visitors remains optional elsewhere in South Shore Hospital. However, for the safety of patients, visitors, and staff, we encourage all visitors to wear a mask during this peak period of viral and respiratory illness.

Virtual Visitation

To help patients stay connected with their loved ones, we encourage the use of personal electronic devices (FaceTime, Zoom, etc.) whenever possible. For patients who need assistance or do not have a device, we will help facilitate virtual visits. Patients should speak to their care team. Loved ones who would like help scheduling a virtual visit with a patient, please call 781-624-8888 (weekdays 8 AM to 4 PM - please leave message) or email patientexperience [at] southshorehealth.org (patientexperience[at]southshorehealth[dot]org).