MASSACHUSETTS HOSPITALS RESPOND
Massachusetts hospitals are dedicated to ensuring safe patient care and providing the our caregivers with the safest possible environments to conduct their lifesaving work. They have responded heroically to the pandemic, creating separate COVID units, standing-up field hospitals across the state, vaccinating individuals, and continuing their day-today provision of medical care for non-COVID patients in a safe and effective manner.
COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
Hospitals are playing an important role in vaccinating Massachusetts residents. They are currently following all state guidance as they allocate vaccines, and are committed to keeping patients updated on the latest developments - including details on general public vaccination.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the state’s COVID-19 webpage. Through the webpage, you can:
- Check when you are available to get vaccinated
- Find a vaccinating site near you
- Sign up for an appointment
- Prepare for your appointment and fill out the attestation form
MASS.GOV/COVIDVACCINE
Please note that there is no need to call your doctor or hospital to sign up to be vaccinated. They will contact you directly when you qualify and will help walk you through the process. Have other questions about the COVID-19 vaccines? Refer to this FAQ to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is it? How does it spread? How do I protect myself? What about my pet and the novel coronavirus? Check here for answers to these and other common questions.
Federal Waivers
In certain circumstances, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services using section 1135 of the Social Security Act can temporarily modify or waive certain Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or HIPAA requirements, called 1135 waivers. Click here to view a list of waivers relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Executive Orders
The Baker Administration under the emergency order issued on March 10 has used its authority to grant a series of emergency orders and guidance documents to ease restrictions on providers responding to the pandemic. Click here for a list of these orders.
Workforce
MHA’s Strategic Partner, Symmetry Workforce Solutions, is offering MHA members free access to a rapid response option for your supplemental staffing needs via their parent company, Aya Healthcare. Aya is proactively qualifying a workforce of nurses, respiratory therapists, and other staff that may be needed to respond rapidly to the situation. To date, more than 20 state hospital associations are participating and Aya has engaged more than 500,000 clinicians regarding interest and opportunities to serve across the U.S. For information, contact Diane Adams, RN, at diane.adams@symmetryworkforce.com or (609) 240-5006; Guy Evans, at guy.evans@symmetryworkforce.com or (732) 245-0212; or MHA’s Jim Vahey at jvahey@mhalink.org.
Caring for the Caregiver: COVID-19 Resources
MHA has assembled resources to support caregiver wellbeing during this challenging time. The list at the link here includes timely webinars, articles, toolkits and more with information on stress management, self-care, and caregiver support.