Northern Light EMMC Expanding Visitor Times And Regulations This Week
As of this morning, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has expanded the hours that people can visit patients at the hospital, along with the age range of those allowed in.
"We have been closely monitoring the changing landscape of COVID-19 in our community and listening to our patients' requests for expansion of visitation, including allowing younger family members to visit,” says Sarah Joy, SHRM-SCP, director, Patient Experience. ”We are pleased to enhance the healing environment for our adult patients, who may be able to see their children or grandchildren under the age of 18, and our pediatric patients may have a sibling visit.”
The hospital says that while kids under 18 are now permitted to come and visit, there are still some safety guidelines they will have to follow.
"The new expanded policy requires those under the age of 16 to be accompanied by a guardian, and children under the age of 10 require approval from nursing leadership."
All visitors are still required to mask, regardless of their age. And there are other conditions to visitation for different situations including the folks in the Emergency Department, Labor & Delivery, and those in an end-of-life situation, to name a few.
Anyone coming into Northern Light EMMC must check in with the front desk and be in good health.
While the expansions went into effect Tuesday morning, officials with the hospital say they will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation in the area, and reserve the right to adjust the policy should they need to, to keep patients and staff safe.