Northern Light EMMC Limits Patients To ‘One Visitor Per Stay’ Starting Tuesday

Changes to the visitor policy at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center go into effect today. Along with limiting the timeframe during which patients can have visitors, to 2 PM to 4 PM, the hospital is also taking some extra measures to ensure the safety of both patients and personnel as Covid-19 cases rise nationwide.

According to Northern Light:

"The majority of adult inpatients will be permitted one visitor per stay between 2 and 4 pm daily. To limit exposure, it is recommended that the visitor is the patient’s spouse or someone who lives with them. This visitor will remain the same for the duration of the patient’s stay."

Essentially, if you end up staying in the hospital for any length of time, you get one visitor for the duration of the time you're there, and that one person is allowed to visit between 2 PM and 4 PM every day.

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At an Emergency Department Level, Northern Light is also limiting things a bit. From this point forward, if you have to make a trip to the ER, you should plan on going alone. Only folks who are "unable to advocate for themselves or require a legal guardian" will be allowed one visitor to accompany them.

Now, it goes without saying that all visitors must be feeling in good health and pass the Covid-19 screening questions. It has also been a requirement for a while that visitors be 18 years or older.

The hospital also asks that patients coming in for Outpatient services, come alone (or in the case of pediatric services, both parents or guardians may be present.)

If a patient doesn't have a device, such as a cell phone, tablet, or laptop, that could be used to connect with loved ones outside the hospital, they can call the Patient Experience Department at 207-973-8110, and Northern Light will help them obtain and communication device so that person can stay connected with their friends and family.

And if there is a situation in which more than one visitor would be needed or a longer visitation stay, the nursing leadership will review those cases.

You can find all the most recent visitor information on the Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center website.