The day before Thanksgiving, Northern Light increased its patient visitor numbers. This is the largest expansion since the pandemic began.
BANGOR, Maine — During the pandemic, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center had very limited hours with visitor numbers reduced to one per day.
During this holiday season, the hospital has expanded the number and hours that visitors can enter the building.
As of the day before Thanksgiving, adult inpatients staying in hospitals are now allowed two visitors per patient between 8am and 8pm .
The new visitation policy includes:
Adult hospitalized patients: A maximum of 2 bedside visitors per patient are allowed between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm.
Emergency Department (ED): All visitors are asked to wait outside the medical center until the patient is assigned to the main ED room. Due to space limitations, we are limiting the number of visitors in the waiting room to one.
end of life: Two visitors at a time are allowed 24 hours a day. Up to four visitors may be allowed for certain periods of time as space permits.
Labor and Delivery: Two people over the age of 18 are allowed at the bedside during labour. This includes support personnel. Siblings under the age of 18 after birth may be permitted with approval.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Two guardians per patient are available 24 hours a day. From 12pm to 6pm he may have one more visitor at his bedside.
Pediatric inpatients: Two guardians per patient are available at the bedside for 24 hours. From 8am to 8pm he may have one more visitor at his bedside.
Surgery/Procedure: One support person may enter the service area while waiting for a patient.
Hospital officials say families are an important part of the healing process and are happy to receive more visitors during the holidays.
“It’s a big deal. People really appreciate it. They’re incredibly respectful, helpful, and doing what we’re asking them to do in terms of keeping their distance and wearing masks.” They really appreciate this added time and added capacity…to see people.” said Sarah Joy, Director of Patient Experiences.
While there have been adjustments to visitation policies since the pandemic began, this expansion is the largest since early 2020.
Mask requirements still apply.
