Northern Light Mercy Hospital updates its visitor policy

Date: 12/13/2021

Northern Light Mercy Hospital has announced that it will update its visitation policy for the safety of its patients, staff, and care teams. Effective tomorrow, December 14, visitors and escorts are not permitted at Northern Light Mercy facilities, except in the following circumstances:

Pediatrics and obstetrics: Two visitors allowed per day, for one visit. Doulas are included in the two-visitor daily limit. Siblings and visitors under the age of 18 are not permitted to visit. 

Emergency department: Two parents/guardians for pediatric patients, provided space is sufficient to achieve compliance with social distancing.

Ambulatory/diagnostic areas: No visitors for adult patients are allowed in the waiting room, except in special circumstances as determined by the care team. In special circumstances, the care team will determine upon the patient’s arrival if that family member or escort can stay and wait for the patient. Pediatric patients may have one parent or guardian accompany them to the Ambulatory Surgical Unit, and that adult will be given protective eyewear upon arrival and must wear the eyewear and a mask for the duration of the visit.

COVID-19 units: No visitors except for compassionate care, to be managed by care team.

Patients requiring special assistance: Patients in any care setting who need help — such as with mobility or communications with the care team about their medical history or care — may be assisted by an adult escort to provide the needed assistance or support. Such necessity will be determined by the care team.

Exceptions: Exceptions may be made for care plan discussions as arranged by the care team or for end of life care.

Outpatient surgery center:

• Pediatric patients can have up to two parents or guardians with them.
• Adults coming for surgery: visitors are not allowed unless there are special needs (determined on an individual basis).

Northern Light Mercy medical practices:No visitors are permitted at Northern Light Mercy facilities, except for the following:

• Pediatrics: Two parents/guardians at a time allowed
• Patients requiring special assistance: Patients in any care setting who need help — such as with mobility or communications with the care team about their medical history or care — may be assisted by an adult escort to provide the needed assistance or support. Such necessity will be determined by the care team.

 
All visitors and escorts must:

• Perform hand hygiene prior to entering and upon leaving the patient’s room/care area;
• Remain at least six feet from the patient at all times (as much as possible);
• Wear a mask at all times in the facility, including patient rooms;
• Cover mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing, use and dispose of tissues and perform hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions; and
• Not go to any locations in the facility other than the room of the patient they are visiting. Hospital cafeterias are closed to visitors at this time.

 
All visitors/escorts are subject to screening for COVID-19. Visitors/escorts with any COVID-19 symptoms or who have had an exposure within the past 14 days – regardless of vaccination or testing status – will NOT be allowed to enter hospital facilities.