UPDATE: Visitor policy

Date: 06/13/2022

Effective June 13, 2022, visitors are permitted in Northern Light Mercy facilities with the following limitations and conditions: 

Screening: All visitors are subject to COVID-19 risk screening upon initial entry to a Northern Light Mercy facility. Visitors exhibiting or reporting symptoms of COVID-19 and those who meet Maine CDC criteria for quarantine due to travel or exposure will not be allowed to enter facilities.

Masking: Visitors over 24 months of age are required to remain masked at all times inside the facility, including patient rooms.

All visitors and escorts must: 

• Be screened and meet CDC recommended criteria for entry into the facility. 
• Perform hand hygiene prior to entering and upon exiting a patient’s room or care area. 
• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from the patient and caregivers (to the degree possible). 
• Wear a facility-issued mask over the nose and mouth at all times while inside the facility, including when inside the patient’s room or care area. 
• Refrain from leaving the room/care area of the patient they are visiting. The hospital cafeteria is closed to visitors at this time.

Inpatient units: Visitor hours are from 8 am to 8 pm daily. Two visitors are allowed at any given time, and there is no limit on the number of visitors allowed per day. 

Birthplace: Two visitors are allowed in the room at any given time, and there is no limit on the number of visitors per day. A minor under the age of 18 will be allowed in the patient room with an adult visitor. Masking is required for youths older than 2.

Emergency department: Two parents/guardians are allowed for pediatric patients provided space is sufficient to achieve compliance with social distancing. Adult patients are not permitted escorts at this time unless special assistance is needed.

Ambulatory/diagnostic areas: Adult patients may be accompanied by two other adults. Pediatric patients may be accompanied by two parents/guardians provided space is sufficient to achieve compliance with social distancing.

ACU/PACU/OR: Adult patients may be accompanied by one other adult. Pediatric patients may be accompanied by two parents or guardians.

Outpatient surgery center: Pediatric patients can have two parents or guardians with them in the building. Adult patients coming for surgery may be accompanied by one other adult.

Northern Light Mercy medical practices: Adult patients may be accompanied by one other adult. Allowance for having one additional escort will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be allowed provided space is sufficient to achieve compliance with social distancing. Pediatric patients are allowed to have two parents/guardians present.
 
Patients isolated for COVID-19: No visitors are allowed except for compassionate care, to be managed by the care team. 

Patients requiring special assistance: Patients in any care setting who need special assistance for needs such as mobility or communications with the care team may be assisted by one adult escort who provides that assistance or support. Such necessity is to be determined by the care team. 

Other exceptions: As determined and managed by the care team, exceptions may be made for care planning discussions and/or for end-of-life care