As of Monday, June 28, LincolnHealth will implement revisions to the visitation policy that has been in place since March 15.

In all healthcare settings, patients and visitors will have to wear one of our procedural masks and self-screen by answering three questions. LincolnHealth team members will be checking to assure people are masked before heading toward their destination. They will confirm they have followed the screening process when they arrive at their destination.

If the patient/visitor successfully passes the screening, other changes include:

-Two visitors allowed in obstetrics;

-Two visitors allowed in pediatrics and the Emergency Department for those under age 18, as space permits;

-One visitor allowed in primary care, specialists’ offices and the Emergency Department as space permits; and,

-Two visitors per day are allowed for those who are staying in the hospital, and visitation is capped at three hours. Visiting hours remain noon to 7 p.m.

It is important that patients who are asked to wait in their vehicles until being called to continue to do so. In some areas of our hospital, social distancing in our waiting areas can be challenging.

Family and friends should check with the patient’s medical caregiver if they have questions regarding visitation.

Patients and visitors may also see caregivers no longer wearing eye protection. Since the risk of transmission is low, eye protection is only required for those caring for COVID-19 positive patients, patients under investigation or those being evaluated or tested for COVID-19 symptoms.

The number of COVID cases presenting at LincolnHealth during the last three weeks has been the lowest since the pandemic began,’’ said Chief Medical Officer Timothy Fox, MD. “While we are not out of the woods yet, we can lessen the restrictions on patients and visitors with confidence.”

The policy changes do not apply to nursing care, skilled nursing, and assisted living; palliative care/comfort measures; end of life; patient discharge; and patients with COVID-19 symptoms.

The Miles Café continues to remain closed to the public.

To view the existing visitation policy, visit https://www.mainehealth.org/LincolnHealth/Patients-Visitors