Effective Monday, July 13, 2020, Central Maine Healthcare is updating their visitor and escort restrictions in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Masks must be worn at all times while inside any Central Maine Healthcare facility
• Visitors must use hand sanitizer upon entrance into CMH locations
• Visitors will not be allowed to wear gloves when visiting
• Visitors must complete COVID-19 screening upon entry to CMH locations
• Visitors must obtain visitor passes. Passes for CMMC can be obtained at the switchboard and passes for Bridgton and Rumford Hospitals can be obtained from the screeners at the entrance.
• Visitors must agree to limit their movement to designated entrances/exits as guided by the Greeters at the CMH location that they are visiting. Movement to other areas will not be permitted.
• Visitors who fail screening, are unwilling or unable to wear appropriate PPE, or are unwilling to comply with limiting their movement within CMH location will be ineligible to visit patients in person.
• Visitors will be asked to limit the personal items they bring into CMH (i.e. keys, cell phone, wallet or purse).
• Alternatives to in person visiting/escorting will be offered when deemed to be appropriate, specifically video conferencing or telephone communication.
• Visitors for hospitalized patients will be directed from the entrance to the patient care department by a CMH staff member after screening. If way finding is needed once their visit is complete assistance will be provided.
• Visitors will only be able to bring in personal care items that have been requested by hospitalized patients ONLY if approved by the RN caring for the patient.
• Out of state Visitors must provide proof of negative COVID test conducted within 72 hours prior to presentation to organization.

HOSPITAL GUIDELINES: 

Inpatients – one member of a patient’s immediate family will be allowed to visit on the date of discharge.

1. Bridgton, CMMC and Rumford Hospitals:
   1. When the patient is ready for discharge, one escort will be allowed onsite prior to discharge for discharge teaching purposes.
   2. If appropriate, discharge instructions may also be provided via phone when escort preference is to avoid entry to the hospital.
   3. A time will be arranged for pick up and the nursing staff will bring patient out to their car where the escort will sign the discharge instructions if appropriate.
2. Pediatrics/NICU –
   1. For pediatric patients, parents of a child will be allowed to switch off visitation hours once daily, preferably between the hours of 9:30 -11:30 or 4:00 -6:00 pm.  Visitor screening will need to occur each time the parent presents to visit their child. In the event it is not possible for the parents to switch during the identified times, nursing staff will coordinate the switch time with the house supervisor. If there are no screeners present then either Security or the House Supervisor will conduct parental screening.
   2. For infants who are under investigation for COVID infection, the newborn will be able to remain unless clinical presentation warrants transfer
   3. For infants undergoing bilirubin therapy, two parents will be allowed to stay with the infant and cannot go to and from the room/hospital
3. Obstetrics – One birth partner will be allowed in the labor and delivery area during the birth and that same visitor is also allowed to visit in the Mother/Baby postpartum care area at any time. For surrogate or adoptive parents following delivery, both parents of any newborn will be permitted to visit at the same time.
4. Critically Ill – A maximum of two members of a patient’s immediate family will be allowed to simultaneously visit each day. The duration of the visit is at the discretion of the Critical Care team.
5. COVID-19 Positive – No visitors except under End-of-Life or Extraordinary Circumstances (as defined below).
   1. Patients Under Investigation or known to have COVID-19 infection that are receiving End of Life Care –up to two visitors over the age of 18 will be allowed to visit at a time.
      • Personal protective equipment (PPE) including surgical mask, full face shield, gown and gloves must be worn at all times while in the room.  Proper PPE will be provided by the hospital.
      • If the visitor(s) leave the room they will not be allowed to reenter.
      • Visitors will be asked to leave the patient’s room during times of aerosol-generating procedures.
6. End of Life Care/Non COVID 19 – up to two visitors will be allowed to visit at a time. Children must be able to reliably wear a mask and obey all expectations.

Same day procedures or visits – when necessary, one visitor will be allowed to escort the patient prior to the procedure.

Escorts will not be allowed to wait inside hospital waiting rooms while the patient is undergoing their procedure.

When the patient is ready for discharge, one escort will be allowed onsite for 30 minutes prior to discharge for discharge teaching.

All other discharge instructions will be provided via phone with the patient, nurse, and escort.

A time will be arranged for pick up and the nursing staff will bring the patient out to the car where the escort will sign the discharge instructions

Emergency Department – one person will be allowed as an escort unless the patient is undergoing evaluation of COVID 19 or other disease process requiring isolation.

Patients requiring isolation will not be allowed visitors in the Emergency Department except in extraordinary circumstances as noted below

Emergency Department patients that are deemed to be End of Life will be allowed up to two visitors at one time.

Extraordinary Circumstances – Certain patients will require ongoing accompaniment by a family member or other escort for some or all of their hospital stay.

Extraordinary circumstances include (but are not limited to):

1. Patients with significant intellectual disabilities
2. Patients with unique communications needs, such as dementia/confusion or language barriers that cannot be appropriately managed through typical translation services
3. Patients in police custody
4. Patients from institutions that require near-constant attendance by a staff member with special understanding of the patient’s needs
5. Patients who require near-constant attendance and immediate family is willing to be in attendance

CMMG CLINIC/PRACTICE GUIDELINES: 

CMMG Practice/Central Registration staff will review guidelines with patient/family at the time the appointment is scheduled/confirmed.

1. When necessary, one person will be allowed to escort the patient to their clinic visit to support patient care needs (i.e. assist with registration, intake and coordination of care processes).
2. Requests for two people to escort a patient, for example two parents of a newborn, will be at the discretion of the provider on a case by case basis.

The Hospital Nursing Supervisor will work in conjunction with Administrator on Call and the attending physician to make a final determination if visiting criteria are met.

Visiting guidelines are subject to change as the COVID 19 pandemic evolves.

Go to our COVID-19 CMH Facility Closings and Event Cancellations page for updates on facility closings and upcoming event cancellations.