Patients and Families

Penobscot Valley Hospital recognizes the importance of family and visitors to support the wellness of our patients. Visitation restrictions are continuously monitored with COVID-19 positivity rates and other environmental information. PVH will make adjustments as needed to ensure everyone’s safety. 

Visitation Requirements 

Visitors must read before entering for visitation hours 

Due to the surge of COVID-19 in our community, we are taking extra steps to protect our  patients, families, visitors, and staff. We will continue to assess our visitation policy and make adjustments to promote safety within our facility. There are unique circumstances where visitation may be adjusted. Nursing leaders will review these exceptions and make adjustments  to visitation during those circumstances. Circumstances where visitation is completely restricted  include rooms where patients are undergoing an aerosol generating procedure, and those under  investigation for COVID-19 exposure or who have tested positive for the virus. Visitation should  continue to be prioritized for those visitors important for the patient’s physical or emotional well being and care.  

Inpatient Unit: visitation will be allowed for two adult visitors per day between the hours of 11:00am – 8:00pm for patients who are not on isolation precautions. Screeners will call station 1 when inpatient visitors present for approval.

ED: one adult visitor per patient without isolation precautions will be allowed for any extended stay ED patient, or special consideration. Two visitors will be allowed if patient is a minor. Visitation will be determined by the ED staff and communicated to the patient/visitor as not all rooms are private rooms and additional patient safety evaluation will be made.  

Surgical Services: one visitor/support person will be allowed per patient to be present during  the intake process. Visitors must remain masked and with the patient during the visit. After the  intake process, the visitor will be asked to wait in their car during the procedure then will be  called and brought back in to be present during the discharge process.  

All Visitors MUST:  

  • Be healthy and 18 years or older.
  • Pass screening at the Hospital entrance; stay masked at all times, which means no eating or drinking in the patient’s room.
  • Limit interactions with others in the Hospital by staying at least 6 feet away from others.
  • Limit movement in the facility and remain in the room with the patient they are visiting.
  • Limit touching surfaces within the Hospital.
  • Frequently wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after contact.
  • Visitors, regardless of their vaccination status, should wear a hospital issued facemask covering the nose and mouth at all times for source control.

Visitation Regulations

The following are general guidelines for visitors:

  • Visitors may not smoke inside the hospital or outside the building. PVH is a smoke-free campus which includes our parking lots.
  • Visitors must dress appropriately and must wear shirts and shoes.
  • People with colds, sore throats or any contagious diseases should not visit patients.
  • Visits should be kept short.
  • Visitors should help maintain a quiet environment and avoid unnecessary noise.
  • Visitors may be asked to leave the room during tests or treatments or when the doctor or nurse needs to speak privately with the patient.
  • More liberal visiting arrangements may be made depending on the nature of the patient’s stay at PVH.

Sometimes, patients in the hospital are being treated for infections or communicable diseases that will require all who enter the room to take extra steps to prevent the spread of the illness. In these instances, hospital staff and visitors are asked to honor specific “isolation precautions.” Isolation precautions are the methods that all hospitals implement to keep germs from spreading. When a patient is undergoing treatment for infection, a STOP sign will be placed on the patient’s door. The STOP sign is designed to politely remind visitors that they need to speak with a nurse prior to entering the room.

Following these safety precautions is essential to protect yourself, your family, the patients and hospital staff. The hospital provides protective coverings free of charge in a compartment on the outside of the patient’s door. These coverings include gowns, gloves, and masks if needed. Please ask the nurse for assistance before entering the room.

Places to Stay in Lincoln

Hospitalists

The Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in caring for patients during their stay in the hospital. They are the physicians who organize the patient’s care between departments and serve as the point of contact for other doctors and nurses, including the patient’s primary care physician (PCP). Since the Hospitalists now cover the service 24/7 in-house, they are able to meet with families after regular business hours. This is much more convenient for many working families who may have missed rounding during the day. If you have a loved one in the hospital, simply ask your nurse any time you would like to meet with the Hospitalist.

Chaplaincy Program

Hospital chaplains are available around the clock at PVH to provide spiritual support for patients, family members, and hospital staff. Chaplains work closely with the patient care staff at PVH and are an integral part of our healthcare team. The spiritual services they provide are interfaith.

Announcing your Medical Wishes with an Advance Directive

If you have specific medical wishes, please print and complete this Advance Directive. Be sure to distribute copies to our hospital, your physicians, and family. An Advance Directive is an essential part of your medical care, especially when you are unable to speak your wishes in a medical emergency. Everybody should have an Advance Directive on file.