On Wednesday, the Lehigh Valley Health Network lifted some restrictions that were put temporarily in place due to the COVID-19 crisis."During the past 10 weeks, we implemented many processes– such as visitor temperature screenings at entrances – to help keep everyone safe in our facilities. These safety measures have proven to be very effective. Now, as our hospitals continue to see declines in the number of COVID-19 cases across the region we serve, we are ready to welcome back visitors into select areas to provide support and companionship to our hospitalized patients." LVHN said in a press release.
The following visitation guidelines will take effect Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
In hospitals and inpatient facilities, visitors are allowed in these circumstances:
- Labor and delivery and postpartum areas: One partner/support person may stay the duration of the hospitalization.
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): One set of parents or authorized representatives may visit.
- Hospitalized patients age 18 and younger: One set of parents or authorized representatives may visit.
- Patients with developmental disability, major neurocognitive disorder or dementia: One designated support person essential to patient care may visit.
- Non-COVID-19 medical surgical/low-level monitoring units: One healthy support person may visit daily for the duration of the hospitalization.
- Patients ready to be discharged from the hospital: One healthy support person may visit to assist as necessary.
- Emergency department: One healthy visitor may accompany a patient.
- Non-COVID-19 patients who are at end-of-life: Two healthy visitors may visit at a time.
- COVID-19 patients who are at end-of-life: Two healthy visitors my visit at a time.
Healthy visitors are allowed under these guidelines:
- Visitors will have their temperature taken and will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19.
- Visitors will be asked to provide a prior history of any COVID-19 diagnosis.
- Visitors will wear a face mask at all times. A mask will be provided to those who arrive without one.
- Visitors will be allowed in the patient room only and should not visit other areas in the hospital.
- No visitors under age 18 will be permitted except for visits to patients at the end of life.
Visitors recovering from COVID-19 will be allowed if:
- Ten days have passed since they developed symptoms.
- They have been fever-free without the use of antipyretic medications (used to reduce fever) for three days.
- They have experienced an improvement in other symptoms.
In hospitals and inpatient facilities, visitors are not allowed in these areas:
- Non-COVID-19 intensive care units
- COVID-19 intensive care units
- COVID-19 medical surgical/low-level monitoring units
- Same-day surgery
COVID-FREE hospitals
- LVHN–Tilghman
- Coordinated Health Allentown–1503 N. Cedar Crest Blvd.
- Coordinated Health Bethlehem–2310 Highland Ave.